Abstract: A pedestal winch with variable radius crank arms. The winch is intended for use on a sail boat or the like. The crank arms each include two telescoping sections together with a locking apparatus for locking the sections together in differing positions so as to achieve differing radii. A thumb-actuated operating member is positioned adjacent each crank handle for controlling the locking apparatus. Accordingly, an operator need not remove his/her hands from the crank handles in order to switch the winch between a short radius position for high speed winching and a long radius position for high power winching.