Floating winch handles

[Rum_Pirate]

Went sailing on a Hunter 27 weekend before last.
They are frisky (compared to KATE).

While hoisting the sails (somebody had tied the reefing lines in a good muddle, we lost the winch handle overboard, it slid out the stern.

We got the sails up. Then tacked to 'find' it.

"Somewhere off the stern of that boat wasn't it?"

Managed to spot it at 50 yards, bobbing along quite happily.

The handle was red which did help.

Picked it up first try.

Do your winch handles float?

Have you managed to recover any that went adrift?

 

[jerrytug]

Yes to both. My boat came with enormous Lewmar handles, heavy steel and easily capable of breaking bones if dropped on a hand or foot. I just swapped them for nice lightweight, floating, brightly coloured ones!
However I was glad once to have a heavy metal one when tackling some intruders in the cabin, and yes they got hospitalized, so thanks for that Mr Lewmar

 

[mjcoon]

Do your winch handles float?

Have you managed to recover any that went adrift?

I lost a sinker on a charter trip. The latch didn't work and during a bit of enthusiastic winching came out of the winch and flipped overboard. Arguing it was a faulty handle cut no ice; we were still required to replace it (with a new, latching, one!).

Mike.

 

[onesea]

Have you managed to recover any that went adrift?

Charter yacht Avon Dinghy beating blowing a we bit, bounced it of from under its lashing (if you could call them that). Picked up and recovered under sail first go, for others note inflatables are heavy when deflated and rolled after being in the water.

Cocker Spaniel F5 Wind against tide. I would of made him swim home but I knocked him off :ambivalence:. Again first time and he did not have to swim to get back to me...

Myself flat calm at anchor using a Canadian canoe used as a tender I was looking for painter, none to sober. Standing at the stern of canoe (hence no painter!) I reached for jib sheet, on releasing hold of the boat I ditched the canoe. Boarding ladder not down, I had to climb jybe sheet, to get on-board I was lucky on that one. I now always look for means of self rescue in marinas and prior to boarding a boat..

Oh and Curley Wurlys but that was along time ago....

 

[prv]

Floating handles always feel a bit lightweight and weedy to me. They twist and bend when you push hard on them.

Our handles are always either latched into a winch or in their pockets (and the former only when actually being wound) so not too much risk of losing one overboard.

Pete

 

[Salty John]

I agree, floating winch handles seem to lack 'heft'.

 

[Hypocacculus]

There seems to be a gap in the market for the WinchSaver (TM), a cunning, hydrostatically released, self inflating bouy secreted in the handle.

Only £499.99 at a chandler near you.

 

[Twister_Ken]

There seems to be a gap in the market for the WinchSaver (TM), a cunning, hydrostatically released, self inflating bouy secreted in the handle.

Only £499.99 at a chandler near you.

There's an alternative - the floating winch handle with a built-in water-activated AIS class B transmitter. At £799 plus VAT a tad more expensive, but genuine state of the art.

 

[agurney]

I purchased a grey and red plastic floating winch handle to replace a heavier metal one that took off when I was casting a fishing a line (hook, line, sinker & *&^ handle).
That was more than twenty years ago and it's still in use as my primary handle for hauling anchor chain and grinding winches.

 

[jwilson]

floating handles

Yes - in a club race, saw it go overboard, gybed immediately, picked it up and back to windward - didn't even drop a place. Older low-freeboard boat though, not a chance on present boat unless you picked up from the sugarscoop

I like them but not particularly for the floating bit, they do a lot less damage to cockpit gelcoat than the metal ones when in careless hands.

 

[Georgio]

I like them but not particularly for the floating bit, they do a lot less damage to cockpit gelcoat than the metal ones when in careless hands.

That's exactly why I bought them (Titan I think is the make), the only problem is they bend and eventually break. I'm going to get some of the Lewmar one touch jobs next time but they are Very expensive for what they are!

 

[John the kiwi]

Departing a very sheltered bay in the coastal national park one morning when I was solo.
Raised Main and Jib while motoring very slowly, and then dropped the floating winch handle OB.
No wind in the sails and my boat has a walk through transom so i simply went into reverse and knelt down in the cockpit sole while i steered the boat backwards.
Took my time and easily retrieved the handle.
Stood up to see a tourist boat about 10 metres away with lots of tourists goggling at me. The skipper had obviously seen this yacht with full sails and no one aboard proceeding astern and came close by for a look. I hadnt heard him coming over the noise of my own motor so it gave me quite a start, but i appreciated the concern.
I dont know the brand, but that handle has had some big loads on it with no problem.