Ah, You've come to the right person. I have Winchrite number 5 (or was it number 7) and have had it for three plus years now. I am now 79 years old with an aneurism on an ascending aorta. That and an assortment of other infirmaries at one time or other made sailing look look like it was becoming part of my memory bank. I downsized to a smaller boat (Hunter 27) with furling main and jib; got a walk thru transom to make it easier to get on board. But winching out the main and jib was stressful--winching them back in as well.
AND THEN CAME THE WINCHRITE. I now sail with the best of them. I won't let anyone else set the sails--I have too much fun. I stand in the companionway and just pull the trigger on the Winchrite. Out (or in) goes my main and then my jib. Need to reef the main a bit? Put the Winchrite on the furling line winch, control the outhaul line and pull the trigger. It's done.
So far the Winchrite has allowed me to sail three more years so far....
Now please don't take these comments to suggest that I think the right angle drill is not worthy. It probably is but my Winchrite is so much lighter in weight and it stores when we using it inside the dodger (has its own place) and easily stores below in the navigation locker.
Weight turned out to be important for my wife and I. This summer coming back from Friday Harbor I let her finally use the Winchrite. She pulled out the main and the smile on her face was a delight to me. Two old duffers sailing together once again. She would not have been able to hold the right angle drill--way too heavy for her, and we wouldn't have had a place to store it on this little boat.
I trickle charge it (12 volt) between day sails and short trips. It has never run out of power on me but an average day sail is just pulling the sails out and furling them back in.
I consider the Winchrite one of the most cherished items on board along with my 3 blade Max prop, my Webasto furnace, and my Raritan marine head (old guys need to go all the time) as necessary to continue to sail.
Trust me, it is a worthwhile addition to your boat.
Les
