Rechargable sheet winches

[banyandah]

Veteran sailors may find their shoulder muscles and tendons suffer with advancing age. I know my right should has a clean tear of the supraspinatus tendon, a common injury at my age.

A sailing buddy of a similar age uses a 32v rechargeable driver to power his sheet winches with a star bit in the chuck.

I'm thinking of following his lead and wonder if others have used either a rechargeable driver or impact driver?

My winches are not as large as my friend's and I'm wondering how much power will I need to winch in 330 square feet of headsail.

[Suijin]

I would NOT use an impact driver. That's just asking for trouble with the gears on your winch.

To try it I would just go by a Ryobi 18v from Home Depot, provided it has a high torque/low speed setting.

[Cotemar]

Most are using a Milwaukee M28 right angle drill with a Winch bit in it.
Also works great for bringing someone up the mast to replace a bulb.
M28
WINCH BIT HOME

[bobconnie]

We are useing what Cotemar said above ! a right angle drill. We are sailing 51 ft ketch with a 61 ft main mast, and Im almost 75 and Connies 61 and 110 lbs, so it sure saves our butts( or arms I guess) Won't leave the dock without it and a spare !! Just our 2 cents