Table of Contents
- What Is Lewmar and Why Do Sailors and Boaters Trust the Brand?
- How Do You Choose the Right Lewmar Winch for Your Boat?
- What Is a Windlass and How Do You Choose the Right Lewmar Windlass?
- How Do You Choose the Right Lewmar Hatch or Portlight for Your Boat?
- What Lewmar Shallow Water Anchor and Marine Hardware Does Fawcett Stock?
- How Do You Find Lewmar Replacement Parts and Accessories?
- Where Can You Find Lewmar Marine Hardware for Your Boat?
- Frequently Asked Questions on Lewmar Marine Hardware
Lewmar marine hardware is found on production sailboats and powerboats across the world, from club racers to offshore cruisers. The brand's winches, windlasses, hatches, portlights, and anchoring systems are engineered to perform reliably under demanding conditions and to integrate cleanly into a wide range of deck layouts. Since 1948, Fawcett Boat Supplies has stocked Lewmar products and helped mariners select the correct hardware for their vessels. This guide covers the key decisions involved in choosing Lewmar winches, Lewmar windlasses, Lewmar hatches, and related hardware so you can match the right product to your boat and your sailing style.
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What Is Lewmar and Why Do Sailors and Boaters Trust the Brand?
Lewmar marine has been engineering deck hardware since 1946. The company produces a comprehensive range of Lewmar boat parts and systems covering winches, windlasses, hatches, portlights, shallow water anchors, and autopilot drive components. Lewmar marine hardware is standard equipment on many production boats from major sailboat and powerboat manufacturers worldwide, which means a large percentage of sailors already have Lewmar hardware aboard and rely on genuine Lewmar replacement parts to keep it performing correctly.
The brand's engineering focus is on reducing crew effort, improving reliability in harsh marine environments, and making installation and maintenance straightforward. Products like the EVO winch's tool-free servicing, the V-Series windlass FastFit installation system, and the Ocean hatch's friction-lever hold-open mechanism all reflect this practical design philosophy.
Fawcett Boat Supplies is an authorized Lewmar dealer stocking winches, windlasses, hatches, portlights, shallow water anchors, autopilot drives, and a full range of Lewmar parts and accessories.
How Do You Choose the Right Lewmar Winch for Your Boat?
A sailing winch provides the mechanical advantage needed to handle loaded sheets, halyards, and control lines without exhausting your crew. Choosing the right Lewmar winch involves four decisions: speed, operation, self-tailing, and size.
• Single Speed vs Two Speed
Single-speed winches are suitable for lightly loaded lines and smaller boats. Two-speed winches use a gear change, typically by reversing the handle direction, to provide a high-speed mode for pulling in slack quickly and a low-speed, high-power mode for final trimming under load. Most cruising sailors on boats 25 feet and above benefit from two-speed winches on their primary sheet positions.
• Manual vs Electric
Manual Lewmar winches are operated entirely by winch handle. Electric versions use an integrated motor that can be operated by a deck switch, allowing one crew member to handle sheets and halyards with far less physical effort. Lewmar EVO winches in sizes 40 to 80 are available with electric or hydraulic operation, making them well suited for short-handed cruising and performance sailing.
• Self-Tailing vs Standard
A self-tailing winch uses a set of jaws at the top of the drum to grip and feed the line automatically as it is trimmed, eliminating the need for a second crew member to tail the line. For most cruising applications, self-tailing winches are the practical choice.
Winch Sizing Lewmar winches are sized by number according to their designed load capacity. As a general guide:
- Sizes 6 to 16 suit smaller boats, dinghies, and lightly loaded control lines
- Sizes 30 to 40 suit mid-size keelboats for primary sheet and halyard applications
- Sizes 45 to 65 suit larger cruisers and performance keelboats with heavily loaded sail plans
Always consult Lewmar's winch selector guide to confirm the correct size for your boat's sail area and mast geometry before purchasing.
• Lewmar Ocean Series Winches
The Lewmar Ocean Series is the most widely fitted winch range in the industry. Its classic styling and proven durability have made it standard equipment on many production sailboats for decades. Key features include a strong, lightweight glass-fiber reinforced composite base, plain bearings for straightforward maintenance, no-tools servicing, and availability in both grey alloy and bronze finish. Ocean Series winches are convertible to electric operation, which makes them a practical long-term investment for sailors who may want to add power assistance in the future.
Fawcett stocks the Lewmar #14 Ocean Series Self-Tailing Winch in grey alloy, a reliable choice for sheets and halyards on smaller keelboats and control lines on larger boats.
• Lewmar EVO Series Winches
The Lewmar EVO Series is an evolution of the Ocean winch, incorporating improved internal engineering for greater efficiency under load and tool-free servicing for easier on-deck maintenance. The EVO winch features Lewmar's Wavegrip technology in the self-tailing jaws. The wave-patterned ribs grip the line consistently regardless of diameter and are gentler on rope than traditional toothed jaws, extending the working life of sheets and halyards significantly.
