Ewincher/Winchrite

[brians]

Saw the Ewincher at SIBs and was given a very full demonstration by the manufacturer. Have to say I was very impressed with the design, weight and how it operated. Until I asked the price and was told £1,800. This seems a lot of money to me and is about three times the price of the Winchrite at £600. I am sure there is a good reason for the difference but as a light user not sure I can justify the additional cost.

Any users and/or opinions of both?

 

[Cantata]

I have a Winchrite and cannot imagine why anything else costing far more should be any better.

 

[wizard]

I have a Winchrite and cannot imagine why anything else costing far more should be any better.

I asked the french guy on the stand that exact same question as I had just recently purchased the Winchrite. I got a mumbled reply in french so I moved on.

 

[knuterikt]

No experience with Winchrite but I have tried the Ewincher on my boat for one day, liked it but price is eye watering
Seems that the major differences are
Ewinhcer can combine electric with manual at the same time and you can use it in manual or electric mode, so no switching if handles.
Ewincher can be configured using an app on the phone.

As I understand Winchrite can can rotate both ways, and that's it.

What I liked about the Ewincher is that it similar to a standard winch handle to hold and the combined electric&manual mode (rotating the handle while motor is running).

Both can be charged from 12 V

 

[Bobc]

Why on earth do you need an App for an electric winch handle?

 

[Tranona]

Why on earth do you need an App for an electric winch handle?

Because it seems in this brave new world you need an App for everything. (Says he wondering how he has survived without ever knowingly used one!)

 

[knuterikt]

Why on earth do you need an App for an electric winch handle?

The app is an easy way to change the configuration on the winch handle,operating mode and check battery state.
The handle itself has two buttons.

 

[langstonelayabout]

Why on earth do you need an App for an electric winch handle?

You beat me to saying this...

A winch handle app. How did we ever live without one... lol

 

[Bobc]

I just wonder if they thought about the target market when designing this thing.

The typical user will be.... 50+ (probably 60+) with a big boat, who's finding it increasingly hard work to winch things in, and has £1500 to spare to solve the problem.

Not sure that an App is the right solution here. Some buttons and lights on the unit would probably be more appropriate.

 

[TQA]

Has anyone compared the torque output of a Ewincher/Winchrite with a 90 degree battery drill like the Milwaukee ?

 

[Heckler]

Has anyone compared the torque output of a Ewincher/Winchrite with a 90 degree battery drill like the Milwaukee ?

I saw a thread on here a while back, the Milwaukee is very viable.

 

[Jabs]

I have a Winchrite and it is amazing...

I delayed buying one for years and really regret not having it on board. You don't have to use it but at the end of a long day/voyage it is magic.

Yes, it's two way, so two speed.

Interesting question regarding Milwaukee drill!!!

I believe it has those guts but not sure.

Can't recommend it enough!

Tony

 

[Dave100456]

I have a Winchrite and have been pleased with it but only used it for in mast furling of the main. New boat has elec winches so now surplus to my needs.

 

[duncan99210]

The Cranker is a Milwaukee right angle drill with an adapter for the winch socket. Link https://www.thecranker.com/ . I’ve been pondering getting one as an alternative to the Winchrite as it’s marginally cheaper, if I could source the drill this side of the pond. Met a chap in Greece last summer who had a one (Cranker) and he reckoned it was the bees knees. Fast enough to handle genoa sheets, powerful enough to hoist him up the mast.

 

[Don107]

It is bad enough losing a normal handle overboard but with the cost of the electric handles you would cry if one of them went over

Regards Don

 

[ditchcrawler]

I have a Winchrite and would agree that it is brilliant. I had one of the first ones in the country and after a couple of years the gear box became faulty.
It was exchanged without quibble as it was a known problem with the early ones. It now works faultlessly.
I initially looked at the Milwaukee right angled driver but could not source one in the UK. I bought the Cranker bit from the States and tried it in various drills but they were all hopeless.
The right angled driver would be difficult to handle and the design and weight of the Winchrite works well.
My experience is that friends scoffed at first but now others have bought them. Glad I am not alone'

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

C

Has anyone compared the torque output of a Ewincher/Winchrite with a 90 degree battery drill like the Milwaukee ?

I haven’t, but the torque of the Winchrite is strong enough to take your arms with it unless you let the switch go pronto when a sheet is fully winched in. Impressive.

 

[brians]

Thanks for all the responses. I am pleased to see that all owners of a Winchrite appear to be satisfied with the performance of the product.

 

[thalassa]

For a few years, I used a portable Dewalt angle drill with a modified 'cranker' bit. It was fine, but unconfortable, as the drill would wrench itself out of my hand when the halyard got stuck.
I' ve a winchrite now since 3 years, and very pleased with it. I use it also for cranking my manual SL anchor winch.

 

[moomba]

Great thread and info on the winchrite , I am physically less able due to illness, and was pondering a winchrite , and now I have read this thread I feel more confident in spending my pennies thanks peeps