I have heard of people who use a cordless drill with a couple of batteries as a driver for boat winches. Could any of you that have done this or know someone who has let me know the details. What kind of insert is used for the winch and what kind of cordless drill. I have a shoulder that periodically complains when I trim or furl so an inexpensive make do solution would be helpful.
Drill to power winches
- Thread starter Eric Mitterndorfer
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You need a fairly beefy drill to work the winches...the bit you need is called a winchbit, and you can find it at www.winchbit.com . It requires a 1/2" chuck—which means an 18 or 28 VDC drill.
Yes, the Milwaukee V-28 series are about the only drill that is geared for that and can handle it.
When the first cordless power drills to drive winches came out some years ago, I scratched my head in wonder. I was at the Annapolis Boat Show a few years ago and decided to look at some of those 45-ft luxury "day sailors" that can barely accommodate 2 people and some only have "bending over" head room below. Most of these boats had a myriad of electrically driven devices that made my manually driven head spin. I wondered about the people who had over $500k to spend on a "day sailor" that they really did not want to sail, but somehow got enjoyment out of setting all their electronic devices and sitting back to watch the boat sail itself.
Sorry for the editorial comment, but I am one sailor looking forward to doing most or all of my upcoming spring maintenance, mostly by hand, and getting some enjoyment out of it. I then look foward to having the boat launched, bending on the sails, and then hoisting and trimming them, again by hand, and then having a good sail that "requires" me to hand sail the boat....
Sorry for the editorial comment, but I am one sailor looking forward to doing most or all of my upcoming spring maintenance, mostly by hand, and getting some enjoyment out of it. I then look foward to having the boat launched, bending on the sails, and then hoisting and trimming them, again by hand, and then having a good sail that "requires" me to hand sail the boat....
We have used this, http://tinyurl.com/ylcup64 With great success and the winchbit on our Mariner 40 ketch. We still have it, the battery charger and one battery and now own a trawler so no longer need it if anyone is interested. Chuck
I'd point out that the milwaukee right angle drill and winchbit are half the price of the WinchRite device you mention. The Milwaukee drill can also be used for other things and is far more ergonomically designed. The horizontal handle on the WinchRite is horrible from a leverage or ergonomics perspective—unless you're looking to break your wrist.
We use the 28v Milwaukee right angle drill with the winch bit on our schock 35 to primarily lift the mainsail. The drill came from CPO which sells reconditioned units. I was very surprised when it arrived and appeared to be like new. It has worked perfectly and really eases the over 55' lift.
http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/factory...id=milwaukee-reconditioned-right-angle-drills
http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/factory...id=milwaukee-reconditioned-right-angle-drills
Warren, me, too.After my ski accident and the second surgery, this will be my "season of return!" I promise to leave only a clean wake, hand driven, of course!
Most winch handles are about ten inches from handle to drive bit. Cut one in half and weld in a one foot extension. I just need my winch for the last two feet of mainsail halyard.
Edit to add: in days of gaff rigged sails they used a multipart tackle on the throat halyard.
Edit to add: in days of gaff rigged sails they used a multipart tackle on the throat halyard.
I use the 28v Milwaukee right angle cordless drill on my Beneteau 51 to raise the two part main and crank the Lewmar 65's winches. I bought te reconditioned model and an extra battery. Also use it to lift my 12 foot Caribe on deck. Charges fast through the inverter and always ready when needed. The bit can be a single square or in my case a double square. Try it, you'll like it. I just turned 70 and it was a great sailing life extension for me.
Having seen the winchbits in magazines, I went to a booth at the Annapolis boat show. That guy said his were machined from stainless steel, but you had to also buy his "drill", which is probably where he gets his profit. I was wondering why a square of some size wouldn't operated the winch. Cayennita, do you know offhand what size that square is? Of course, there's still the 3- sided part, but you can do that with a grinder.
I thought about getting some kind of electric help the last time I had to winch someone to the top of the mast. I actually made a few sketches to attempt to build something from a 12 starter motor or windlass motor, but, nothing actually came of it. I just grunted the winch with a long handle.
Just bought a square bit off ebay for $26 including S&H. Haven't tried it out yet. He also makes some accessories. I am going to try out my 18V right angle for routine purposes, but a 28V is definitely needed if you think you are hauling someone up the mast! www.thecranker.com or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/THE-...6977930QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/THE-...6977930QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear
Hoisting a heavy load has always called for a multi part tackle. Other wise you can put a big turning block at the foot of the mast and lead the line to the anchor windlass. The guy going up the mast should also be lending his/her muscle to the job.
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