I have an issue with WinchRite - I purchased a Hunter 376 three years ago, it came with a non-functioning WinchRite. I sent it to Sialology with $150.00 and they repaired it. worked for two seasons, then died again, Sialologywant about $170.00 this time. I am saving for an electric winch conversion.
Lewmar Electric Winch Conversion in Hunter 376/380?
- Thread starter bigbrownpilot
- Start date
I'm saving for an electric winch conversion too. We'll have to see how long the WinchRite holds up. So far so good but I haven't had it long enough to know for sure. Its a stopgap for right now but if it fails I'll probably go with an angle 18V or 24V drill for the time being.
Conversion is the way to go.
Make sure that when you do the conversion to measure the holes at least 3 times to make sure you are drilling in the right spot.
By the way, here is the best trick in the world (honest)
When you try to take off the existing winch, you will find it was mist likely bedded down with either 4200 or 5200.
So, you have 2 choices for removing the winch:
Choice 1.
Take a knife, and try to cut away all the exposed sealant.
Then take a thin putty knife, and try to get it underneath the winch, going "tap tap, tap", for about an hour, while wiggling or trying to somehow get a small crack at the base to wedge the putty knife into.
Or...
You can use my patented method.
Take your jib sheet, or other 1/2" line.
Tie a bowline in it, large enough to just slip over the winch drum.
Now, take the free end of the line, and run it fair to another winch. You might need a snatch block, or similar.
Now, slowly grind.
And "presto", the winch will just break the base sealant and pop off.
This takes about 2 minutes.
You're welcome.
While I appreciate that a winchrite handle costs a lot less than a proper conversion kit, you get what you pay for.
Make sure that when you do the conversion to measure the holes at least 3 times to make sure you are drilling in the right spot.
By the way, here is the best trick in the world (honest)
When you try to take off the existing winch, you will find it was mist likely bedded down with either 4200 or 5200.
So, you have 2 choices for removing the winch:
Choice 1.
Take a knife, and try to cut away all the exposed sealant.
Then take a thin putty knife, and try to get it underneath the winch, going "tap tap, tap", for about an hour, while wiggling or trying to somehow get a small crack at the base to wedge the putty knife into.
Or...
You can use my patented method.
Take your jib sheet, or other 1/2" line.
Tie a bowline in it, large enough to just slip over the winch drum.
Now, take the free end of the line, and run it fair to another winch. You might need a snatch block, or similar.
Now, slowly grind.
And "presto", the winch will just break the base sealant and pop off.
This takes about 2 minutes.
You're welcome.
Thanks for the tip!!! I've copied this to my "tips and tricks" folder. Is there any chance if its 5200 of cracking the fiberglass when doing this? I wouldn't want to cause a bigger problem. I think it may be a good idea to tap tap tap lightly on the winch or on a wedge with a rubber mallet while its under load? Not too hard of course! Wouldn't want to damage the winch internals either.
Won't crack the glass
The last guy I gave this tip to was upgrading his 49 cockpit winches.
They were size 54, with a ton of sealant on them.
Took 5 minutes.
You can tap it if you wish. But, this is a really slick trick, and will just let the winch pop off. You will be seriously impresssed.
The last guy I gave this tip to was upgrading his 49 cockpit winches.
They were size 54, with a ton of sealant on them.
Took 5 minutes.
I have an Hunter 376, 1997, whose Main almost caused me a few " heart attacks". Talked w/ Hunter technician at Annapolis Boat Show. Lengthened Main Halyard by 1 1/2 length, attached one end to top of mast, went down one size in diam., & put a single, free-running block on line which shackles to Head of Main, then back up Mast over sheave, and down to Main winch. My petite Admirale can now raise the main w/o a problem. " Murphy"s Law " : I had just purchased a Winchrite a few weeks before the show !! : { It also works well. Now, I have two options, don't hit my head in main cabin, and best of all................. $$$$ in my pocket !! ; } " MURPH "
Got any pictures?
