Winner of the Design Awards METS (DAME) competition – beating 73 other products – is UK-based Lewmar’s new ‘Onetouch’ winch handle.

A piece of equipment ‘that most people take for granted’, the handle ‘rejects a traditional bi-square lock arrangement in favour of a plunger pin and ball system similar in concept to that used in racing car quick-release steering wheel. The mechanism is operated by a lever that runs the length of the winch handle; allowing it to be easily engaged and released with one hand.

Kim Hollamby, Consultant Editor of IBI and the chairman of the DAME jury, said: ‘it’s so easy to use one-handed, that sailors can operate a winch blindfolded!’