Electric Winch Handles

[stranded]

I’m likely to be functionally one armed for a while. Most stuff to keep on sailing I think I can manage - the proof will be in the eating - but because of the way the cockpit is laid out I might struggle a bit with the port genny sheet winch.

To avoid this latest manifestation of galloping decrepitude becoming a serious bummer I must cling to the hope that the situation is temporary, so am looking at things like the ewincher 2 to get me through next year.

Does anyone know, or have a view, on how somesuch would perform on a size 53 winch sheeting a 60m2 Genoa in moderate (plus surprises) conditions? Alternatives (an electric winch would be a last resort rather than a first one)?

 

[NormanS]

As a prospective buyer, I was lent a WinchRite electric winch handle. I imagine that is similar. I have to say that unfortunately I didn't like it at all. I would love to fit an electric sheet winch, but it would cost too much, so I'm back to sheeting in very quickly when going about, and if necessary, luffing up to sheet in. If you're thinking of going ahead, I would strongly recommend getting a loan of one first, to see if it would work for you. Hope your disability is very temporary.

 

[scozzy]

My 1st thought isn't about winch reviews, more "why not get crew?" Partner,son,daughter, pal?

 

[stranded]

Hope your disability is very temporary.

Cheers Norman - I hope so too, though not terribly confident - full depth rotor cuff tear, which I understand can be a bit of a bugger to fix.

I’ll see if I can borrow an electric winch handle to try before I buy.

 

[stranded]

My 1st thought isn't about winch reviews, more "why not get crew?" Partner,son,daughter, pal?

Good god man, are you mad!

 

[scozzy]

Good god man, are you mad!

You did say temporary! Please accept my apologies

 

[thinwater]

A smaller boat and going out in more moderate weather. Nothing to prove.

I too can see the hill, and I'm not going to pretend it's not there. I decided I didn't need a big boat anymore. Problem solved on all fronts.

 

[stranded]

Nope - I’m 64. The day will come. But today is not that day!

 

[thinwater]

Nope - I’m 64. The day will come. But today is not that day!

So am I. I'm hardly disabled; I'm going rock climbing today. But I don't have kids at home, stopped cruising, and realized that a big boat made zero sense for day sailing. My trimaran is easier to single hand, easier to maintain, quicker, and more fun to sail in lighter to moderate conditions, and perfect for me an a buddy. As for storm conditions ... what would I do that for? Been there, done that, have the tee shirt.

I also ditched the big SUV for something more fun to drive. No kids to haul around on family trips. My wife still has a small SUV, for when that is useful.

Just something to consider. Sometimes the better toy is a smaller toy. It is NOT about giving up. It is about figuring out what is the most fun, and sporty can be more fun.

 

[stranded]

I do get that - and we plan to do the same in the future. But for now, while we don’t do the big adventures you did, our main sailing activity is multi-month cruises in Atlantic France, with the hope of an annual berth in La Rochelle next year (which will help if things don’t improve), and our current boat is perfect for that.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

… ewincher 2 to get me through next year.

Does anyone know, or have a view, on how somesuch would perform on a size 53 winch sheeting a 60m2 Genoa in moderate (plus surprises) conditions? Alternatives (an electric winch would be a last resort rather than a first one)?

eWincher was recently reviewed at Attainable Adventure Cruising (AAC) (www.morganscloud.com) which is a subscription service.

The reviewer is now an aging, early 70’s sailor and sails a J109 at 35ft LOA. He described the eWincher as revolutionary and a significant aid to his sailing. He also compares it to other powered winch handles at lower cost and it still compares best. The test is very comprehensive and demonstrates the effectiveness of the product. Also, the reviewer has no association with the company.

In my opinion, it looks like a good product, tested in sailing conditions by an elderly, experienced sailor, and appears to do what it says on the tin.

Worth subscribing to read the articles. I have no association beyond being a subscriber.

Based on his review, it would be a serious contender if I was in the market for a powered winch handle.

Good luck on your selection.

 

[stranded]

eWincher was recently reviewed at Attainable Adventure Cruising (AAC) (www.morganscloud.com) which is a subscription service.

The reviewer is now an aging, early 70’s sailor and sails a J109 at 35ft LOA. He described the eWincher as revolutionary and a significant aid to his sailing. He also compares it to other powered winch handles at lower cost and it still compares best. The test is very comprehensive and demonstrates the effectiveness of the product. Also, the reviewer has no association with the company.

In my opinion, it looks like a good product, tested in sailing conditions by an elderly, experienced sailor, and appears to do what it says on the tin.

Worth subscribing to read the articles. I have no association beyond being a subscriber.

Based on his review, it would be a serious contender if I was in the market for a powered winch handle.

Good luck on your selection.

Thank you for that - I will take a look at the review - I am actually a subscriber, but I always forget to look there until prompted - sign of things to come I guess!

 

[NormanS]

eWincher was recently reviewed at Attainable Adventure Cruising (AAC) (www.morganscloud.com) which is a subscription service.