EVO winches are available in three finishes: grey alloy, black alloy, and chrome bronze. Sizes 40 to 80 are available with electric or hydraulic drive options.
Fawcett stocks the following Lewmar winches in the EVO Series:
- Lewmar #15 EVO Self-Tailing Winch Chrome: suited for control lines and halyards on smaller keelboats
- Lewmar #30 EVO Self-Tailing Winch Chrome: suited for primary sheets and halyards on mid-size cruisers
- Lewmar #55 EVO Self-Tailing Winch Chrome: suited for primary sheets on larger performance keelboats and offshore cruisers
The ProTouch Winch Handle, stocked at Fawcett, is a Lewmar winch parts accessory designed for smooth, comfortable operation across the full Ocean and EVO winch range.
What Is a Windlass and How Do You Choose the Right Lewmar Windlass?
A windlass anchor retrieval system uses an electric or manual drive to haul in anchor chain and rode, replacing the heavy labor of hand-over-hand retrieval at anchor. A Lewmar windlass makes anchoring faster, safer, and far less physically demanding, particularly in deeper anchorages or when using heavy all-chain rode.
• Horizontal vs Vertical Windlass
Horizontal windlasses mount flush with the deck and have the motor housed belowdecks, which keeps topside profiles low and is preferred on motorsailers and powerboats. Vertical windlasses sit taller on deck with the motor below the deck surface, requiring less foredeck space and simplifying chain pipe routing.
• Electric vs Manual Operation
Electric windlasses are the standard choice for most cruising boats. They are powered by the vessel's 12V or 24V DC system and operated via foot switches or a helm-mounted control. A manual windlass is either a standalone installation on smaller vessels or a backup recovery system on electric units.
• Lewmar V-Series Electric Windlasses
The Lewmar windlass V-Series is the brand's core electric anchor retrieval range. Fawcett stocks products and spares across the full V-Series lineup including the V1, V2, V3, V4/V5, V6, V700, V10/V12, and VX Series.
Lewmar V1 is designed for boats between 28 and 40 feet. Key features include:
- Rope-chain gypsy for flexibility between all-chain and rope-chain rodes
- Manual override and chain release for backup retrieval without power
- Cone clutch for smooth, controlled operation
- FastFit assembly system for quicker installation and proper drive shaft alignment
- CE approved
- Available for 1/4" chain with 1/2" line, or 5/16" G4 chain with 9/16" line
Lewmar Manual Windlass Recovery The Lewmar manual windlass V1/V2/V3 Manual Recovery Kit, confirmed at Fawcett, provides hand-crank retrieval capability for V-Series windlasses in the event of a power failure. It is available in FastFit configuration with a gypsy included and is a recommended spare for offshore passages. The V-Series is primarily electric, with manual windlass recovery as a built-in backup capability.
Windlass Sizing Select a Lewmar windlass based on:
- Boat displacement and length overall
- Chain size and rode type (all-chain vs rope-chain)
- Anchor weight
- Available DC power
Consult Lewmar's windlass sizing guide to confirm the correct model for your vessel before purchasing.
Lewmar Windlass Accessories Lewmar windlass accessories stocked at Fawcett include deck-mounted foot switches for hands-free operation at the bow, circuit breakers, contactors, and control panels. Maxwell brand foot switches and control panels are also stocked at Fawcett and are compatible with Lewmar V-Series installations.
How Do You Choose the Right Lewmar Hatch or Portlight for Your Boat?
Lewmar hatches and portlights control light, ventilation, and structural integrity across the deck and coachroof. Choosing the correct model involves matching the hatch size to the existing opening, selecting the correct base style for your deck profile, and confirming the CE certification area for your installation location.
Flat Base vs Flange Base
Lewmar Ocean hatches are available in two base styles. A flat base mounts directly to any flat surface and is suitable for installation over irregularly shaped openings. A flange base has a 1-inch flange that extends down into the hatch opening and is the standard choice for new installations on flat deck surfaces. Both base styles are available across the full Ocean Series size range.
Lewmar Ocean Series Hatches
The hatch boat application that Lewmar Ocean hatches are best known for is offshore cruising, where watertight integrity and structural strength are non-negotiable. Confirmed specifications:
- Sizes 10 to 40: 10mm thick smoked gray acrylic lens, clear anodized aluminum frame
- Sizes 44 to 77: 12mm thick smoked gray acrylic lens
- All sizes: CE certified for Area 2 use covering deck, coachroof, cockpit, and transom installations
- Sizes 30 and above: lockable internal and external handles for added security
- All sizes: friction levers hold the hatch open at any position up to 95 degrees
- Trim kits and screen kits sold separately
Fawcett stocks Lewmar marine hatches across the Ocean Series size range in both flat base and flange base configurations.
