Solid muscle, max speed

Higher speeds have been the principal objective of our upgrades, to facilitate faster manoeuvring and more rapid setting of sails. The new 8,000 – 32,000 kg pulling power (or greater, designed to order) models are built around the tried-and-tested Rondal concept, but with the addition of a specially designed new gear box allowing speeds of up to 150 m/minute – almost triple that of the original. When the line is unloaded, the winch will rapidly reel in; as the load increases, the gearbox will automatically switch through the gears to reduce speed and increase pulling force. The variable displacement hydraulic motor operates in sync to achieve a speed range from 5m/min to 150 m/min.

There is a range of custom options for versatility and the best systems set-up including the installation of separate switches for manual gear selection if desired.  With such high speeds, safety is clearly an issue so a further set-up option currently under development is the ability to select between cruising mode, with a lower speed range; and racing mode, where higher speeds can be managed more safely by a larger crew, with high levels of racing experience.

The complete captive winch system includes a new Rondal feeder that has been upgraded for higher speed operation, doing away with the need for crew to handle flogging sheets – a great contribution to safety on board.