Rewind Radial Electric Winches Q&A

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Rewind Radial Electric Winches Q&A

What can a Rewind winch do as a primary sheet winch that a conventional winch cannot?
With a Rewind winch, the jib trimmer on your primary winch doesn't have to sit on or crawl down to leeward side every time to ease the sheet. Install a set of buttons on the weather side or at the helm to avoid the hassle and keep weight where it's needed.

What modes does a Rewind have?
The Rewind winch has three modes of operation: 1-speed electric with forward and rewind, 2-speed electric forward (trim only), and 2-speed manual forward (trim only). A red knob on the winch switches between standard 2-speed and rewind modes and the insertion of a winch handle disengages the electric motor.

Can I use a hydraulic motor?
The Rewind is only available for electric motors.

Can I use a UniPower™ motor?
UniPower winches are equipped with their own unique motor designed and installed inside the drum with special gearing.

Does the Rewind take up more space or require a second motor?
The Rewind uses a typical horizontal motor and includes an automatic safety clutch that extends an additional 53 mm horizontally.

Does the Rewind function work in manual mode?
No, the benefit of an electric reversing winch is that a motor allows totally hands-off sail adjustment. There is a 2-speed manual mode included but the intent of a Rewind reversing winch is to eliminate the need to go to the winch to ease and trim.

How do I optimize my Rewind winches for shorthanded sailing?
Rewind winches make shorthanded sailing much easier because there isn’t a need for anyone to physically ease the sheet. The best way to take advantage of this is to put controls near shorthanded crew positions such as the helm.

How do I optimize my Rewind winches for cruising?
With remote button controls, sails can be adjusted without even interrupting conversation or setting down a drink. Simply install an additional set of buttons near the helm, on the weather side, or other convenient locations.

How do I optimize my Rewind winches for racing?
You may leave the Rewind in the Forward/Rewind mode while racing, but many racers prefer the speed of manually easing the winch. Simply turn the red knob on the side of the winch to the right to engage 2-speed mode, then insert a locking handle to disengage the motor for manual operation.

Where do I position the self-tailing arm?
Rotate the self-tailing arm until it guides the stripped line into the cockpit. Test it to make sure there isn't anything for the sheet to get wrapped around because the tailed end must be free when you engage the rewind function.

The self-tailing jaws look crooked—should the bottom jaw be at an angle to the top?
Yes, this patented design grips the line from the back to allow the sheet free movement at the front when changing directions.

How to Operate

How many wraps should I put on the drum?
Four wraps should be put on the drum. The sheet load should be held by the components designed for the highest loads, such as the drum, not just the self-tailer.

Can I turn off the Rewind function?
Yes, the winch has 3 modes: electric 2-speed, rewind mode, and manual 2-speed. A red knob on the winch switches the winch between 1st/2nd speeds and forward/rewind. Insert a locking winch handle to use it as a 2-speed manual winch.

What if the tailed line gets wrapped around something?
The automatic safety clutch in the reverse direction disengages the winch from the motor if there is resistance on the tail of the line. The rewind function does not guarantee a tidy cockpit. Before touching any buttons, it is critical to visually check that the winch and tailed line in the cockpit can run freely.

Do I need to take the line out of the self-tailer or do anything to use the rewind function?
No, when in rewind mode, simply press the button. The self-tailing arm is specially designed to operate in both directions. There must be some tension on the loaded side of the sheet to strip the eased sheet away from the drum.

How do I use the 2-way self-tailing arm?
The self-tailing arm is very easy to use. After making four wraps on the drum, pass the line over the self-tailing arm and continue to wrap between the jaws and through the spring-loaded rewind lead arm. The lead arm will automatically open from the line's pressure and snap shut after the line slides into place. To remove the line from the self-tailer, pull the line out of the spring-loaded rewind lead arm and out of the jaws as with any self-tailing winch.

Conventional Radial® Winches

Is there a racing disconnect for powered Radial winches?
No, permanent racing disconnect rods are not available for Radial winches. All Harken electric winches automatically disconnect the motor when a locking handle is properly inserted.

How do I find the serial number on my Radial winch?
The serial number is located on the drum support just below the lower red-roller bearing cage.

Do all winches have serial numbers?
No, only the Radial and Performa™ winches do, which includes the electric, hydraulic, UniPower, and Rewind models.

Why is the drum narrower at the bottom?
This shape combined with the surface grip keeps the line low on the drum, providing efficient and trouble-free operation.

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The Rewind Radial electric winch is the latest in Harken’s “easy sailing” solutions for cruisers, and the first winch of its kind in the marine market. Activated remotely by twin in/out buttons, the Rewind safely eases and trims highly-loaded sails in both directions without ever taking the line out of the self-tailer.

Like all Harken electric winches, the Rewind operates like a normal 2-speed electric winch. A simple flip of the red knob on the winch base turns on the rewind feature. A spring-loaded arm of investment-cast stainless steel funnels and keeps line captive as it feeds in and out of the self-tailer as the sail is adjusted with fingertip control.

Perfect for yachts 10.6 to 14.6 m (35 to 50 ft).

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