Lifting Keel- is there an alternative to hand cranking?

[lbayorkie]

My first post as a new member!

Can anyone tell if there is any device available to relieve the boredom and effort of hand cranking a lifting keel?

Surely there must be something out there- perhaps based on rechargeable electric drill technology?

I am new to lifting keels so perhaps I just have not looked hard or long enough, but a pointer from a forum member would be gratefully received.


Thanks
Alan
Otley

 

[graham]

Welcome to the forums.

You can buy an adapter for using an electric angle drill on sheet winches so it should be possible with a keel winch.

My keel needs 32 turns to raise and can be done one handed so its hardly worth it.I know some Etaps have a worm drive that needs 300 turns I would definitely find that a bit tedious.

link to an advert cranker

 

[Ecosse120]

Depends on the type of keel, I have a 12v car winch on mine (cost about £50) fom ebay. Been on two years no prob's use dynema to lift as the rope covered metal can rust and then snap from the inside. Worth adding the type of boat to your profile.

 

[William_H]

Chandlers and motor accessory shops around here have a range of 12v trailer boat winches that are surprisingly cheap. A friend has fitted one successfully to a swing keel. It works well. The cheaper winches don't have reverse but rather you release a clutch to lower the keel but the more expensive ones have a reverse switch which can be far more convenient.

My own vertical lift keel ( 100kgs) is raised by a 4 part tackle onto a halyard winch on cabin top. Yes it is a pain but I usually only lift for taking the baot home as it lives all summmer on a swing mooring so i havn't worried about a power winch. olewill

 

[roly_voya]

Gearbox & motor of a golftrolly would be about the righ size and ratio, just need to make an adaptor to marry the shaft to the winch drum. Most electric motor will run both ways so you can lower by reversing the current.

 

[lbayorkie]

Thanks for your suggestions. Actually the boat is a Jeanneau and the keel is lifted using a hand crank which I presume is attached to a worm or similr which goes down through the table in the galley to the bilge, where there must be some mechanism or other to lift/lower.

What I really need is something to fit over the thing the winch handle fits onto.

Thanks again