+xHi 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
Hi all, In a private comm, I was asked for more information: so I thought I would share it.
Hi all,
I bought mine at Cockles Harbor Marina at the end of Long Island Sound (Shelter Island), USA, but a few places had them. The following is an early days (6 weeks cruising) field report. My take is that many who look at the cost etc. to electrify winches will be adopting eWinchers.
Cons:
It was $2,000 US.
It is a bit bulky and a bit awkward to wield around the cockpit. No big deal, but not the same as a regular winch handle.
Any item that needs re-charging is a bit of a pain and entails attentiveness to not be caught with a dead battery.
Made in France, so repairs may be an issue (this may change as they are more widely sold in the US and CA. That said, my research indicates that they are pretty robust.
Using it is not without effort, but the effort is bracing oneself to hold the handle in place as it turns the winch: again no big deal once acclimated.
Pros:
Turns all winches into electric winches.
Especially nice for winches where a full swing is hard or impossible to accomplish as you hold the eWincher in one position.
Has a blue tooth connection to your phone which sets up easily and allows for setting torque upper limits and other parameters as well as feedback on stats on your usage of the handle.
It is built just like a regular winch handle, but a bulked-up winch handle. This allows the handle to be used like a regular winch handle (using no electric power), or just with power, or both for a very fast taking in of line.
So far it charges fast and holds its charge for a reasonable period (one purchase option is for an extra battery).
It has variable push button speed: High speed is faster than I can do by hand.
Electric winches have significant safety issues to crew and to the boat. I believe these to be much less of an issue with the eWincher.
Seems well waterproofed. Ours has been in the rain repeatedly.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy