I intend to install an electric halyard winch on my 30U and would appreciate comments from members who have done this. I am looking for the most economcal and reliable system. Also, did you do it yourself or have a yard do it.
Paul Valcour, 86’ 30 U SEA FEVER, #328
I have a Lewmar 40 on my 26C. Very reliable. Circuit breaker is in starboard lazarette. Two push buttons: one at winch on the cabin roof, and one between my legs at the helm position. I would highly recommend a hand held remote switch with a six foot cord at the helm position so that you can monitor the raising of the sail as the battens at the roach pass thru the hanger lines and the wishboom. On the boat when I bought her. Bob Horne, 1989 N26C #249, ENCORE.
Awhile back on this listserve, there was a discussion about the downside of using self tailing electric winches - all pertaining to the dangers. In addition, there was an article in one of the sailing magazines concerning the loss of fingers and hands. I have an old electric capstan that is wonderful but which is no longer available. It is very nice to have. If it fails and needs to be replaced, I would never have a self tailing one.
Joe Valinoti
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221 (1984)
Sea Harbour Yacht Club
Oriental, NC
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I do not have an electric winch. Perhaps I will want one sometime, but I completely agree with Joe about getting non-self tailing.
I happened to sail aboard another boat years ago with a gentleman, not the owner, who warned others aboard to be careful of getting fingers or more under lines to winches, and we had no electrics aboard. He had owned a large yacht years earlier with electrics and showed us his hand with parts of several fingers missing as a result of being caught in a winched line. The sight and story he told was a very convincing lesson.
Fred
Fred Rachwitz
Nonsuch 30U Concerto
Harbor Springs Michigan
Northern Lake Michigan
Paul,
I have a large electric Barient (#28, I believe) mounted on the port cockpit combing. It was installed shortly after Moonbeam was built in 1988. It primarily serves as a sheet winch. I use it when I am shorthanded for the halyard. There is a large car mounted forward of the winch on the combing so it can also be used on the anchor rode. Moon beam is stored in Essex, MA. You are welcome to come have a look, as I know you are nearby.
Rick Merullo
Moonbeam, 30U 1988 #471
Manchester, MA
I recently installed a Lewmar 40 winch on my 26U. It’s very useful, especially when I’m single handing. It has a six foot remote cable so I can operate it from the helm.
Installation took about 60 hours including the control and power wiring. The clearances were tight so I made a wood mock up of the drive motor to make sure it fitted. This was far easier than juggling with the ~40 lb drive itself. Modifying the fiberglass cover in the cabin interior to add the winch box took about another 20 hours. Make sure you have rounded corners on the box to avoid incising grooves in your head. As the door in the bulkhead behind the winch was blocked by the box I replaced the hinges with magnets.
I agree the pinch point where the halyard line enters the winch is dangerous I’m now looking at various alternatives to add a guard at this point. I’ll add the guard this summer.
I have a lot of photos of the installation if you are interested.
John
Great job! I have been seriously considering adding an electric winch to my 30C and had concerns about how to deal with the motor/drive inside. You did a great job on that.
Very nice.
David
“Spray” 1981 30 C #93
Westport Point, MA.
I disagree about the self tailing electric winches.
I have never had a problem, or lost any fingers.
Solution…BE CAREFUL and practise Situational Awareness.
If you are worried, install TWO push buttons that must be pushed
simultaneously for winch operation that will occupy both hands and keep all
fingers far from the danger.
Interestingly, I mounted my Lewmar electric on the STARBOARD side of the
coachroof.
The run of wire needed was short and direct from the house batteries
directly below; the fuse mounted on the bulkhead in line with the winch,
and I got to keep the large Port side winch. The halyard crosses from Port
to Starboard at the mast base, and causes no problems.
I suggest that you strongly consider this non-standard option.
Ed Collis
ORION VII
Toronto
Hi Paul,
Instead of installing an electric winch in a single static location, you may want to consider the WinchRite Electric Winch Handle (by Sailology). I purchased this device several seasons ago and it has performed very well.
It works with both single and two speed winches. You can use it on every winch on your boat, not just a single dedicated winch.
I primarily use it to raise my halyard (I can still control the helm while operating the winch handle) with the portside coachtop winch, but have used it on the reefing lines on the starboardside coachtop winch when conditions called for still needing to keep a hand on the helm. Though the majority of the time I sail solo, the unit is light enough (6lbs) for just about anyone to use. Toward the end of this past season, after damaging my right shoulder (non-sailing related) I used it to trim the mainsheet instead of grinding away.
As my Nonsuch has a secondary halyard installed on the starboard side, the WinchRite handle has been very useful to get me up the mast on one halyard and to raise/lower the boom on the other halyard while I am up the mast (obviously I had help doing this!).
I get about 5 lifts of the sail before it needs to be re-charged. Simple enough.
The other advantages is cost of the unit - today, approximately $600(?) - and no cutting/drilling, motordrive jutting into the cabin, or installation costs/time. Just charge it and you are set.
I did have an issue the first season with the unit, but WinchRite’s (Sailology’s) customer service is excellent and they corrected the problem without hesitation, and all has worked beautifully since.
Just thought I’d mention it as an option for you.
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKEWALK III 1987 30U 430
Jersey City, NJ
I also purchased a WinchRite a couple years ago. Works great!!! $500. at the boat show and no installation.
Bob McPeek, NS30C, Pau Hana