I have seen on several sailboat forums talking about powering a swing keel by an electric winch. Well I have done it. I bought an electric 12v winch and two limit switches and put them together. It works well on my Helsen 22' swing keel sailboat. I have put the system on Youtube if you want to see it work. Just type in Helsen automatic keel, and you should get there. If that doesn't work, type in search, omiateeful. Thanks Bob.
12v winch powered keel
- Thread starter rbrown77138
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Very Nice.
Here hopefully is a direct link .....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAAfmLrdZ6E
If our centerboard was heavy I'd sure think about copying you,
Sum
Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID
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Here hopefully is a direct link .....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAAfmLrdZ6E
If our centerboard was heavy I'd sure think about copying you,
Sum
Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID
Our Mac Pages
Mac Links
I'm the one with the 12v keel on the Helsen. The Helsen keel is relatively light as most of the ballast in the Helsen is in the hull. I modified the Harbor Frieght winch to sacrifice power for speed. There are two gears that you can swap to gain more speed. If someone has a heavy keel, this might or might not work, however this winch is a 3000 lb. rated winch so it might not make any difference.
My next endeavor, starting tomorrow, will be power stepping the mast. I am 65, and although I can step it alone, I believe in safety and ease of accomplishment. I have a design in mind and I will post it as soon as I finish it. Bob.
I forgot, in the video, you can see that the boat is missing an 8 foot bench. I am replacing it with styro-foam and glass. I will let you know how it comes out. Bob.
rbrown, would you mind if I post your link over on the Clipper Marine board?? Most of us have keels weighing anywhere from about 575 lbs. to 700 lbs. Hand winching is a big deal with us!
Thanks,
Pete
Thanks,
Pete
LOL My first mate told me I was going to need to set up an electric wench for Our C-22 because she worried about the hand one slipping out of her hands, it failed to lock once and the 900lb keel had it spinning at break hand speed. My salution was the Fix keel C-26.
I'm sorry I didn't answer sooner, I am still learning to navigate around these forums. No I don't mind at all, and I am willing to answer any questions you may have. My email is: rbrown77138@verizon.net
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