Electric Drill Winch

[gettinthere]

I've decided to buy a right angle drill for powering some of my winches. Tendinitis is really acting up when grinding.

I've seen the Milwaukee 28 volt drill. Very impressive, also very heavy at 20 lbs. Is it overkill? I can get an 18 volt right angle drill that is much less heavy & smaller (and cheaper too).

Do I really need the 28 volt?

I have a 42' sloop.

[osirissail]

There was on the marine market a large powerful electric winch "handle" device that you inserted into the hex socket in your winch. They were very large and heavy, not to mention the huge DC power draw to operate it. Another version was listed in an 2007 thread on this forum - Sailboat Cordless Power Winches Mainsail Haul Dingy But as others have posted I don't think the batteries are going to last even one or two sail raising's. And then you will need AC power to recharge the batteries.
- - There are "after-kits" for converting some brands of conventional self-tailing winches to electric winches. Lewmar makes some of them. I converted one winch - the winch I use for raising the mainsail and handling the main sheet to electric. Best thing I ever did. The mains for the jib/gennies are huge Andersons and you really don't grind them all that often. My mizzen winches are quite small and easy to grind.

[roverhi]

No direct knowledge of the drill but the Milwaukee's are what all the plumbers around here use. I have heard the square winch drive bits wear out quickly. Look for the star shaped bits no matter what drill motor you end up with.

[MarkJ]

Yeah, we met some folks in Tonga and he used one and loved it.

I don't think it was 28v, I think 12/14v. It was pretty big but he found it fine as the weight is mainly directed downwards into the winch.

I am quite sure it wasn't the one designed for sailing as that was price iddiocy. I think the hex bit came seperatly via mail order for $40 (Thats just what I have in memory - which is failing )

He was extreemly pleased with it.


Mark

[MarkJ]

This photo off the net does look a bit familier.. and it says 28 volt.
It was big and heavy... but not too heavy for the guy to use. He had medical problems and that was the reason for using it.

[Roy M]

I've got one, and I sold another one to one of my customers. Fritz Richardson, of Pacific Offshore Rigging in San Diego, introduced me to the Milwaukee 28 volt unit. It's especially nice for sending someone aloft in a hurry. You can also use it for an emergency windlass drive if your unit has the winch handle configuration. A heck of a lot cheaper than an electric winch installation, usable on all of your winches, and transportable to another boat when the need arises. Very cool.

[gettinthere]

The unit MarkJ pictured is the one I'm considering.

No comments from anyone using a 12 or 18 volt unit...I'm hoping to hear from those who are using a lower powered unit. Do you wish you had the 28 volt drill?

Thanks

[Joli]

You're probably spinning 60 two speeds and they are gonna require a bit of torque when the breeze is on. Other then a high voltage Milwaukee ra drill I don't know of anything else that is gonna get the job done other then this?

No. 60 Electric Winch Kit

One note of caution with the Milwaukee RA, I have seen the chuck screw shear and the chuck spin off.

[GordMay]

See also, some earlier discussions:

➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ndle-8497.html

➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...nch-29431.html

➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ddy-23444.html

➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ain-17057.html

➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ail-12322.html

➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ail-18633.html

[Steve W]

take a look at this. Lats & Atts Magazine sells it for $599.00 and it uses mutiple charging voltages.

WinchRite

Steve

[Sunspot Baby]

Don't have one, but our dock neighbor opted for a regular 110v unit and run it with their inverter. Lighter than battery powered units and the house bank has a lot more amp/hr available than any of the rechargeable types. Can run engine or genset if needed. Probably pulls less amps than a windlass.

I/m considering the same for the admiral should she ever need to haul my fat a** up the mast.

George

[GordMay]

Milwaukee 0721-20 28V Cordless V28 Lithium-Ion 1/2" Right Angle Drill
$279.99

Goto: Milwaukee 0721-20 28V Cordless V28 Lithium-Ion 1-2-in Right Angle Drill (Tool Only)

[gettinthere]

Gord

Thanks for the links.

I never seem to have any luck doing searches here.

[David M]

I'm wondering how well they hold up in a salt water environment?

[donradcliffe]

I glued a neoprene sleeve around the drill to keep it drier and pad it. The chuck is getting just a bit rusty, but the drill is holding up fine after 2 years. It has the torque to send me up the mast, grind the genoa up the roller furler, and get the genoa (800 sqft) in 95 % of the way for about 5 tacks, then its time to swap batteries and recharge.