Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

Introducing Ronstan Orbit Winches and QuickTrim Technology

by Phil Anniss 7 Jun 2023 01:00 PDT
Introducing Orbit Winches and QuickTrim Technology © Ronstan

Ronstan have just launched an all new range of Aluminium Self-tailing Orbit Winches in three sizes plus an innovative new QuickTrim feature which allows the line to be eased without removing the handle or the line from the self-tailer.

In this article we highlight the main features and benefits of this exciting new sailing winch range which has been four years in the making.

Key Features

Ronstan Orbit Winches have drawn on the success of Andersen for their drum and gear design. Andersen have a strong reputation for durability and reliability and their Power Rib drum design ensures controlled grip at all times, smooth release of the line under the highest loads, whilst minimizing abrasion on the line.

The winches have an aluminium central stem and a machined aluminium drum, which makes them significantly lighter than the competition. For example, the Ronstan Orbit Winch 40 weighs 700g lighter than Harkens Performa 40 racing winch - see a comparison.

The winches all have very low line entry heights plus an extra set of ball bearings which carry the thrust loads whilst the radial bearings the radial load, which minimizes rotational friction.

The range currently consists of 3 sizes: 20, 30, and 40 for boats up to 12m (however we anticipate more sizes will be added to the range over the coming years). The size 20 is a standard 1-speed self-tailing drum but the 2-speed 30 and 40 sizes feature an all-new, patented, QuickTrim function.

QuickTrim

QuickTrim allows the release of the line without removing the line from the self-tailer, or the winch handle from the drum. This means it is perfect for small sail trim adjustments, enabling sailors can respond instantaneously to small changes in winch speed and direction.

With one hand on the sheet you can rotate the upper plate of the self-tailing jaw anti-clockwise, against spring pressure, which releases the bottom jaw to rotate, and the line to ease out through the self-tailing system. When the top cover is allowed to spring back, it locks the line securely again in the self-tailer.

From the factory the Orbit 30QT and 40QT are delivered as a standard self-tailing drum, however the QuickTrim feature can be enabled by the user by removing a single screw on the self-tailer (full operating instructions included).

Easy Servicing - No Tools required

Another key feature of this range is that the winch can be fully disassembled and serviced without the need for any tools. There is a spring-loaded release latch which, in combination with a slight anticlockwise rotation, allows the self-tailing arm to be lifted from the winch, and then the drum from the stem.

This functional locking mechanism also means the self-tailing arm can be fitted back on the drum in any one of eight positions on the drum (every 45 degrees).

Summary

This product launch has been kept extremely quiet and has been a long time in the making. Ronstan have taken everything they have learned with their extremely popular Andersen cruising stainless steel winches and combined that with their extensive deck hardware development experience, to produce a ground-breaking new range of winches.

They are clearly making a statement of intent for the 30-40ft race boat market with this light, strong, functional and competitively priced product.

If you have any questions about Ronstan Orbit Winches you can contact us at or browse the range online on the link below:

Ronstan Orbit Winches

Related Articles

Soft shackles are a win-win solution
Upffront look at their use across multiple applications Soft shackles have surely penetrated the mainstream sailing in recent years. They are a popular alternative to traditional metal shackles. Made from single braid Dyneema® soft shackles offer several advantages over their metal counterparts. Posted on 8 Feb 2024
Vakaros Atlas 2 - sailing with ultimate precision
A careful review by the experts at upffront.com Recently upffront.com have introduced the latest Vakaros Atlas 2 sailing instrument to the shop and compared it in a review of other top sailing instruments. Posted on 25 Jan 2024
Sailing instruments from Velocitek/Sailmon/Vakaros
An introduction and comparison from Upffront.com The term 'sailing instrument' is broadly applicable to just about any onboard system with a sensor and a readout. While wired instrument systems are common, in this blog we discuss portable GPS sailing instruments from Velocitek, Sailmon and Vakaros. Posted on 11 Jan 2024
Performance Code Zero Furlers
Options from KZ Racefurlers put under the spotlight We are pleased to introduce KZ Racefurlers to the upffront.com website. Racing sailors will need little introduction, as KZ have been gracing the bows of grand prix race boats for almost 30 years. Posted on 28 Jan 2023
How to Choose a Spinlock Deckvest
The main consideration is usage and application Lifejacket pioneers Spinlock are renowned for their sleek, comfortable to wear, high-spec lifejackets. In a previous article, we introduced the full range of Deckvests and took a look at the features and benefits of each. Posted on 16 Sep 2021
Best Sailing Boat Blocks in 2021
Review covers soft attach, snatch looper, open ring, beckets and more In this article we take a quick look at what is new and/or interesting in the sailing block world in 2021. Harken continue to develop soft attach blocks. Morfrac Systems are developing their product line to include becket versions of their blocks. Posted on 7 Sep 2021
Make Waves with nke Marine Electronics
Innovative systems for racing or cruising It's the age of information, and global technological advancements have revolutionised our lives and industries alike. As with many others, the sailing industry has benefitted from the introduction of marine electronics that make it easier. Posted on 23 Nov 2018
Introduction to Core Fibres in Modern Ropes
The majority are polyester or Dyneema There are many core materials used in rope making (e.g. Vectran®, PBO, polypropylene, hemp, nylon etc) but the vast majority of modern ropes are based on a polyester, or increasingly, a Dyneema® core. Get a basic introduction here. Posted on 9 Nov 2018
High Performance, Low Hassle Family Cruising
The radical - but not too radical - 39BEN How do you design a cruising boat that's fast enough to get your competitive juices flowing, but without scaring the family? That's been the challenge for Alex Vrolijk, who has drawn the lines for the radical - but not too radical - 39BEN. Posted on 26 Oct 2018
Pontos Winches Get 'Karverized' part 2
What makes the design so unique? In our previous post, Upffront broke the news that Karver Systems had acquired Brittany based Pontos and their range of innovative winches. Now operating under the name 'Pontos by Karver' it's time to consider: what makes the design so unique? Posted on 22 Oct 2018
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERArmstrong 728x90 - A-Wing XPS - BOTTOM