Where to find folding winch handles?

[Project_Mayhem]

I'm interested in a folding winch handle for my mast mounted winch. So far this is the only reasonably priced one I could find but I'm not sure if it will fit a standard winch. It would obviously need to be cut down but I'm ok with that.

Lever Maneuver Handle Winch Curtains Sun 00155MC MM.150 Folding Galvanized | eBay

 

[Justin_NSA]

Only one i find is the "Flipper".

Flipper - Foldable Winch handle

Package Contents: 1 Winch Handle 1 Neoprene Winch Cover 1 Keychain Set 2 Stickers 1 Use and Maintenance Guide

easysea.org

 

[vhoisington]

Why folding? I keep a winch handle at the mast, mounted in a winch pocket attached at the base of the mast. Of course I have 2 winches on my mast but, I don't have to worry about which winch handle I winch with, and my crew doesn't have to unfold anything so its simpler for them as well.

Just a thought

 

[smokey73]

I'm interested in a folding winch handle for my mast mounted winch. So far this is the only reasonably priced one I could find but I'm not sure if it will fit a standard winch. It would obviously need to be cut down but I'm ok with that.

Lever Maneuver Handle Winch Curtains Sun 00155MC MM.150 Folding Galvanized | eBay

Doesn't look like the right bit on the end for a standard sailboat winch?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Doesn't look like the right bit on the end for a standard sailboat winch?

That's what I suspect as well

 

[capta]

I also can see no reason for a folding winch handle, but the one you are looking at is galvanized steel, which probably won't stand up to being on a boat very long.
We keep a handle in a winch on the mast and it is instantly available for any of the winches. I can just imagine a folding one not unfolding just when you need it most or the tiny pin at the joint breaking, because that is Murphy's Law, isn't it?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Having a winch handle sticking a foot out from the mast is a safety concern. Im often putting the sails up while I'm being tossed around so the fewer things I have to mess with the better. A folding handle seems like the best of both worlds. I also have a tendancy to misplace things so it's best if i have a semi-permanently attached handle.

Im not terribly worried about the handle snapping off since it's not a heavy load. I can get the main up 90-95% of the way without a winch

 

[Stu Jackson]

I owned a Catalina 25 for 13 years and never felt the need to use a winch on the mainsail. Could your issues raising your main fully be traced to something else?

 

[Davidasailor26]

Even if you cut down the originally pictured handle, how would you keep it from falling out of the winch on every passing powerboat wake? I prefer the idea of having a holder on the mast and keeping a handle there if you will need it often enough.

 

[ggrizzard]

Non-locking aside, your pic looks a lot like a "Tin Lzzie" (Model T Ford) crank handle to me.
there is a locking winch handle available here:

Sea-Dog IT FLOATS Locking Winch Handle (8in)

Your dedicated source for sailboats, sailboat parts, sailing gear, and expert advice. Trusted worldwide since 2005. Let us help you get out on the water today.

westcoastsailing.net

for $23 USD which should work for light duty.

 

[Timm R Oday25]

We were taught to wrap the halyard around the winch several times when the sail is almost all the way up . Now pull the halyard away from the mast and watch the leech tension increase . Tail the winch and repeat . No need for a winch .

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I owned a Catalina 25 for 13 years and never felt the need to use a winch on the mainsail. Could your issues raising your main fully be traced to something else?

A very squeeky block at the top of the mast that hasn't seen lubrication in 20 years? It'll be serviced at the end of the season

Even if you cut down the originally pictured handle, how would you keep it from falling out of the winch on every passing powerboat wake? I prefer the idea of having a holder on the mast and keeping a handle there if you will need it often enough.

I hope and pray that their prop tries to eat it A hammer and shims could hold it in there while still being able to force it out if needed

We were taught to wrap the halyard around the winch several times when the sail is almost all the way up . Now pull the halyard away from the mast and watch the leech tension increase . Tail the winch and repeat . No need for a winch .

Do you mean simply wrapping the halyard around the winch and then pull on the tail? Sounds like it's creating a 2:1 ratio almost

 

[Davidasailor26]

Do you mean simply wrapping the halyard around the winch and then pull on the tail? Sounds like it's creating a 2:1 ratio almost

Not really pulling on the tail - that wouldn't add any mechanical advantage. Rather pulling on the length of line above the winch before it enters the mast, in a direction straight away from the mast. Then you tail the winch to take up the slack as you release the part above the winch. It's a technique called sweating the halyard, and can provide lots of mechanical advantage if you can tail the slack out properly.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Not really pulling on the tail - that wouldn't add any mechanical advantage. Rather pulling on the length of line above the winch before it enters the mast, in a direction straight away from the mast. Then you tail the winch to take up the slack as you release the part above the winch. It's a technique called sweating the halyard, and can provide lots of mechanical advantage if you can tail the slack out properly.

Is this for putting the sail up or down? Is this technique relying on line stretch to help pull slack out (kind of like a spring)?

 

[Davidasailor26]

Is this for putting the sail up or down? Is this technique relying on line stretch to help pull slack out (kind of like a spring)?

Putting the sail up. (If you need a winch to pull the sail down, you really do need to fix your friction situation )

It's not really line stretching. It's all the mechanical advantage of pulling perpendicular to the mast that overcomes the friction and weight of the sail, pulling it up a few inches. Then the friction holds the sail up while you quickly pull the slack out, letting the halyard return to the mast. Then repeat to move another few inches.

Possibly a better description at eOceanic - Getting the sails up faster and easier by 'sweating' the line

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Totally makes sense now. I'll give it a try next time I go for a sail

 

[RoyS]

I would also like a folding winch handle. I have a pocket mounted on the front of the mast for the handle. Twice the jib sheet line caught and flipped the handle overboard. A handle that folded that may not get caught by the sheet would be nice. I hate carrying a winch handle forward to raise the mainsail. Winch handle will not fit in my pants pocket securely so I have to keep it in my hand which I need to keep me on board.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I would also like a folding winch handle. I have a pocket mounted on the front of the mast for the handle. Twice the jib sheet line caught and flipped the handle overboard. A handle that folded that may not get caught by the sheet would be nice. I hate carrying a winch handle forward to raise the mainsail. Winch handle will not fit in my pants pocket securely so I have to keep it in my hand which I need to keep me on board.

You brought up some good points that I never thought of

 

[Ron20324]

I just came from BaconSails.com store in Annapolis. They have 5 bins of handles, but none that fold. Sorry

 

[Joe]

I would also like a folding winch handle. I have a pocket mounted on the front of the mast for the handle. Twice the jib sheet line caught and flipped the handle overboard. A handle that folded that may not get caught by the sheet would be nice. I hate carrying a winch handle forward to raise the mainsail. Winch handle will not fit in my pants pocket securely so I have to keep it in my hand which I need to keep me on board.

You might consider moving the winch handle pocket to another location, on the back side of the mast perhaps... under the boom.