Electric Winch on a 42 Passage
- Thread starter Nauti Laopo
- Start date
Instead of the expense of adding an electric winch we bought an eWincher. Easy to use with good ergonomics, works with all winches. Expensive yes, very functional, you bet. We use to raise sails, lift the dinghy, and lift the outboard.
www.ewincher.com
EWINCHER | Electric Winch & Winch Handle for Sailing Boats
Smart Electric Sailing: we design electric winches and electric winch handles packed with advanced technology for sailing boats.
I'd like to have at least one electric winch on the boat. A drill motor would just be in the way in our cockpit and the ewincher is just a high priced drill motor.
12 years ago I would have blown off the idea of an electric winch on any sailboat but the big ones. 12 years ago I was 12 years younger.
Now, I think it would be a great idea for any cruising boat, especially one sailing short handed. Quality rope clutches make it feasible to run any line to the electric winch, even if it is rarely used. I loved my 65st's especially when I was single handing Skipping Stone. Even broadside to the current in the Connecticut River that old 65st hauled that boat up to the dock with ease. We'd even figured out how to use the electric winches should the electric windlass fail.
Now, I think it would be a great idea for any cruising boat, especially one sailing short handed. Quality rope clutches make it feasible to run any line to the electric winch, even if it is rarely used. I loved my 65st's especially when I was single handing Skipping Stone. Even broadside to the current in the Connecticut River that old 65st hauled that boat up to the dock with ease. We'd even figured out how to use the electric winches should the electric windlass fail.
I installed one in cockpit on our H41DS. Not quite the same but the installation process is probably pretty close. It is a Lewmar 45 and I love it. I did have a ewinch but id did not care for it. I raise and lower dinghy with it and use it to go up the mast. I have a remote on it and can control it while dealing with the dingy. Makes life much easier and one of the additions to the boat that is in my top 2 (along with a bow thruster). Not that difficult of an install. The hardest part was drilling the hole in the cabin top. Lots of aluminum and thick! Here is a picture of the plug!
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There is also the situation, aside from mere age and wisdom, that crew injuries on a short handed boat could make could make the drill-grinder tool useful?
I converted all my winches to electric, as I single hand my 49. It was a safety issue, if anything.
I do not like the E Wincher, and other similar devices. I know that it saves money over the built in motors, but I’d need a minimum of 2, as I wouldn’t be switching it from port to stbd.
The install isn’t trivial, as the wire guage is 2/0..
I suggest going with the ELS controller, especially on the larger winches
One thing about electric winches…..
If you’re going to use them for hoisting dinghy, man aloft, etc.,, do not use the self tailing. There are some pretty bad stories about this, which you can read about online
If you are going to use a remote control with the winch, make sure you are very ready to shut off the main disconnect. The small cheap remotes are not industrial grade. Make sure you use a flayback rectifier if you are controlling an inductive load
I do not like the E Wincher, and other similar devices. I know that it saves money over the built in motors, but I’d need a minimum of 2, as I wouldn’t be switching it from port to stbd.
The install isn’t trivial, as the wire guage is 2/0..
I suggest going with the ELS controller, especially on the larger winches
One thing about electric winches…..
If you’re going to use them for hoisting dinghy, man aloft, etc.,, do not use the self tailing. There are some pretty bad stories about this, which you can read about online
If you are going to use a remote control with the winch, make sure you are very ready to shut off the main disconnect. The small cheap remotes are not industrial grade. Make sure you use a flayback rectifier if you are controlling an inductive load
Personally, I'd think that using a drill to power a winch in a heavy weather or emergency scenario would be difficult, if not downright dangerous. It is about the right tool for the job, and there are many jobs that an electric winch can do, that most wouldn't do with a drill driven winch.