Manual anchor winch handle replacement?

[CaptainBob]

While taking some prospective buyers of my boat out for a sea trial I accidentally hurled my manual anchor winch handle overboard.

Unsure what my winch is but it looks like the lofrans royal horizontal. The handle is basically a hollow tube of steel with a grip at one end.

Any idea where I might source a replacement?

Picture of the winch here:

http://yachts.apolloduck.com/image.phtml?id=379899&ximage=221592

Thank you!

 

[Woodlouse]

Any metal fabricators should be able to sort a replacement for you. All you're after is a length of gas pipe. You might even be able to get a stainless one, otherwise just send it off to be galvanised and add a grip of your own design, either fancy work with string, a bit of leather or even a length of heat shrink.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

That's probably like mine (if it has an oil-level window on the forward face). Just get a 500mm length of tube that is a reasonable fit in the hole and a bicycle handlebar grip. It need not be stainless. If the buyer doesn't like it he can change it; it will not be a deal-breaker.

 

[ghostlymoron]

1" galvanized water pipe works well. I like the idea of a cycle handlebar grip. You can get new levers from Peachment about 40 quid.

 

[sarabande]

perhaps drill a hole in the handle end and attach a line and a fender to it ?

 

[CaptainBob]

Thanks for the ideas.

perhaps drill a hole in the handle end and attach a line and a fender to it ?

Very good idea!

 

[CaptainBob]

Do you think 1.5mm wall SS will be strong enough for the job?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251300487638

If not can one buy 20mm OD SS tube with a thicker wall anywhere? The hole is precisely 22mm so ideally I'd like 21 or 21.5mm tube. But it seems 20mm then 22mm are standard (from a quick online search).

TY!

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

20mm x 1,5mm would be quite sufficient but why spend 13 pounds on stainless when you are going to sell the boat? Galvanised water pipe is just as good.

BTW on your new boat be sure to follow ISAF Offshore regulations, treating them as good advice. Handles that operate manual bilge pumps cannot swim and love to go walkabout - just like your windlass handle - so they should be fastened with a thin lanyard to a place that is close to the gadget and long enough to allow easy operation. I use 3mm braid tied using a constrictor knot drawn very tight. I don't pass cord through a hole drilled through a pipe because sooner rather than later the cord will part.

 

[CaptainBob]

Seems a bit petty to try to save £5 on a sale of a boat for 10,000 times that amount so will probably replace like with like.

Lanyard a very good idea.

TY