I believe my mast is 25' and change, anyone have any suggestions what size/capacity winch would be appropriate to use on the gin pole?
Ratcheting vs braking?
Ratcheting vs braking?
What winch for gin pole?
- Thread starter Gene Neill
- Start date
Gene,
You' re assuming that a winch is required. I used a winch a couple of times but found it WAY too slow. When the wind is gusting to 30 knots you want it up or down faster than possible. My mast is 27 feet long with 3 1/2 x 6 section. Probably weighs 100 pounds. I use a 7 foot gin pole and a 4:1 block and tackle. I raise the mast in about 10 seconds and I'm an aspiring old guy.
You' re assuming that a winch is required. I used a winch a couple of times but found it WAY too slow. When the wind is gusting to 30 knots you want it up or down faster than possible. My mast is 27 feet long with 3 1/2 x 6 section. Probably weighs 100 pounds. I use a 7 foot gin pole and a 4:1 block and tackle. I raise the mast in about 10 seconds and I'm an aspiring old guy.
No I'm not. I'm familiar with the block and tackle method. Just want to use a winch on this one at this time.
When I made mine 10 yrs. ago, for the Mac 25, I calculated that there was about a 400 lb load on the cable when the mast is horizontal. I used a cheap $15 harbor freight ratchet winch. I understood at the time that Walmart had a $30 brake winch but I could not find one. What ever you do don't get a screw winch. They are temping because they stay put like a brake winch, but you'll be cranking all day. Just make sure that you mount it with the handle on the right if you are right handed, a PITA if you don't.
This is about right with a 6' gin pole. The longer the pole the less force will be needed...
It was calculated for a 7' pole. That is about as high as I can comfortably reach to tie my cable attachment on the mast. I used a 3' 1/2" rope with a loop in the middle. I wrapped it around the mast and tied a clove hitch and finished with a square knot. I attached the cable to the loop along with the baby stays. I didn't like the idea of drilling a hole for a bale if I could avoid it.
I use my 4:1 boom vang. Its a heavy block and tackle and has a cam cleat. My gin pole is 7' and I have a pretty high mast crutch. I can pull up my mast with 1 hand. I don't think its anymore than about a 50lb. lift on my end of the block and tackle. This is on my Mac which sounds about the same size mast.