The reviewer is now an aging, early 70’s sailor and sails a J109 at 35ft LOA. He described the eWincher as revolutionary and a significant aid to his sailing. He also compares it to other powered winch handles at lower cost and it still compares best. The test is very comprehensive and demonstrates the effectiveness of the product. Also, the reviewer has no association with the company.

In my opinion, it looks like a good product, tested in sailing conditions by an elderly, experienced sailor, and appears to do what it says on the tin.

Worth subscribing to read the articles. I have no association beyond being a subscriber.

Based on his review, it would be a serious contender if I was in the market for a powered winch handle.

Good luck on your selection.

What? Ageing early 70s. You won't think that once you've matured a bit.

 

[Neeves]

As you mature, you are but a youngster, the demands of handling a large sail will, simply, increase. Disability or not your strength will decline and you will increasingly find the need for help. even in the form of a, different, mechanical aid.

I'd suggest a bigger winch handles, for 2 hands, and consider powering one winch. Invest now and then you can use the investment. Installing a motor will not reduce the value of your yacht.

So power one winch and learn to cross sheet to the powered winch.

When push comes to shove and you need to crash tack - you will forget the powered winch handle and simply damage the weakest part, of you (then you will not be sailing at all .

Jonathan

 

[thinwater]

As you mature, you are but a youngster, the demands of handling a large sail will, simply, increase. Disability or not your strength will decline and you will increasingly find the need for help. even in the form of a, different, mechanical aid.

I'd suggest a bigger winch handles, for 2 hands, and consider powering one winch. Invest now and then you can use the investment. Installing a motor will not reduce the value of your yacht.

So power one winch and learn to cross sheet to the powered winch.

When push comes to shove and you need to crash tack - you will forget the powered winch handle and simply damage the weakest part, of you (then you will not be sailing at all .

Jonathan

Good points. A few more, having experienced a variety of injuries and aches myself. Curiously, I am more injury-free in some ways than I was 15-20 years aqo, though my knee does keep getting worse ... (Not sayin' the OP should not look at electric options--these ideas are for others.)

• 10-inch handles all around. I'm surprised by how many 8-inch handles I see on non-race boats.
• Sometimes larger winches can be the ticket. Sometimes you can swap your primaries to secondaries and install larger primaries, reducing the strain. Most often, the winches are "just" big enough. Money saving by the builder.
• Physical therapy for life. There are certain shoulder and back exercises that have been a part of my life for 15-20 years. I don't do them every day, as I did at one time, but several times a week keep the the boogie man away. This becomes important starting at about 40 IME. Earlier if some injury suggests.
• If you do install electric winches, SERIOUSLY consider the locations of switches and the lay of the line. I've seen some very unsafe installations and people have lost fingers and even hands. The idea of an unguarded winch is, in a very real sense, inherently unsafe and would not be allowed in a work place. Serious precautions are obligatory. You should not have to reach too near the winch or over an incoming line (trimming or easing) to reach the button, and foot switches are very questionable in a seaway IMO.

Does anyone have expereince with crossover blocks, as opposed to just looping the line around a winch (several makers, this is Harken)?

 

[William_H]

Perhaps useful on a geared sheet winch but not useful at all on anon geared winch. I would suggest you look at a smaller jib and bear the loss of performance or consider self tacking jib. (again smaller) I have only used a power winch handle once and di not like it much. ol'will

 

[thinwater]

Perhaps useful on a geared sheet winch but not useful at all on anon geared winch. I would suggest you look at a smaller jib and bear the loss of performance or consider self tacking jib. (again smaller) I have only used a power winch handle once and did not like it much. ol'will

He makes a fair point. You don't have to turn the electric winch handle, but you still need to brace it. I've used them and was not a big fan.

The smaller jib recommendation was very smart. Or just roll it up most of the way until you are fully healed. Simple. I often reef on days when I just don't feel like working too hard!

 

[stranded]

He makes a fair point. You don't have to turn the electric winch handle, but you still need to brace it. I've used them and was not a big fan.

The smaller jib recommendation was very smart. Or just roll it up most of the way until you are fully healed. Simple. I often reef on days when I just don't feel like working too hard!

I think the two combined might be the answer.

We have a heavy weather jib on a Solent stay, and a 115 genny in the garage. But I think the ewincher could be a useful addition too. I am a fairly strong (and, less proudly, heavy) chap, so bracing it with my good arm doesn’t concern me.

With the smaller sails (and from Morgan’s Cloud review, even with the 150), lack of sufficient winch power with the ewincher doesn’t sound as if it will be a problem.

And the clincher, my very game, but not the strongest, wife really likes the idea of being more independent when she’s on watch.

So while we hope this will be a temporary measure, it could still be a useful addition to the armoury even if I do recover - far from certain I understand with this type of injury, at my advanced age, and frankly, with the pressures the NHS is currently under.

 

[Slowtack]

Due to rheumatoid arthritis I bought a Winchrite earlier this year. I dont really need it for sail handling although it raises the mainsail quickly and easily.... I thought it would be mainly useful for anchor retrieval at lesser expense than installing an electric windlass. Haven't used it for that in strong breeze yet...
Battery life seems good and charges quickly using a 300W inverter...
So far so good....