Raising sails

[RustyBucket]

Has anyone tried raising sails on a 32 footer using cordless power drill on winch?

[S/V Adeline]

Does your sail raise with a wire halyard? I don't think my cordless has the torque to muscle up a sail.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by RustyBucket

Has anyone tried raising sails on a 32 footer using cordless power drill on winch?

We use the Milwaukee 1/2 inch, 28 volt lithium powered drill with 2:1 right angle reduction and a winch bit. All sails are roller furl but we hoist once a season. The Genoa is around 150 pounds and the friction is quite high. We also use this tool to furl the Genoa. It has enough torque to lift me up the mast if the right winch is used. Look for a factory rebuilt unit on Amazon.

WINCH BIT HOME This is one supplier. Look up winch bit in a search and you will find several and some videos.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BjWSIliLalo

[JPA Cate]

Rusty Bucket, we do as Nicholson 58 does, and it is fast and safe, too. Has plenty of grunt for the job, but you do need to be prepared to recharge the batteries. The "Milly" as we call it, can also hoist Jim to the masthead, perhaps faster than he likes, too, and although it is heavy to me, it also sheets in jib sheets, or furls in roller furling headsails way faster than I can, by hand.

Ann

[capemiker]

Great combo

[RustyBucket]

Do you think a regular 20 volt cordless diss will work?
Is a self tailing winch a must?

[Scott Berg]

We use the same Milwaukee 28v model; can easily raise a sail, take a person up a halyard, or pull a 200# dinghy up onto the foredeck assuming a properly sized winch (we use a Barrient 27); love ours after 13 years constant use!