Hi all,
I'm seriously considering converting my Lewmar 48's to electric with a kit from Lewmar, (I've checked with them and mine are upgradable).
Has anyone done this? If so, can you explain the pitfalls I might encounter, (I'm going to do this myself).
Thanks!
W
—
Wally
"Onanne"
2000 MKII, deep keel, tall rig
Lake Champlain
Wally - I sailed on a Morgan last Summer that had power winches on the head sail and they were nice! We used one to furl the sail as well when the winds were starting to make that a chore. BUT - they did seem to tax the batteries pretty hard during use So some healthy wiring might be in order. The head room needed can also be an issue in some boats - not sure about ours?
Defender seems to have a sale going on for the kits:
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|118|3071|311600&id=1145980
Good Luck
_____________
Harold Baker
S/V Lucky Duck
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan Michigan - Lake Huron
1989 C-36 mkI TR/WK M25XP
One disadvantage of power winches is that they will keep grinding if you get a minor jam turning it into a major jam if yur not really careful, particularly with furling mains. Do you really need powwer winches?
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
This is the Milwaukee Heavy Duty 1/2 inch Cordless Drill I use in place of a power winch. It is not as powerful as a power winch, but it gets the job done raising the main, furling in the jib and to some degree pulling in the jib sheets. It will not pull the sheets in all the way. I find I have to hand crank the sheets in when they start to have a heavy load.
The star shapped bit that fits into the winch is available at [url]www.info@winchbit.com[/url]
I paid $253.50 for the Milwaukee drill through Amazon and less than $50 for the bit about five years ago.
Milwaukee Right Angle Drill features
Speed control switch for controlled starts
Convenient, forward/reverse
Heavy-duty gear box, 0-400/ 0-1000 RPM
Head and handle swivel 360° - Can be locked tight in any position
28 Volt Milwaukee HIgh Power Motor
Side Handle
Milwaukee 0721-21 Right Angle Drill Kit
Tool
1 Battery
Charger
Chuck Key
Side Handle
Carrying Case
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
BUT be aware it is not a light item, hard to stow, and generates aLOT of torque, enough that you have to make sure that you brace yourself. It will work in both forward and reverse but you have to make sure that the hex screw that is in place with locktite or it WILL spin the bit off. all that being said it makes raising the main a breeze and i haven't found a problem with it bringing the jib in all the way, if it set for the second speed on the winch.. fwiw..
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig