Want To Buy: small winch

[markxengineerin]

I'm looking for one small winch (#8 thru #16), single speed, self-tailing, with driveshaft accessible from the bottom. I will be adding a motor for DIY conversion to electric. "driveshaft access" is somewhat subjective, but the important thing is the ability to drive it from below without too much tear-up. Here is a good example of that in a Lewmar6, where it looks like a winch handle tip could be welded to a shaft that then sticks out the bottom side

Application is for furling up staysail/genoa which can almost be done by hand, but in some difficult cases electric assistance would be nice.
Sketch:

[Jim Cate]

Perhaps you have considered this, but our response to the problem was to buy and use a 28 V Milwaukee right angle drill and an adaptor that plugs into the TOP of any winch on the boat. It has been very successful over the past 8 years. Perhaps not as convenient as proper electric winches, but for less than 500 bucks it made fiscal sense that even I could see!

Jim

[markxengineerin]

Hi Jim, I did see that idea, and it's definitely the cheapest way to go. I'm hoping to end up with something similar but without having to heft a drill around, thus the idea to permanently mount something underneath. I also happen to have the space available under the deck but above the ceiling panels, otherwise unused.

[ggray]

You might check with Andersen winches.

I have an Andersen 12ST with an underdeck drive/handle, but it seems they don't sell them anymore. I bought mine 18 years ago. However, it might be possible to modify a regular 12ST your self, or get parts from Andersen to make the change.

Andersen still makes an underdeck winch, but only a non self tailing model now.

[Sam Woodbridge]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Perhaps you have considered this, but our response to the problem was to buy and use a 28 V Milwaukee right angle drill and an adaptor that plugs into the TOP of any winch on the boat. It has been very successful over the past 8 years. Perhaps not as convenient as proper electric winches, but for less than 500 bucks it made fiscal sense that even I could see!

Jim

Jim, if by chance you see this, will you post a link to the adaptor you use with your drill?

Thank you

Sam

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by markxengineerin

I'm looking for one small winch (#8 thru #16), single speed, self-tailing, with driveshaft accessible from the bottom. I will be adding a motor for DIY conversion to electric. "driveshaft access" is somewhat subjective, but the important thing is the ability to drive it from below without too much tear-up. Here is a good example of that in a Lewmar6, where it looks like a winch handle tip could be welded to a shaft that then sticks out the bottom side

Application is for furling up staysail/genoa which can almost be done by hand, but in some difficult cases electric assistance would be nice.
Sketch:

One thing I've noticed on electric winches is that the electric drive won't work when a winch handle is inserted on the top. (the winch handle presses a button inside which cuts off the electric drive). This is a safety measure, to prevent the winch handle from spinning when the electric drive is running, which could be dangerous.

So, if you weld a socket on the bottom of the winch shaft it seems that it would defeat that safety measure.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Sam Woodbridge

Jim, if by chance you see this, will you post a link to the adaptor you use with your drill?

Thank you

Sam

Sam, this is the one I use, but there are several other models on the market:

https://www.thecranker.com/

Jim

[ggray]

Originally Posted by wingssail

One thing I've noticed on electric winches is that the electric drive won't work when a winch handle is inserted on the top. (the winch handle presses a button inside which cuts off the electric drive). This is a safety measure, to prevent the winch handle from spinning when the electric drive is running, which could be dangerous.

So, if you weld a socket on the bottom of the winch shaft it seems that it would defeat that safety measure.

Yes, but if the OP's intention is to drive solely from the bottom side, there wouldn't be a winch handle mounted on top.

Mine is operated (cranked) from the bottom, and while there is a socket on top, I never have a handle inserted there.

[Sam Woodbridge]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Sam, this is the one I use, but there are several other models on the market:

https://www.thecranker.com/

Jim

Thank you Jim


Sam