Harken has an extensive winch range, split into two primary families: Harken Radial Winches and Harken Performa Winches.
At first glance, the distinction seems simple. Harken Radial Winches are generally positioned as the cruising and performance-cruising range, while Harken Performa Winches are aimed more at race boats and higher-performance projects. In practice, the difference is more technical than that.
This article looks at the key differences between Harken Radial Winches and Harken Performa Winches, so you can choose the right winch range for your boat, your rope package, and the way you sail.
Harken Radial Winches and Harken Performa Winches: The Basic Difference
The Harken Radial Winches line is loosely described as the cruising range, with Harken Performa Winches orientated more towards performance applications.
Performa winches bridge the gap between standard aluminium winches and grand prix carbon winches, with an approximate 20% price premium over the equivalent Radial size.
Both Harken Radial Winches and Harken Performa Winches are available across a complete range of configurations, including:
- Manual winches
- Hydraulic winches
- 1-speed, 2-speed and 3-speed models
So the choice is not simply about whether you want manual or powered winches. The more important question is what type of line you are using, how much grip you need, and how much rope wear is acceptable for your sailing programme.
Harken Radial Winches vs. Harken Performa Winches
So how do the technical specifications of an aluminium size 40, 2-speed, self-tailing, Harken Radial Winches and Harke Performa winches compare?
Attribute | Radial 40.2STA | Performa 40.2STP |
Drum diameter (mm) | 80 | 80 |
Height (mm) | 175 | 175 |
Weight (kg) | 3,8 | 3,8 |
Line entry Height (mm) | 82 | 82 |
Line Min (mm) | 8 | 8 |
Line Max (mm) | 12 | 12 |
Gear Ratio 1 | 2,13 | 2,13 |
Gear Ratio 2 | 6,28 | 6,28 |
Power Ratio 1 | 13,5 | 39,9 |
Power Ratio 2 | 13,5 | 39,9 |
On the face of it, there is very little between them. The size, weight, line range, gear ratios and power ratios are effectively the same.
So where are the real differences between these two Harken winch ranges?
The answer lies in drum finish, rope grip, self-tailer geometry, bearing support and maintenance design.
When Harken Radial Winches Are the Better Choice
If you are looking for chrome or brass drums, these are only available within the Harken Radial Winches range.
Similarly, single-speed electric winches and Harken Rewind winches — powered in both directions — sit under the Harken Radial Winches brand.
Harken Performa Winches are only sold in black aluminium and, in the electric and hydraulic ranges, are generally available with two or more speeds.
For many cruising yachts, performance cruisers and club-racing boats, Harken Radial Winches will be the more suitable option. They are especially appropriate where the sheets and halyards are double braid polyester, or where the boat uses Dyneema® core ropes with relatively standard covers.
Harken Radial Winch
The Key Technical Differences Between Harken Radial and Performa Winches
The main differences between aluminium Harken Performa Winches and Harken Radial Winches come down to four subtle but important technical factors.
1. Sand-Blasted Drum Finish
Like the Harken Radial winch, the Harken Performa winch drum has ribs designed to drive the line down the drum when easing. The primary difference is the sand-blasted finish on the Performa drum. This increases grip on the line, which means higher loads can be held with fewer wraps on the winch. For race crews, that can save valuable seconds during manoeuvres.
The downside is increased line abrasion. Modern high-tech line covers are specifically designed to manage high abrasion levels and the heat generated when easing under load. However, standard cruising lines on a Harken Performa winch may suffer rapid and excessive wear.
This is one of the most important distinctions between Harken Radial Winches and Harken Performa Winches. The Performa drum is optimised for grip and performance; the Radial drum is generally the more appropriate match for standard cruising rope covers.
2. Self-Tailing Jaw Design
One of the biggest advantages of stronger, higher-performance running rigging is that the line diameter can often be reduced. The composite self-tailing jaws on Harken Performa Winches are narrower than those on Harken Radial Winches. This helps them grip smaller-diameter, stiffer, high-performance lines more securely.
For boats using specialist racing rope packages, this is a meaningful advantage. For boats using more conventional sheet and halyard covers, the broader self-tailer geometry of the Radial range is often the more practical choice.
3. Ball Thrust Bearings
Although the maximum power ratios are the same for a given winch size, Performa winches are generally used harder. Race crews tend to load winches aggressively, especially during high-load trimming, mark roundings and powered manoeuvres. To support this type of use, Harken Performa Winches include an additional set of ball thrust bearings.
These bearings help reduce friction and wear under the highest loads. This does not mean that Harken Radial Winches are under-engineered. It simply reflects the different operating environment: Radial winches are aimed at cruising and performance-cruising use, while Performa winches are built around the demands of high-load race applications.
4. Integrated Skirt Design
The final subtle difference is the integrated skirt on Harken Performa Winches. On a Performa winch, the drum is a single piece of aluminium that covers the whole base down to the deck. This means fewer parts and quicker, easier maintenance.
For race boats, where winches are serviced frequently and small time savings matter, that is a useful design advantage.
Harken Radial Winches or Performa Winches: Which Should You Choose?
The distinction between Harken Radial Winches and Harken Performa Winches is relatively clear once you look at the rope package.
If your sheets and halyards are double braid polyester, or even performance SK78 Dyneema® core lines with relatively standard covers, then Harken Radial Winches are likely to be the correct choice.
They offer the broadest range of configurations, including chrome and brass drum options, single-speed electric models and Rewind winches. They are also generally better matched to standard cruising and performance-cruising rope covers.
It is only when you start optimising your running rigging with high-tech specialist cover materials that Harken Performa Winches become the more obvious upgrade.
Even then, the decision is not automatic. You need to weigh the improved grip and performance against increased rope wear and potentially higher maintenance demands.
Conclusion: Harken Radial Winches for Most Cruising Applications, Performa for Specialist Rope Packages
For most cruising yachts and performance cruisers, Harken Radial Winches will be the natural choice. They provide a wide range of manual, electric and hydraulic options, are available in more drum finishes, and are better suited to standard cruising rope packages.
Harken Performa Winches make sense where the boat is using smaller-diameter, high-performance lines with specialist covers, and where maximum grip, reduced wraps and race-focused handling are priorities.
In simple terms:
- Choose Harken Radial Winches if you are using standard cruising or performance-cruising lines.
- Consider Harken Performa Winches if your running rigging package is built around high-tech racing covers and you are prepared to accept the trade-off in rope wear.
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The Differences Between Harken Radial Winches and Harken Performa Winches