Electric winch handles

[woodster]

Milwaukee 28V with the wincher socket, raised several 220ish lb gents to the anchor light to change the bulb. Brace yourself unless you want a ride.
Battery indicates the charge left and my wife will use it to pull the 135 Genoa. Never used the WinchRite.

All U Get

glad to see you have a hands on admiral......just a word of caution ....teather the drill to the boat some kind of way as that is one strong tool and if it were to hang up it could go over board ...and caution the admiral as to the fact that it can hang up and snatch out of her hands or even worse knock her down in doing so


regards

woody

 

[adirondacktom]

throwaways

When the Winchrite's lithium battery fails you can either throw the whole unit away or send it to Sailology (assuming the company still exists) and pay $149 plus two way shipping for them to replace the battery. The battery is custom made for the Winchrite so you won't find it on the market and Winchrite hasn't offered the battery or indicated a price for owner replacement.

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

I recently purchased a Milwaukee M28 cordless right angle drill and a "Cranker" adaptor. It works fine for furling/unfurling the main. As my boat has a Lewmar V700 windlass, I have not tried using it to pull up an anchor. Keep in mind that the windlass has 600ft/lbs of torque, while the drill is rated at 1,081 in-lbs of torque. I did use the Milwaukee to bring me up the mast in a bosuns chair. It was like riding an elevator and I weight 228#!

Just my thoughts on the Winchrite, you will always be able to get a replacement or spare battery for the Milwaukee.

 

[Les]

Whoa up, just a moment. First, I've had a Winchrite for three years now and I have never had a problem with it. Although I day sail much of the time the Winchrite is my main device for unfurling and furling the main and jib (I'm 79 with an aneurism). AT the moment the Winchrite is operating as good as ever. However, should I have to replace the battery I would have no regrets. Let's say it cost me $175 for the new battery divided by 50 sail trips times four years equals about $14 dollars per trip. It is worth that for me to still sail.

My problem with the drill is that it is quite heavy and I don't have a satisfactory place to store in my little boat. We looked at it and my wife said she couldn't handle it....and that was in Hardware Sales. On a boat it might be more difficult.

I'm very pleased with the Winchrite and it does not take up much room in my navigation locker. It trickle charges from one trip to the next and it has a spot under the dodger out of the way when not in use. It has never run out of juice and it has allowed me to sail my boat several years longer then I probably have a right to ask.