Sailboat Hatch Replacement Lewmar is the industry standard for sailboat hatch replacement because their hatches are factory-fitted on a very high proportion of production sailboats. Identifying the correct replacement is straightforward: all Lewmar hatches and portlights produced after October 1997 have the model, size, and date code stamped directly into the acrylic lens. On hatches, the information is between the right-hand handle and the edge of the acrylic. Quote this code when ordering Lewmar replacement parts or a complete replacement hatch.
Lewmar Portlights Lewmar marine hatches and portlights are available in several series at Fawcett. The Standard Portlight range covers fixed and opening versions in multiple sizes. The Atlantic Portlight range covers fixed and opening versions. Stainless steel portlights are also available. All Lewmar portlight models are CE certified for their rated installation area. For fixed portlights where the glazing has failed, Lewmar replacement parts including replacement acrylic panels are available at Fawcett.
What Lewmar Shallow Water Anchor and Marine Hardware Does Fawcett Stock?
Lewmar Shallow Water Anchor The Lewmar shallow water anchor Vector is a manual deployment system for powerboats operating in shallow water environments. Confirmed specifications:
- Anchors in up to 8 feet of water
- No hoses, pumps, or wires required
- Gas spring secures the penetrating fiberglass spike for reliable stability through wake turbulence
- Four-bar articulating arm for smooth, consistent deployment
- Powder-coated aluminum construction for corrosion resistance
- Compatible with powerboats up to 22 feet or 3,000 lbs
- Pull-rope deployment and manual tensioning strap retrieval
- Available in black and white at Fawcett
- Quick-release mounting bracket sold separately
The Vector is ideal for anglers and powerboaters who need precise, quiet positioning in shallow flats, creeks, and inshore environments without the complexity of a hydraulic or electric system.
Lewmar Mamba Drive
The Lewmar Mamba is an autopilot drive unit, not a windlass or winch. The Lewmar Mamba drive couples directly to Mamba autopilot steering systems, eliminating the need for separate platforms, chain, and sprockets. It is a linear drive that provides a direct connection between the autopilot computer and the steering mechanism.
Fawcett stocks the following Lewmar Mamba drive units:
- Lewmar Mamba Drive Unit Standard, 1/4 HP, 12V
- Lewmar Mamba Drive Unit Standard, 1/4 HP, 24V STF
- Lewmar Mamba Drive Unit Standard, 1/2 HP, 24V (SKU LEW-89300060)
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How Do You Find Lewmar Replacement Parts and Accessories?
Using genuine Lewmar replacement parts ensures correct fit, maintains warranty compliance, and preserves the performance and safety ratings of the original hardware.
Lewmar Windlass Parts Confirmed Lewmar windlass parts at Fawcett:
- V1/V2/V3 Gypsy and Stripper Kit: replacement gypsy compatible with V1, V2, V3, and the obsolete Concept 1 windlass
- V1/V2/V3 12V Motor Gearbox
- V1/V2/V3 Control Arm Kit
- V1/V2/V3 Manual Recovery Kit (FastFit) with Gypsy
- V2/V3 Gypsy Only Drive Kit
- V700 Compound Gear Assembly
- Pro-Fish Drive Cap Assembly Kit
- V-Series Deck Unit: direct-fit replacement for V1, V2, and V3 in both FastFit and standard configurations
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Lewmar Winch Parts stocked at Fawcett include the ProTouch Winch Handle, compatible across the Ocean and EVO winch ranges. Service kits for Ocean and EVO winches include the internal components required for routine annual servicing.
Lewmar Hatch and Portlight Parts
For Lewmar boat parts relating to hatches and portlights, Fawcett stocks trim kits, screen kits, and replacement acrylic panels. Identify your existing hatch or portlight using the size and model code stamped on the acrylic before ordering. All Lewmar marine hardware produced after October 1997 carries this identification code.
Where Can You Find Lewmar Marine Hardware for Your Boat?
At Fawcett Boat Supplies, we are an authorized Lewmar dealer stocking the full range of Lewmar marine hardware, including Lewmar winches, Lewmar windlasses, Lewmar marine hatches, portlights, the Lewmar shallow water anchor, Lewmar Mamba drive units, and a comprehensive inventory of Lewmar parts, Lewmar windlass accessories, and Lewmar replacement parts.
Our team has the technical knowledge to help you select the correct winch size for your sail plan, confirm windlass compatibility with your chain and rode, identify the correct hatch for your deck opening, and source the right Lewmar replacement parts for your existing hardware.
Visit us at 919 Bay Ridge Road, Annapolis, MD 21403