I want more info on the modded winch handle. My right foot still has a sore spot from kicking that stupid thing last time out.
my small niece made use of the winch handle as an intermediate step when getting in or out, but ive had my share of scrapes with it, and having clothing and lines hang up on it when pulling them out of the cabin. so i fixed it. but she can still use it as a step when she visits
you can hold the drum of the winch and unscrew the handle from the shaft...
then you can cut the handle stock free of the hub.....
then take three, 3/4" nuts and drill out the threads in the center so they will slip over the pilot shaft of the winch (a little bigger than 1/2")....
stack them on a rod or dowel so that they will be perfectly aligned, so you can weld them together to make one triple high nut.... then weld the stack to the hub that you cut free of the handle. make sure its square and true.... then screw it back on the winch.
then weld a deep-well 3/4" socket to the handle stock....
slip it on the hub when you want to crank, and when its not needed, keep it out of the way in a winch handle pocket on the rear side of the bulkhead board next to the winch.....