Drill assisted Mainsail hoisting

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by nfbr

I have the NEW Model Milwaukee 18v fuel brushless. Standard. Not right angle.
61ft cat. 25m mast. Large heavy main with 2:1 halyard.
Hoists it no worries at all.
Much lighter than the right angle drills.
My winch is on mast. Lets me hold bit in more easily.

That sounds promising! And I can see that for a horizontally mounted winch on a mast the standard drill configuration would be ok... if there is an adequately long handle to absorb the necessary torque. I guess there must be...

How do you find it for use in vertically mounted winches like typical sheet winches? On our boat it would be awkward to get good access with a standard drill... I think.

Jim

[freshalaska]

So what does the fuel mean, I’ve always been not understanding this term.
What kind of fuel and where do you get fuel etc..
Thanks for any clarification. Love these new tools and the prices.

[Captain Puget]

I have been watching the discussions on drill assist options, as I get older it is getting harder but I refuse to go quietly into the night!

My most recent delaying tactic as a option to a drill was simple - a longer winch handle! A 13” two handed handle has made all the difference in raising the mainsail! Cheap and effective.... but I can see the potential for a drill in my future 😉

[stubones99]

How about this one from sailrite?
https://www.sailrite.com/WinchRite-A...s-Winch-Handle
$779

[Phyrcooler]

Originally Posted by freshalaska

So what does the fuel mean, I’ve always been not understanding this term.
What kind of fuel and where do you get fuel etc..
Thanks for any clarification. Love these new tools and the prices.

Marketing hype. Means nothing.

[Phyrcooler]

The ideal tool would be sized like the Hole Hawg (not the Super Hawg), but with a low speed 0 - 300 rpm gearing.

[IslandHopper]

When i do use it, which is not often, i have a Winch Bit that came with the boat and an AEG 18V Drill that that does the job just as good anything else, I've also just bought an AEG 18V Brushless Multi Tool that has a Right Angle Drill Attachment available that I will pick up the next time I'm in town, it will make it a little bit easier than the drill but not by much.

The beauty of this for me is these are all tools that I use for other jobs, I just cannot see the point in buying an expensive specific tool when I have others on hand that will do the job just as good, and be just as reliable, for half the price and be useful for a multitude of other tasks.

[Rucksta]

Am I missing something?

I tried an electric winch handle and found the effort of holding it was greater than the effort of winding a handle.

At least with the manual handle I could use my body weight to produce rotation instead of relying solely on upper body strength.

Alternative to the handle was to reduce friction in the main hoist so the 55' luff main goes up without a winch.

Is my sailing experienced diminished by the absence of herculean efforts and power assistance to perform normal operations ?

[HankOnthewater]

Most of us are biased to what we have or know.
Therefore I suggest to Mawingo and others who are thinking about some help in winching to try before you buy. Where possible, borrow some of these tools from fellow sailors, and see how that works for you on your boat. For those close to me, happy to lend you my Milwaukee 28 volt angled drill with the bit as in post #37.
I purchased that with the knowledge that one day my strength will be not good enough to keep sailing. I hope that this drill will extend sailing my current boat by 2 or 3 years That will give me then time to get a smaller boat.

But looking at the 54 Volt Dewalt drill...... awesome torque there, good enough for the biggest load on the biggest boat, and reading the blurb, it also can detect if there is some binding and then cuts out, one of the objections in post # 19. However just wondering how one can hold onto the drill without being ripped out of one's hands.

Hmmm, I have also the AEG tools as in post #37, but have not tried them with the winchbit, maybe I should have before buying the Milwaukee. Maybe that is the first step, buy that winch bit (around $40 aus ie from Harken).

[gbillman]

I've got one for sale. Used twice. Wife bought me a power winch for birthday so no longer needed. PM me if interested

[Phyrcooler]

Originally Posted by gbillman

I've got one for sale. Used twice. Wife bought me a power winch for birthday so no longer needed. PM me if interested

Which brand/model?

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by HankOnthewater

But looking at the 54 Volt Dewalt drill...... awesome torque there, good enough for the biggest load on the biggest boat, and reading the blurb, it also can detect if there is some binding and then cuts out, one of the objections in post # 19. However just wondering how one can hold onto the drill without being ripped out of one's hands.

They say it has a clutch:
This drill provides exceptional power, control, durability, and runtime with its 60V brushless motor, E-Clutch System, mechanical clutch, and 2 variable-speed ranges. Equipped with the innovative bind-up control feature called E-Clutch System, this drill increases user control in bind-up/stall situations by sensing a stall during use and managing torque accordingly.

\
https://www.cpooutlets.com/dewalt-dc...SABEgJ33vD_BwE

[Jolly Roger]

Well guys, if y'all had in-mast main furling, you wouldn't need drills at all.

[gbillman]

Originally Posted by Phyrcooler

Which brand/model?

Milwaukee M28 with battery and charger.

[GregD]

I'm using the 18v Milwaukee on my Nonsuch 30 and it works great. Not sure which model as it came with the boat when I purchased it 2 years ago. Plenty of torque and battery capacity. I can get the model if you are interested.