I'm trading up to a 42' cruising sailboat, and I have narrowed the
search down to a used Pacific Seacraft, Shannon, or Valiant.

Numerous salespeople have lectured that, despite being big and strong,
I won't be able to, or want to, use a manual windlass with this size
of boat.

Acutally, I do want to use a manual windlass, if possible.

Any opinions?