The hidden dangers of power winches

[AD28]

BTW the knife should not only be sharp, but SERRATED.

[Saleen411]

Originally Posted by Muckle Flugga

How long does it take to move 20cms with a powered winch? A couple of seconds? 20cms is long enough do blow a fitting if at the top of the mast, or rip a body part off if somewhere below and caught. I NEVER put anyone on the end of a powered winch. I will steadfastly maintain it is very bad practice. Ready access to a breaker does not sufficiently mitigate this danger, as a catastrophe can occur EXTREMELY rapidly. A milwaukee or other power assist in place of winch handle is fine by me. All ascents should be done with a safety line. Trust me it is just as easy as doing it without one. I do it all the time. (a few extra seconds on set up is all). But putting a human up a height attached to a beast like a powered winch is just a catastrophe waiting to happen. Would you attach someone to the drive shaft on a geared down purchase?

That Jolly Harbor story is just horrible. Thanks for casting light on an incredibly important issue.

Those reading will undoubtedly save themselves from serious injury or death by heeding your advice and practice.

Cheers mate!

[LakeSuperior]

Power winches seem like digital maps - they work 99% of the time so you grow to trust them implicitly.

Then they turn around and tear your arm off or sink your boat.


We all know cruising is just another word for repairing stuff in exotic locations. In some ways the desired reliability is why the Air Force spends $800.00 for a toilet seat.

Engineering and manufacturing reliable equipment that doesn't fail or fails at 1/10 the rate of sailing stuff is expensive. Much of gear we need would be made potentially unaffordable.