Brushless drive moves the motor into the winch
The new Unipower 500/900 AD models use brushless motors and package the entire drive assembly inside the winch body. Harken says the arrangement reduces both weight and installation volume while improving energy efficiency compared with more conventional configurations that place a motor and gearbox below deck.
That packaging is especially relevant to sailing yachts in the LYG size range, where space beneath the coachroof can be crowded by cabinetry, deck hardware, ventilation and electrical systems. Removing a separate motor from below deck can free useful volume and simplify the route between the winch, wiring and supporting structure.
The electrical architecture works across common yacht voltages
For yachts using 12 or 24 V systems, Harken offers a dedicated DC-to-DC converter, while 48 V installations can connect directly to the winch. The company says the lower energy demand of the brushless system can also make it possible to retain existing cabling in suitable retrofit projects rather than automatically replacing the entire electrical run.
Refit suitability still depends on cable sizing, protection, battery capacity and the loads imposed by the installation, so owners should treat the wiring claim as a design starting point rather than a universal shortcut. A competent marine electrician and rigger will need to confirm whether an existing circuit meets the requirements of a particular yacht and sail plan.
Captive Multilayer winches extend line capacity
Harken is also showing new Captive Multilayer 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0T winches at Genoa. Unlike traditional captive systems that wind line in a single layer, the new design uses a free-running drum arrangement intended to keep the rope controlled while allowing it to build across several layers.
The practical advantage is greater line length for a given drum size, which can help designers or refit teams where machinery volume is limited. On performance cruisers and larger sailing yachts, managing more rope without proportionally increasing the physical footprint can make it easier to integrate powered sail handling into a cleaner interior and deck plan.
New titanium padeyes target low-profile deck installations
The Genoa display also includes titanium Flush Deck Padeyes with an adjustable base that aligns the fitting with the direction of load. Five sizes cover stated working loads from three to sixteen tonnes, and Harken positions the fittings for both new builds and refits where low-profile deck hardware is a priority.
Together with the new Aperture Rings and other sail-handling hardware, the products show a consistent focus on reducing bulk while preserving load capability. For LYG sailors, the most directly relevant development is the compact Unipower package because it addresses one of the recurring compromises on medium-size luxury yachts: adding powered assistance without sacrificing valuable accommodation or technical space.
Official sources: www.pressmare.it.
