While this is somewhat true, the amount of cranking goes up considerably.

I typically race on a 35 footer, and am quite used to the forces involved on that boat and the loads felt at the winches. A couple of summers ago I had a chance to crew on a 51 footer... (raced twice a week) I was primarily one of the jib trimmers. While the sizes of sail and the loads did indeed go up (hauling around one of the jibs was a good workout) the winches did indeed tend to "equalize" the load somewhat... I had no problem constantly working the winch to keep the sail trimmed; however what was a load of work was tacking. The length of the sheets, and the amount of sail to be hauled about made winching that length of line a real workout. Now granted, we were racing... so speed during a tack was of the essence. But certainly this is something to consider...

On my own tiny 27 footer, if I am in a situation that is going to require a bunch of tacks, I furl the larger foresail (a 120 geneoa) and just use the smaller stays'l. It tacks quicker, it is a smaller sail, and closer to the winch, so I can haul the sheets in much much faster and be in control and under sail (and under control) on the new course faster.

With a big boat, everything gets bigger... and thus more sheet to haul in... no matter how much the winch helps, that still means more time grinding.

The differences between a 36 footer and even a 41 footer can be noticeable and can be the difference between comfortable and "a lot of work."

Of course as I mentioned in my first response... it all depends on the experience of the crew.