With the in-mast furling main it takes me forever to crank it in. So I am thinking of installing an electric motor to my Lewmar 4.0 winch.(Its got a little decal on it telling me that it is possible) Has anyone done this already and could share with me the success or lack of? My boat guy says it will cost me about $2600 to do it. Is this a reasonable price?
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Power winch jams
I can't comment on the cost but a dealer I know comments on how nice they are. They take the work out of sailing a bigger boat. The downside is you can't just crank them without keeping an eye on the sails and sheets/halyards. They have enough power to jam either to a point you wouldn't want to deal with. As long as you stay attentive their fine.
I can't comment on the cost but a dealer I know comments on how nice they are. They take the work out of sailing a bigger boat. The downside is you can't just crank them without keeping an eye on the sails and sheets/halyards. They have enough power to jam either to a point you wouldn't want to deal with. As long as you stay attentive their fine.
$1200 for a winch buddy!
or a real electric winch for $2000. Jim, I would just jump for the extra buck and get the real think. We have one for our main and it is wonderful. It also makes going up stick very quick and easy. I just wish our boat had two of them.
or a real electric winch for $2000. Jim, I would just jump for the extra buck and get the real think. We have one for our main and it is wonderful. It also makes going up stick very quick and easy. I just wish our boat had two of them.
3 best inventions
1. electric winch 2. autopilot 3. ice maker priorities may differ depending on time of day
1. electric winch 2. autopilot 3. ice maker priorities may differ depending on time of day
Don't forget an exercise machine.
With all the power assisted gadgets we have to get our exercise somehow.
With all the power assisted gadgets we have to get our exercise somehow.
In mast furling
Jim, I have a 2005 38 ft Hunter with in mast furling that I have owned since new. Perhaps your drag/friction problem lies else where. I have never had to winch my main sail in. I always hand over hand it and it winds up just as fast as I can pull the the furler line in.
Jim, I have a 2005 38 ft Hunter with in mast furling that I have owned since new. Perhaps your drag/friction problem lies else where. I have never had to winch my main sail in. I always hand over hand it and it winds up just as fast as I can pull the the furler line in.
Cordless drills
The large sized angle drills made by companies like Milwaukee do have the power to gridn winches like Ross says. A decent machinist can make one a bit for a reasonable price. The winch buddy is nothing more than this, but more expensive.
The large sized angle drills made by companies like Milwaukee do have the power to gridn winches like Ross says. A decent machinist can make one a bit for a reasonable price. The winch buddy is nothing more than this, but more expensive.
By Hand
You should be able to pull it in by had,point in to the wind first,my 36 can always be do by hand. Try it and have great day we are off sailing to CT. today Nick
You should be able to pull it in by had,point in to the wind first,my 36 can always be do by hand. Try it and have great day we are off sailing to CT. today Nick
Milwaukee works
Milwaukee 18v right angle drill about $250. I actually think they've upgraded it to 24V now. For the bit go to ebay and type in winch bit. I got mine for $20. Hurt my shoulder last year and had a hard time winching up the main, this solution works great and is a lot less than a winch buddy. It'll also trim a jib in a heartbeat. Just gotta be careful you don't have a line jam. Have also used it to haul somebody up the mast.
Milwaukee 18v right angle drill about $250. I actually think they've upgraded it to 24V now. For the bit go to ebay and type in winch bit. I got mine for $20. Hurt my shoulder last year and had a hard time winching up the main, this solution works great and is a lot less than a winch buddy. It'll also trim a jib in a heartbeat. Just gotta be careful you don't have a line jam. Have also used it to haul somebody up the mast.
The nice thing about a drill
Is that they have durable torque-limiting clutches. Assuming it's a usable amount of torque (which, the higher settings are usually prety close to the max torque anyway), you could use that feature to avoid overloading anything.
Is that they have durable torque-limiting clutches. Assuming it's a usable amount of torque (which, the higher settings are usually prety close to the max torque anyway), you could use that feature to avoid overloading anything.
In-Mast Furling Joys
My in-mast furling is a bear if I do not: 1. keep the boom to port when furling in, 2. regularly spray McLube on the furling drum and bearings 3. keep the furling in-haul free from twists, 4. keep the vang released, 5. keep the topping lift adjusted so the boom is parallel to the ocean, 6. keep the boom car well lubed, 7. keep the outhaul running freely through it's rope clutch when furling in, 8. make sure the furling in-haul line is in good shape and replaced every two years. If I do all that, furling-in is a snap and take a few seconds. I cannot imagine having to use a drill and bit to get the thing in. Peter
My in-mast furling is a bear if I do not: 1. keep the boom to port when furling in, 2. regularly spray McLube on the furling drum and bearings 3. keep the furling in-haul free from twists, 4. keep the vang released, 5. keep the topping lift adjusted so the boom is parallel to the ocean, 6. keep the boom car well lubed, 7. keep the outhaul running freely through it's rope clutch when furling in, 8. make sure the furling in-haul line is in good shape and replaced every two years. If I do all that, furling-in is a snap and take a few seconds. I cannot imagine having to use a drill and bit to get the thing in. Peter
Wow
Wow, I can't imagine just hand over hand bringing in the main on my Hunter 38. It is not hard work winching it in just that it takes considerable amount of time. My arm gets tired. I am not thinking of going for the drill idea, but motorizing the winch. I think I'll try some of the lubrications and see if it makes it significantly better.
Wow, I can't imagine just hand over hand bringing in the main on my Hunter 38. It is not hard work winching it in just that it takes considerable amount of time. My arm gets tired. I am not thinking of going for the drill idea, but motorizing the winch. I think I'll try some of the lubrications and see if it makes it significantly better.
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