Ronstan built a new range of aluminum winches using their experience in making Andersen Stainless Steel Winches ®. This valuable experience established high standards for reliability, efficiency, and user satisfaction. The new winches were developed with specific priorities in mind, such as material selection, weight optimization, dimensions, gear and power ratios, manufacturing processes, surface finish, and performance.

During the Orbit Winch™ project, the initial focus was on three sizes designed for boats up to approximately 40 ft. (12 mt.), where Ronstan is known for their comprehensive and competitive deck hardware range. Within a year, the first prototypes underwent multiple rounds of design refinement and testing. By the second year, on-the-water testing was conducted in various locations across Australia and Europe.

Afterward, meticulous attention was given to the intricate details of tooling and manufacturing, resulting in remarkable outcomes. Introducing the new Ronstan range of lightweight alloy winches, which offer exceptional performance, strong line grip, tool-free disassembly convenience, and the innovative QuickTrim™ self-tailer with its unique patented design.

Anatomy of a Ronstan Orbit Winch

Introducing QuickTrim™

The QuickTrim™ self-tailer is an innovative feature that allows sailors to effortlessly adjust line tension for small sail trim changes without removing the winch handle or releasing the line from the self-tailer. This provides a significant advantage to racing sailors, enabling them to respond instantly to subtle shifts in wind or steering. It's also a convenient feature for cruising sailors.

Using QuickTrim™ on the water is easy and becomes second nature. With one hand on the sheet, rotating the top cover of the winch counterclockwise against the spring pressure allows the self-tailer to rotate smoothly like a sheave while easing the rope out. The drum surface and Power Ribs™ ensure a secure grip and smooth control. Releasing the top cover allows the self-tailer to lock and grip the line again for regular use. This straightforward and reliable feature is particularly advantageous when frequently adjusting sheet and halyard tension.

The Orbit 30QT and 40QT winches come from the factory as traditional two-speed self-tailing winches. The QuickTrim™ feature can be enabled by the user by removing a single screw located within the self-tailer. Step-by-step instructions are included in the Quick Reference Guide provided with the winch, as well as in the Product Manual, available on the "Knowledge Base" tab of each of the products.

Power Ribs™

Drawing inspiration from the unique drum design of Andersen winches, Ronstan's Orbit Winches™ feature Power Ribs™ integrated into their precision-machined drums. These Power Ribs™ ensure exceptional line control, providing a secure grip while minimizing wear on the rope.

The outstanding gripping capability of the Power Ribs™ brings numerous advantages: fewer wraps are needed around the drum, reducing the load on the self tailer and facilitating smooth upward movement of the line to prevent any entanglements. The drum's non-abrasive surface extends the lifespan of running rigging and enables effortless and controlled line easing, even when subjected to high loads.

No tools required

You can easily disassemble and reassemble the winch without requiring any tools. To remove the drum, simply pull back the spring-loaded release latch and rotate it slightly anti-clockwise. This will allow you to lift the self-tailing arm from the winch, and then you can remove the drum from the center stem.

When reassembling, reverse the steps in the same order. You will hear an audible click to confirm that the self-tailing arm has securely engaged with the bayonet notches on the center stem. These notches enable the self-tailing arm to lock into one of 8 positions, each separated by a 45-degree rotation increment.

Selection Guide

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