Harken 8 in. Bronze Single-Grip Locking Winch Handle B8BL
- Brand:
- Harken
- Part no:
- B8BL
Image: mauripro.com
Where to buy
Specifications
- Length
- 8 in
- Locking
- Yes
- Grip
- Single
This is Harken's B8BL, an 8 inch winch handle made of bronze with a single hand grip. The grip turns on a low-friction ball bearing, so it spins smoothly in your hand as you crank. It is a locking handle: a thumb switch locks it into the winch or releases it. The maker lists strength and durability among its features.
Our take
The ball bearing in the single grip is low-friction, so the grip can turn freely in your hand while the effort goes into the winch. The thumb switch locks the 8 inch bronze handle in or releases it, so you choose when it stays put.
From our buying guide
Harken says its handles fit international standard winch sockets and other makers' winches, except old bronze Merriman-style ones. Length sets the leverage: Harken says an 8 in grinds faster but gives 20% less power than a 10 in.
Check before you buy:
- The real length is what you expect, since lengths are nominal. Barton's 8 inch handle measures 225 mm.
- Locking or plain suits you. Lewmar weighs the security of a lock-in against the flexibility of a traditional handle, and Harken says racers prefer plain.
- It floats, if that matters to you. Lewmar says its composite Titan handles float if dropped overboard.
Photo: Egor Myznik on Unsplash