Sailfree
Well-known member
I posted this last February so I thought I would follow up with an update.
"I took note of the links and picked up what pvc posted above the Milwaukee (I think the 28V version) is twice the torque of the most powerful competitor.
It certainly looks a good bit of kit.
A number of American sailors use them all the time from comments I have read on Sailnet.
As charter quality sails are often heavier than normal, I was tempted to order an electric halyard winch for the 43DS but didn't as I was not sure charters would use it with care (I once had the main batten cars pulled out of the mast where a Bonzo tried hoisting the main with it still reefed).
Having once had to unexpectedly sailed back from Spain singlehanded on a 38 the idea of a portable drill that enables the winches to become effectively electric ones is attractive. "
Update,
Bought the 28V Milwaukee right angled drill and the "cranker" winch bit that others recommended and they make life a doddle.
On recent trip to France, leave wife in bed , get the boat out under engine, set the boat into the wind on autopilot and hoist the relatively big and heavy mainsail on the 43 using the drill. Goes up quickly and I can then get on with the sailing. If you are short handed can't recommend them enough but it is lazy sailing - but I like it!!
I did need to additionally buy an USA converter transformer from Maplins to recharge the battery. The Milwaukee drill is not available in UK so you have to order it on the internet from the USA.
"I took note of the links and picked up what pvc posted above the Milwaukee (I think the 28V version) is twice the torque of the most powerful competitor.
It certainly looks a good bit of kit.
A number of American sailors use them all the time from comments I have read on Sailnet.
As charter quality sails are often heavier than normal, I was tempted to order an electric halyard winch for the 43DS but didn't as I was not sure charters would use it with care (I once had the main batten cars pulled out of the mast where a Bonzo tried hoisting the main with it still reefed).
Having once had to unexpectedly sailed back from Spain singlehanded on a 38 the idea of a portable drill that enables the winches to become effectively electric ones is attractive. "
Update,
Bought the 28V Milwaukee right angled drill and the "cranker" winch bit that others recommended and they make life a doddle.
On recent trip to France, leave wife in bed , get the boat out under engine, set the boat into the wind on autopilot and hoist the relatively big and heavy mainsail on the 43 using the drill. Goes up quickly and I can then get on with the sailing. If you are short handed can't recommend them enough but it is lazy sailing - but I like it!!
I did need to additionally buy an USA converter transformer from Maplins to recharge the battery. The Milwaukee drill is not available in UK so you have to order it on the internet from the USA.
