ORBIT WINCH™ STORY
Laying the foundation for a new range of aluminium winches, Ronstan was able to draw on years of experience manufacturing Andersen Stainless Steel Winches® within our own operations in Denmark. This experience was invaluable, setting the standard for reliability, mechanical efficiency and an unparalleled user experience. For everything else, the new winches were developed from the deck up with different priorities determining material selection, weight optimisation, dimensions, gear and power ratios, manufacturing processes, surface finish, and performance.
When the Orbit Winch™ project started to take shape, the initial focus of research and development was on three sizes specifically for boats up to about 12m, where Ronstan is renowned for its comprehensive and competitive deck hardware range. Within a year the first prototypes had commenced multiple rounds of design concept refinements and testing, so that in the second year of the project we could start on-the-water testing in various locations around Australia and Europe.
Attention then turned to the fine detail of tooling and manufacturing, and the results are remarkable. Introducing the new Ronstan range of lightweight alloy winches, featuring race-ready performance, impressive line grip, the convenience of disassembly without tools, and the introduction of the unique, patented QuickTrim™ self tailer*.
Anatomy of an Orbit Winch™
1.
No tools required for configuration and servicing
2.
Sprung self-tailing jaws to accept 7 - 12mm line
3.
Aluminium centre stem, lighter weight compared to bronze stems
4.
Low line entry due to gearing configuration geometry
5.
Proven Andersen winch gearing configuration
6.
QuickTrim™ patented self-tailing feature for rapid sail trim and smooth adjustment
7.
Power Rib™ ensures a controlled grip at all times, whether tensioning or easing
8.
Machined aluminium drum, stronger and lighter than traditional cast aluminium drums
9.
Ball bearings carry the thrust loads, roller bearings carry the radial loads of the drum to minimise rotational friction
INTRODUCING QUICKTRIM™
The innovative QuickTrim™ self tailer allows sailors to easily and safely ease line tension to make minor sail trim adjustments without having to remove the winch handle or take the line out of the self tailer. Racing sailors can react and respond instantly to minor changes in wind direction or steering, providing an unmatched advantage when frequent sail trim adjustments are required. It’s also a nice convenience for cruising sailors.
On the water, using QuickTrim™ is intuitive and quickly becomes second nature. With one hand on the tail of the sheet, rotating the top cover of the winch anti-clockwise against spring pressure allows the self tailer to turn beneath it like a sheave as the rope is eased out, with smooth grip and control assured by the drum surface and Power Ribs™. When the top cover is allowed to spring back, the self tailer locks again and grips the line to resume normal use. This simple, reliable feature is a real advantage when making frequent minor adjustments to sheet and halyard tension.
As delivered from the factory, the Orbit 30QT and 40QT operate as a traditional two-speed self-tailing winch. The QuickTrim™ feature is enabled by the user, simply 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, and in the product manual available from the Ronstan website.
POWER RIBS™
Inspired by the distinctive drum profile of Andersen winches, Power Ribs™ have been incorporated into the fully machined drums of Ronstan’s Orbit Winches™ to deliver the same impressive line handling with maximum grip and minimal rope wear.
The exceptional grip provided by the Power Ribs™ offers a multitude of benefits: requiring fewer wraps around the drum, reducing the load held in the self tailer, and encouraging the line to slide easily upward on the drum to avoid riding turns. The non-abrasive drum surface extends the service life of running rigging and allows for smooth and controlled easing, even under high loads.
NO TOOLS REQUIRED
Full disassembly and reassembly can conveniently be performed without the need for any tools. To remove the drum, pull back the spring-loaded release latch and a slight anti-clockwise rotation will allow the self-tailing arm to be lifted from the winch. From there, the drum can be removed from the winch centre stem.
When completing reassembly in reverse order, an audible click confirms positive engagement between the self-tailing arm and bayonet notches on the centre stem. These notches allow the self-tailing arm to be locked in one of 8 positions at rotational increments of 45 degrees.
