While at the Annapolis boat show recently I happened upon a man showcasing the Winchrite powered winch handle. I was impressed with its light weight and ease of use. He had a demo mast with rigging and a bucket filled with cement at the end of a halyard , guessing 75# or so to haul up. What I expected was to have my arms wrenched out their sockets while using it and yet it was quite the opposite. There’s more information on the link below…they might still honor boat show discounts.
Of note, I installed a Harken electric winch for the halyard a few years back so I had no need for this device. I’d consider it otherwise. Regards, Gary /Aloki NS 30329
I’m considering one of these for my mainsheet when rounding a point or mark and having to reel it in against the 35kt blows here in SF Bay. I’ve also rigged my Lewmar electric halyard winch with an inexpensive remote control so that I can raise the main without leaving the wheel.
Michael Jabara
Hobbes II - 1995 NS 354
San Rafael, CA
I have one that I purchased at the Toronto Boat Show when they first came out, had it for years, works flawlessly. Makes short work of sail raising. I never used it on the mainsheet winch though but it should work well.
Brian McCuaig. NS30u
Whitby, Ontario
“Having a Nonsuch is reason for being more cheerful than most."
I bought a Winchrite 3 seasons ago for the halyard. Worked flawlessly for the first season but broke (gears are nylon, or so I was told) during the second season. I returned it to the manufacturer and they repaired it for free even though the warranty had expired.
I didn’t want the Winchrite to break again, so I bought a Milwaukee right hand drive drill for the halyard. It works great for the halyard but would be a too cumbersome for use as a sheet winch drive.
We use the Winchrite for the sheet. We pretend to race our boat but when the wind gets up to about 15 knots my wife has a hard time sheeting, so she uses the Winchrite on the fast setting. Works great and I suspect it will not break in that service. In effect, the Winchrite makes all our winches, except the halyard, power winches. Note, my wife doesn’t like to steer when we are racing. Otherwise, she steers, and I trim the sail.
On the other hand, if you would prefer the ergonomics of a traditional winch handle you might want to look at the eWincher. Last Christmas that was my gift from me to me because it costs more than the Winchrite. There are lots of videos including one from a boat show showing it lifting 350 pounds. Besides the ergonomics, I like it because it’s more versatile and can be locked in place until I’m finished sailing for the day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1RrwNRZ6iY
Herb G. Huber, MISTOFFELEES 30C#91, Bridgeview Marina, Point Edward/Sarnia, Ontario
