Short winch handle?

[SiteSurfer]

Space is at a premium under the spray hood and one thing that really annoyed me a couple weeks ago winter sailing was that I couldn't rotate the winch handle under the hood without removing the skin off my knuckles and jamming the handle in the hood frame...

I'm using one of these (the short) version, and was wondering if anyone had overcome this with either a) a modified version or b) found a smaller winch handle.
I'm looking to gain about 2" max, leverage isn't so much of an issue here.

 

[westhinder]

Andersen does a short winch handle, do not know the dimension right now, but worth checking

 

[Poignard]

As a matter of interest, how long is that one? Due to a guardrail stanchion in the way, I can't rotate my 8" long handles through 360° and I've been looking for shorter ones. 5 - 6" would do.

 

[SiteSurfer]

Just checked, smallest is 8" which is same as mine. Damn.

 

[SiteSurfer]

As a matter of interest, how long is that one? Due to a guardrail stanchion in the way, I can't rotate my 8" long handles through 360° and I've been looking for shorter ones. 5 - 6" would do.

I'd love that size. Would be perfect!

 

[Poignard]

I'd love that size. Would be perfect!

Looks like I'll have to relocate the stanchions.

 

[VicMallows]

Looks like I'll have to relocate the stanchions.

Or modify a winch handle? (I would think a basic ally handle would be easiest to modify).

 

[Poignard]

Or modify a winch handle? (I would think a basic ally handle would be easiest to modify).

.
Yes - that does make more sense. Go for the easy option first. I'll have to visit a boat jumble and see what I can find

 

[SiteSurfer]

I am considering sawing the middle out of a plastic one and epoxying it back together with a sleeve of some kind.
Or sawing the end off and relocating the handle.

 

[johnalison]

I suspect that anything much shorter than 8" will lose too much effect to be useful, or at least, it would to me. The two options that occur to me are: either fit an electric winch, or get used to "pumping" the winch, which is what we mostly do anyway on the coachroof ones. When hoisting me up the mast, my wife takes the halyard(s) round the coachroof winch and down to a sheet winch, taking care to avoid riding turns. Easier with an assistant.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

get used to "pumping" the winch,

+1
I even do that on my 2-speed Genoa winches, the reason being that I can put more 'power' when pulling on the handle than when moving it sideways (as in complete circle).

 

[SiteSurfer]

Single speed winch, one direction only (otherwise it would be easy)

 

[William_H]

Single speed winch, one direction only (otherwise it would be easy)

Does your single speed winch not have a ratchet (pauls) so that the handle can be turned backwards to get another bite. I thought even the cheapest winches do that.
Anyway back to the op question. I would try removing the handle end of the winch handle and explore the possibility of moving it inwards ie shortening the whole handle by moving the vertical handle. I that is no good try moving the winch end. good luck olewill

 

[john_morris_uk]

Looks like I'll have to relocate the stanchions.

I had that problem on a previous boat and solved it by remounting the winches on sloping pads.

PS I was always taught never to 'pump' winches. It's not good for the pawls.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

PS I was always taught never to 'pump' winches. It's not good for the pawls.

Were you ever given a reason why "It's not good for the pawls"?

(just curious)

 

[john_morris_uk]

Were you ever given a reason why "It's not good for the pawls"?

(just curious)

I was told that the winches are designed to be wound one way and then (if necessary) wound the other. The pawls not being designed to be continually loaded and unloaded.

If it's too hard to wind all the way round the trick is to get your weight over the winch. I used to sail with roughy toughy Paras sometimes and it's was a source of much amusement to me to see them struggling with a winch and then me (as an old man to them) take over using the correct technique and wind quickly with apparently little effort. (It probably helped a little that I'd developed some upper body strength during Commando training but I still suggest technique is the biggest factor.)

 

[SiteSurfer]

Does your single speed winch not have a ratchet (pauls) so that the handle can be turned backwards to get another bite. I thought even the cheapest winches do that.

Err no.. and come to think of it, does any winch do that (apart from twin speed)?
I turn the handle and it only goes one way and locks in reverse - surely that's the point of the winch?

 

[xeitosaphil]

" I turn the handle and it only goes one way and locks in reverse - surely that's the point of the winch?

I think he means you turn the handle, the winch revolves in one direction, but you can then turn the handle backwards and the ratchet allows you to do so, but the winch itself is locked.

 

[Gin]

Space is at a premium under the spray hood and one thing that really annoyed me a couple weeks ago winter sailing was that I couldn't rotate the winch handle under the hood without removing the skin off my knuckles and jamming the handle in the hood frame...

I'm using one of these (the short) version, and was wondering if anyone had overcome this with either a) a modified version or b) found a smaller winch handle.
I'm looking to gain about 2" max, leverage isn't so much of an issue here.

Would one of these connected to an appropriate standard auto socket and ratchet handle solve the problem?

http://www.winchbit.com/

 

[Crowblack]

I've had one of these for several years it extends from about 7 inches to whatever full size is - - find it very useful as said particularly under the sprayhood.

This one is branded West Marine (in America) sorry could only find one image on t'web so may not be available now in UK - mine is branded Speedfriend - might be worth searching for.