Winchrite to buy or not?

[MAURICE]

Im thinking about buying an electric winchrite for my Moody44. The thought of trying to install electric winches and the costs put me off. What are your experiences with this gadget is it worth the cost. Or is it left in the locker as a bit of waste of time and money.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Im thinking about buying an electric winchrite for my Moody44. The thought of trying to install electric winches and the costs put me off. What are your experiences with this gadget is it worth the cost. Or is it left in the locker as a bit of waste of time and money.

I have no experience, but I did convert to a heavy, longer than normal Lewmar winch handle.

Made a surprising difference .

 

[Lightwave395]

Outstanding, do it, can act as an anchor windlass (see thread on here), whisks me or the mainsail up the mast in a heartbeat, if you wait a bit, you'll inevitably find one on ebay, mine was £400 and virtually new

 

[NormanS]

Like the OP, I toyed with the idea. I was lucky enough to have a friend with one, who let me try it on a trip on my own boat. I only wanted it for genoa sheets, and was very disappointed. I will explore the idea of a slightly longer winch handle, just to get that last bit of sheet wound in.

 

[Manosk]

Or you can buy as I did a cordless power drill with at least 60 newton and an iwinch bit

 

[Bobc]

My one won't winch the genoa sheets in once the wind gets about about 10kts app.

We tend to use ours for the mainsheet and the genoa furling line only, however we have just fitted electric halyard winches, so just the furling line now.

This is on a 50ft boat with a 120% genoa. I'm sure it will be fine for most things on something a bit smaller.

 

[Trident]

Look at the eWincher (Ocean chandlery Emsworth are the UK agent) - its not cheap, though compared to an electric winch it is) but really easy to use , can be used as a handle too, has good battery life and even , like everything now, an app to make custom settings for your preferences
Ewincher 2 - Electric Winch Handle

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I find that it's a difficult to get the balance right between sailing aids and human input. You want to keep fit and enjoy sailing without having to depend too much on mechanical assistance and turning into a flubber.

I have a hydraulic manual lifting keel that requires a hearty 70 odd pumps. I could go electric but decided against it as I could take rests rests in between and it was not particularly a strength event. If it's a strength issue like the OP's or mine , or perhaps there was a chance of injury, it's great to have some back up. Or perhaps you are just tired coping with an eventful day's sailing.

As mentioned , a heavy lengthened winch handle made all the difference for me . I've also downsized in boat size and went for a 3/4 rig which requires less manual power but overall , still well canvased for my needs with a bigger main .

 

[stuartwineberg]

Absolutely. I as an ageing and small person probably wouldn’t still be sailing without it. We have a moody 36 with a fully battened main and it whizzes it up the mast. It doesn’t have the power to grind the last bit of tension but it does the donkey work. Also gets used to wind in the Genoa if things are a bit rough. Don’t use it for tacking, just take my time going through the wind and the admiral can easily sheet in. Got it from the brokers office at deacons yard in Swanwick. After sales service xcellent.

 

[AndrewB]

I noticed that the blurb that comes with the Winchrite is all about halyards and raising sails, not about use sheeting in a genoa. But that's what I wanted it for.

With my Moody 376, I found it works, adapting my method of tacking a little. Of course, it's nothing like fast enough for that first rush in after a tack. Then there comes the point where the genoa fills with wind and the real load comes on. Smack on the Winchrite (I lash the handle to one side to counter the torque, as well as stopping it from flying overboard) and it does save a lot of effort, first in fast mode then in slow. While it won't get the sail quite in under full load in a good breeze, once the boat is picking up speed I point a little high for a few moments to let the genoa luff slightly, and then it does that last couple of inches. Not exactly racing practice, but good enough for an elderly cruising couple.

I have to confess though, a proper electric winch would be a whole lot better, but there isn't space for the motor beneath, and in any case like the OP, its over my budget.

 

[MAURICE]

Thanks i think i will try the longer handle first it seems that it is not quite right for the job of sheeting in the winches

 

[asteven221]

I have one and recommend it. I use it primarily to raise the Main on our 45ft boat, finishing the last bit with a winch. Quick and easy. It does do genoa sheets ok and on the occasions I have used it for that purpose.

It's handy for us when the weather is rubbish and the cockpit cover is deployed , as it encloses the whole cockpit on our boat. Obviously the Winchrite doesn't need to turn like a winch handle, so it doesn't snag on anything. Without the Winchrite, we would need to remove the sides of the cover to allow the winch handle to rotate. We stay nice and dry stay dry and warm!

It is strong enough to winch an adult up the mast, or bring a MOB back onboard. The battery lasts for ages.

The downsides are that it's quite bulky and heavy, although that has some advantages too e.g. it won't vanish overboard very easily.

I could live without it, but all in all it's a good thing to have on board. Makes life that bit easier. For people that are less fit or struggle hauling a mainsail up 60ft, it's almost essential.

I believe early Winchrites had a weak gearbox which was fixed quite soon after the came on tot he market. There might be some still around on the used market.

 

[NormanS]

Having inmast furling mainsail, so I only toyed with battery power for the genoa sheets. I'm not a gorilla, but I could beat it, hands down. Might be good for those who have to haul a heavy sail up the mast every time they set out. ?

 

[roaringgirl]

Through not engaging my brain I have broken things by over-winching. I am now much more careful and aware of what resistance is normal. I would be concerned not to have that info using an electric gadget or electric winch.