Electric wenches

[OldFrog75]

I'm surprised these high power electric winches don't have a torque limiter to lower the possibility of breaking stuff but then I guess that would defeat the purpose in heavy winds with large sails.

[Stumble]

Originally Posted by OldFrog75

I'm surprised these high power electric winches don't have a torque limiter to lower the possibility of breaking stuff but then I guess that would defeat the purpose in heavy winds with large sails.

The electric winches I owned did. But if you have a torque limiter set to trim a sheet, and use it to pull on what should be a pretty lightly loaded line... Well stuff breaks.

[Nicholson58]

Our 58 foot Ketch; 80 mast 135% 5 layer membrane cannot be furled by hand. 50 mm Pro-Furl requires a lot of torque. A manual winch works but takes forever. It must be at least partly furled to tack. We make sure tension is applied as the sail rolls out so the drum has a nice tight wrapping. We use a Milwaukee or the Lewmar 65 electric primaries for furling. Rule is - someone has eyes on the sail while its furling. As noted above, ease the sheet and keep only enough tension to keep it from flailing.

[denverd0n]

For those who can't tell them apart, this is an electric wench...



And this is an electric winch...



Please notice the subtle differences.

[Ex-Calif]

If you can program the first one to sail, do galley chores and boat maintenance I'll take two!

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

If you can program the first one to sail, do galley chores and boat maintenance I'll take two!

You can, but the TCOO is crazy , just like real life !

DAve

[goboatingnow]

PS people that break things with electric winches, break things anyway. As you load up an electric you can tell by feel and sight what's going on.


I was recently with my local mechanic, he's rebuilding the engine in a Hyundai Santa fey, which had seized. The owner expressed suprise and couldn't understand why it happened, even though he last changed the oil in 08 !!!

Breakers will break things

Dave

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

For those who can't tell them apart, this is an electric wench...



And this is an electric winch...



Please notice the subtle differences.

OOOOOOOOO where do I get one?

[rgscpat]

That reminds me that I probably need to go lube some winches.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by rgscpat

That reminds me that I probably need to go lube some winches.

I ain't even gonna touch that one...

[rgscpat]

Quote:
Originally Posted by rgscpat View Post
That reminds me that I probably need to go lube some winches.
I ain't even gonna touch that one...


The line has a special meaning and poignance for our family and friends.

Years ago we were a a bar and restaurant above a marina where a friend of ours kept his older, thirty-five foot Hunter, which was ever a work in progress. Re-doing his winches and portlights were his ongoing projects at the time. He probably spent a few hours working on the boat for every hour of sailing, but just getting to the boat for the weekend and sailing with friends was his big escape from a stressful professional job.

Our family and some other sailors were there when he stood up from his place and announced, in all innocence, "I'm going to go down and lube some winches." He seemed puzzled for a bit when we all broke up.

Some years later, Marty fell off another friend's boat before a regatta and drowned while we were a few minutes' sail away on our boat, so our memories with him are especially poignant and treasured.