Would love some pictures if you have them. pm me and I'll give you my email or you can post them for everyone. Thanks
I've had one heart attack (not while sailing) and don't want another. Sounds like a good solution for a big main and a "senior" sailor. Wonder why its not done more often? Any problems with the halyard hanging upon anything, jumping the sheave or other such issues? Does anybody else have this setup and what may be drawbacks?
Would love some pictures if you have them. pm me and I'll give you my email or you can post them for everyone. Thanks
>Has anyone converted the Lewmar 44 winch to electric in their Hunter 376 or 380? Cost? Issues? Problems?
I replaced it with an electric 44. Only thing critical is where you cut the hole to mount the switch. If the hole is where I put it, it gives you easy access to the mounting screws for the winch. See the archives where I describe this.
allan
I replaced it with an electric 44. Only thing critical is where you cut the hole to mount the switch. If the hole is where I put it, it gives you easy access to the mounting screws for the winch. See the archives where I describe this.
allan
Smokey 73, I'm " computer- challenged ". What does pm mean ??? : { Anywho, I will get pics and send them + detailed conversion instructions to anyone who is interested. My e-mail: murph243@msn.com. When I spoke to Petengil ( sp? ) Top Tech for Hunter, there were two more in line w/ same problem. Word spread fast & several others were very interested. Red Sky re: Winchrite ( up this page ) is a sailing friend of mine & he did the same conversion. Save your nitroglycerin tablets for shoveling snow !! And, $$$$ for " boat drinks ". ; } I can raise Main from cockpit when single-handling, w/o using Winchrite !! : o Fair Winds.... MURPH
Big Brown Pilot, I should add that I have a " slick-slide " ( don't know real name ) sail track. Also, horizontal tension/pressure of the battens at the Mast should be relieved/reduced. Fair Winds.....MRF
Power winch
I converted my Lewmar halyard winch to electric and now I wouldn't be without one, think about the next time you need to send someone to the top of the mast. Send me your e-mail address and I will send some pics. Its a neat installation and does not get in the way of anything. tomclarkg50@gmail/com.
I converted my Lewmar halyard winch to electric and now I wouldn't be without one, think about the next time you need to send someone to the top of the mast. Send me your e-mail address and I will send some pics. Its a neat installation and does not get in the way of anything. tomclarkg50@gmail/com.
Re: Power winch
Thanks Dave, pictures would be greatly appreciated. What boat do you have?
Dan
danshar@atlanticbb.net
Thanks Dave, pictures would be greatly appreciated. What boat do you have?
Dan
danshar@atlanticbb.net
Thanks, John. We're in-mast. Will probably do the port inside 40 winch when we get to it!
Dave
We finally bought an electric winch conversion kit for the port inner Lewmar 40 on our Hunter 380. It's our christmas gift to one another! Getting the in-mast mainsail in and out has been a chore for me, and the problem is that once it gets to a certain point, a gust of wind takes it all the way out, so when you want to reef down, you have to tighten the outhaul, then winch it back in with tension, otherwise you just have a mess inside the furling mast. Right now, the worst part of the job seems to be running the 2-gauge positive and negative cable from under the headliner to the electrical terminals near the battery. I've looked at the Hunter manual and tried to figure out how to use the same run as the factory cable for the electric winch option, but I'm still not sure how to pick that up. We found a pull string in the starboard inner headliner that we think is for the factory winch option. Does anyone have some insight into running the cable on a Hunter 376/380/386 hull plan?
Thanks,
Dave
Thanks,
Dave
I can help
First of all, running cables through head liners take experience, patience, and time.
Chances are you wont be able to run the cable as Hunter did, as they installed it with the deck off.
When you are fishing cables through s head liner, you are working in "steps". You need to get it a certain distance, then see where it goes from there.
Some excellent tools are a fish tape, some straightened out coat hangers, and here is the best.
Go to Home Depot, and buy several. Feet of bead chain. Then, go to a hobbie store, and get the strongest magnet you can buy.
Bead chain is magnetic, and you can fish it through liners. Attach a piece of whipping twine to a 2 foot section. You will be a amazed how well this works to get a wire fished