Electric Winch Recomendations

[marklees]

Hi

I sail a 1986 Hunter Legend 37. I am looking to replace one of the halyards manual winches with an electric winch. They are 30s and I have not seen a conversion kit, so assuming will need to install a 40.

Would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks, Mark

 

[dlochner]

Not specific to your boat, however, things to consider on the electric winch conversion.

Most electric winches have motors that hang down below the winch itself, do you have room below the winch for the motor? I believe Selden is an expedition and have a self-contained winch.

Wiring can be an issue, the winch will draw large amounts of current for a minute or two. This will require large cables, perhaps as large as 2/0 depending on where the cables connect to the battery. This can be both expensive and hard to run. Last I checked 2/0 is running around $8-10 a foot.

In addition to the cost of the winch there will be installation costs for materials and labor if not a DIY job.

A more affordable and flexible option is an electric winch handle. My favorite and one I have used for several years for raising the main, putting the dinghy on deck, lifting the dinghy motor, and hauling my wife up the mast is an eWincher. Not cheap, but efficient and the most ergonomic of the electric winch handles out there.

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.

www.ewincher.com

 

[jssailem]

Lewmar’s EVO winch series has a kit to convert the winch to electric.

As an alternative there are two ideas. If the current winch is single speed you can look for a two or three speed winch with longer winch handle.

Alternatively some owners find a right angled battery powered drill like the Milwaukee to be easier on their budget

 

[Tally Ho]

I couldn't remember if I posted this video previously or not...I hadn't finished it, so put it together real quickly.

This shows how I can raise the mainsail on my O'Day 322 in about 10 seconds, using a Milwaukee right angle drill and a winch bit. I have been using this for years, and it works great.

I do have a 2-speed halyard winch, and so that does make a difference. I can raise the sail really fast spinning the drill in one direction, and then when it bogs down a little, I flip the switch to reverse the drill, which uses the slower (but more torque) on the winch to get the sail all the way up. But it does it really fast.

Also, I have lazy jacks and full battens in my sail, and you can see how easy it is to guide the sail between the jacks as I raise it, just by using my free hand to move the boom right or left a little as the sail is going up.

I will have to remake this video (there was some sort of smudge on the camera lens). But you will get the idea...

Greg

 

[jssailem]

Nice video Greg. I like how you eased the pressure on the sail and rig by heading into the wind and maintaining your bearing with the AP while raising the sail.

Same procedure I use, except I do it manually at the mast. Takes maybe an extra 2 minutes to accomplish the same task.

 

[jviss]

Not cheap,

Wow, I'll say! Looks like over $2k these days.

I'm saving my pennies for a Harken 35 electric, just under $3k, plus, of course, a switch, wires, a breaker, and my DIY labor.

 

[marklees]

Thanks all, really helpful. I do like the Milwaukee option.

 

[marklees]

I couldn't remember if I posted this video previously or not...I hadn't finished it, so put it together real quickly.

This shows how I can raise the mainsail on my O'Day 322 in about 10 seconds, using a Milwaukee right angle drill and a winch bit. I have been using this for years, and it works great.

I do have a 2-speed halyard winch, and so that does make a difference. I can raise the sail really fast spinning the drill in one direction, and then when it bogs down a little, I flip the switch to reverse the drill, which uses the slower (but more torque) on the winch to get the sail all the way up. But it does it really fast.

Also, I have lazy jacks and full battens in my sail, and you can see how easy it is to guide the sail between the jacks as I raise it, just by using my free hand to move the boom right or left a little as the sail is going up.

I will have to remake this video (there was some sort of smudge on the camera lens). But you will get the idea...

Greg

Thanks for the video. Which model drill do you use?
Thanks, Mark

 

[jssailem]

Mark, it looks like the one in the picture I shared.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2 in. Brushless Cordless Right Angle Drill MFG# 2708-20

There are many. You may find one, more or less, to your liking.

 

[marklees]

Mark, it looks like the one in the picture I shared.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2 in. Brushless Cordless Right Angle Drill MFG# 2708-20

There are many. You may find one, more or less, to your liking.

Thanks so much. There are many, with very varying prices, I want to make sure I buy one with sufficient power. Best, Mark

 

[Tally Ho]

Thanks for the video. Which model drill do you use?
Thanks, Mark

I use a Milwaukee M28 Right-Angle drill. But I think that the M18 Hole Hawg that @jssailem referenced may work to. I am not sure different the specs are on these 2 drills.

When I got mine, I first had a winch bit that went into the chuck. But when I reversed it hard (I think I was trying to raise someone up the mast), I broke the set screw that held the chuck from unscrewing… so I found one that replaces the chuck completely. Since this drill is dedicated to the boat, I don’t ever need the chuck.

I think it would work fine with a chucked winch bit, just don’t try to crank people up the mast with it.

Amazon.com

Greg

 

[marklees]

I use a Milwaukee M28 Right-Angle drill. But I think that the M18 Hole Hawg that @jssailem referenced may work to. I am not sure different the specs are on these 2 drills.

When I got mine, I first had a winch bit that went into the chuck. But when I reversed it hard (I think I was trying to raise someone up the mast), I broke the set screw that held the chuck from unscrewing… so I found one that replaces the chuck completely. Since this drill is dedicated to the boat, I don’t ever need the chuck.

I think it would work fine with a chucked winch bit, just don’t try to crank people up the mast with it.

Amazon.com

Greg

Thanks!

 

[Tally Ho]

I just updated my video of raising the main with my Milwaukee right-angle drill…

This one may a bit clearer and easier to see the drill and bit.

Greg