Antal is one of the leading winch manufacturers in performance sailing, with a reputation built on engineering quality and innovative design. Antal winch portfolio is extensive, spanning everything from simple manual winches for smaller yachts to advanced powered systems for larger cruising and racing yachts. In this article we focus on the manual Antal winches (standard and self-tailing) and the powered electric ranges, excluding hydraulics, to provide a clear overview of the options available under the Antal winches banner.
Standard Manual Antal Winches
Antal’s standard winch range provides straightforward, reliable solutions for smaller yachts and traditional sailors.
Snubbing winch (W5) – A basic glass-fibre resin model without a handle, ideal for very small yachts and dinghies.
One direct speed winches (W6, W7, W8) – Compact, lightweight designs with simple operation. The W6 features a resin drum, while the W7 upgrades to a hard-anodised aluminium drum. The W8 adds stainless steel and roller bearings for higher durability.
Two-speed winches (W16, W30, W42) – These combine a direct gear for fast recovery and a reduced gear for higher loads. Bronze gears, stainless central rods and anodised or chrome drums provide strength and longevity.
Two reduced-speed winches (W44, W48, W52) – Larger manual winches offering higher mechanical advantage for yachts up to around 12–13 m.
This range covers the fundamentals: robust build, straightforward servicing, and the flexibility of aluminium or chrome finishes.
Antal XT Self-Tailing Winches
The Antal XT winch series represents their most advanced self-tailing technology, available in multiple finishes and performance options.
Self-tailing system: Spring-loaded disks adapt automatically to line diameter, while vertical knurling on the drum ensures secure grip with controlled rope release under overload.
Materials and finishes: Options include hard-anodised aluminium (lightweight and durable), fully chromed (aesthetic and corrosion-resistant), and racing versions with weight-optimised components. Classic bronze finishes are also available.
Sizes and speeds:
- Smaller models (XT16, XT30) are single-speed but optimised for powerful pulls.
- Mid-sizes (XT40–XT62) provide two reduced speeds, with options for electric motor integration.
- Larger models (XT66–XT80.3) include two- and three-speed versions, supporting very high line loads.
- The new XT76 fills the gap between XT66 and XT80, offering a large drum on oversized bearings for efficiency under extreme load.
Antal Self Tailing Winch
The XT range is Antal’s flagship manual/self-tailing winch solution and forms the platform for their powered versions.
Powered Antal Winches
For larger yachts and demanding applications, Antal offers powered winches across the XT range and maxi series. These are available as electric horizontal drive, electric vertical drive, or hydraulic (excluded here).
Electric Antal Winches
All models from XT40 up to XT80.3, plus the maxi W80.3ST and W90.3ST, can be fitted with electric motors:
- Drive configurations – Horizontal motors use worm gears for compact installations, while vertical motors on larger winches employ high-efficiency hypocycloidal gearboxes.
- Voltage options – electric Antal winches are available in 12V and 24V across the range, with 48V systems offered on many larger models to suit modern yacht electrical installations.
- Manual override – Inserting a handle disengages the motor, ensuring safety and usability in case of electrical failure.
- Speeds – Retain two or three gear options in both manual and powered operation, allowing rapid recovery and fine control under load.
Antal Electric Winches
Electric Maxi Winches
For yachts over 20 m, the W80.3 and W90.3 winches are available with electric drives. These Antal Maxi Winches are heavy-duty, three-speed self-tailing units designed for extreme sheet and halyard loads.
Antal Winch Selection
The first step in buying any boat winch is choosing the correct size for your yacht and application. Boat winch specifications and recommended sizes vary between manufacturers, and Antal provide a detailed sizing guide to simplify the process.
In most cases, owners will be replacing like-for-like, swapping out an old Antal winch for the same model or its current equivalent. However, there are two other common scenarios where careful review is essential:
Upgrading underpowered winches – If your current winches are struggling with loads, it may be appropriate to move up a size.
Switching from another manufacturer – Each brand has different sizing recommendations, so Antal’s guide should be consulted to ensure proper matching.
We recommend studying Antal’s official Winch Selection Guide (PDF) before committing to a purchase.
Conclusion on Antal Winches
The Antal winches range is characterised by its modularity: starting from simple manual units for smaller yachts, progressing through the advanced XT self-tailing system, and extending into high-load powered solutions for large cruising and racing yachts. For owners, the benefit is a consistent design philosophy and service approach across all scales of boat and application.
At Upffront, we stock a wide selection of Antal winches. You can explore the full range directly in our winches category, filtered for Antal.
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Antal Winches – Manual, Self-Tailing and Electric Winch Range Explained