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Hi all,
I keep seeing electric winches being flogged, the most recent was the weekly Cruising Compass, so I wrote a letter to the editor. I thought it may be of interest.
Hi George,
I believe that most of those who electrify their winches find that it is more expensive and challenging than first lead to believe. Often it is the installation that kicks things up in price and also the finding that their boats electrical system, including the charging of their batteries, need upgrading.
Decades ago, we tried one of the right-angle drills with a winch size bit being flogged at the boat shows (we had the drill so it was just buying the bit) and found it far too lame for use (underpowered and did not last very long). It was quickly reverted to just being a drill.
In our efforts to “geriatrify” Alchemy, we bought an “eWincher 2” this season, a device made/designed in France that I have been hearing good field reports about over the last couple of years.
It has turned every winch on Alchemy into a power winch. So far it has had power to spare for all we have asked of it, the most challenging was taking me up the mast. It has made easy the many duties we have found onerous such as Ginger on the winch when we want quickly to raise the dinghy out of the water with me fending the dinghy off Alchemy’s topsides. It also does the last few feet of raising the main (I hand raise most of it) along with other regular duties.
The battery pack’s charge has not failed us, but I am pretty diligent about having equipment well cared for and charged up.
There are other attributes and thoughts, but enough for now. Come back if you wish more.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy, Anderson Bay, The North Channel, Ont., CA
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