General Information Why should I equip my boat with electric winches?Electric winches make it possible to sail bigger boats shorthanded. Crew can perform any task onboard, regardless of their strength, size, or physical condition. With the push of a button, crew can sheet the jib in high winds and execute other heavily-loaded tasks. Jobs such as trimming the mainsail are effortless. When conditions get rough, trimming by push button often allows you to keep sailing instead of motoring.Do all electric winches have two speeds? Harken electric winches are 2-speed in both manual and electric modes, while some manufacturers' electric winches are 2-speed in manual mode, but only one speed in electric. The ability to choose a winch operating speed is always an advantage. For example, in light air you can sheet the genoa with the fast first gear and fine-tune in second.For fast line speeds, winches size 60 and up can be special-ordered with three speeds. How do I switch gears?You can press one of two switch buttons for the desired speed.What systems should I power?Electric winch systems commonly trim the genoa sheets and the main halyard. In many cases, it's possible to lead the main halyard back to a powered primary winch. In addition, electric winches can furl mainsails, raise the anchor, or help dock the boat.How do I size electric winches? Always size electric winches for the highest load. For example, if you use the winch for both the halyard and genoa sheet, size the winch for the load of the genoa sheet. See Ordering Winches.Can I use a winch handle to manually operate my electric winch?Yes. Inserting the winch handle into an unloaded winch automatically disconnects the electric motor and allows you to use the first and second speeds just like a manual winch. This is important if you've lost power on the boat. If power is restored, the lockout prevents the winch handle from turning.  Switches are also available with guard covers to prevent accidental starts. Is the