Electric winch Mast Raising 26x

[tico]

I placed a picture in the mods page.

I would like to know any safety inputs in regards to my setup.

I used a pressure treated wood 4X feet long by 5.5 wide and the thickness is about 1 1/2 inches.

I could have bolted the winch in the anchor compartment, but with the anchor line being there it could create a rust problem later for the winch and also it may leack inside.

The winch was bolted with 4 screws and nuts into the wood, then I used two tide downs to get a grip from the trailer. it looks very strong.
I would try to use this week just to practice.

My plan is to be raising the mast with the remote control while I am checking the boat around to make sure nothing is getting tangled.

As a safety I could use a rope while raising or lowering the mast for the first couples of times to see how it works, better be safe than sorry.

The main reason to come up with this idea is because I rig everything myself without no help.

The winch could support up 3000 LB, it was onsale. for 70 bucks.

I would be using the gin pole that came with the mast raising system from the factory.

Fairwinds
Tico

[Craig LaForce]

I have thought of mounting a 12V winch down in the cabin with the cable led up through the hatch opening. No doubt it would require some wood to attach in some way. That 80 ft of rope and pulley system is a royal pain to rig up and untangle each time. luckily I keep the baot in a slip and only contend with this every year or two. Still it would be nice to have a winch.

However, that arrangement you posted looks like a lot of work, and maybea little hazardous if not fastened in place with some bolts. I assume you will still use the baby stays also to prevent the mast from going sideways?

[tico]

Definetly I would use the same original equipment that came with it, the only difference is the electric winch.

It's not alot work, the winch is already attached to the wood,all I need to do is attach the tidedowns to the trailer.

When you are done, put it away the wood with winch away with is one piece all together attached.

One option is to put it in the anchor compartment , bolt and unbolt the winch so it would no be fix to avoid the rusting process.

But I dont know how strong the fiberglass is there (anchor compartment) even with a piece of plywood to hold the winch down.

Does anybody know the tickness of the fiberglass over there?

Thanks for your inputs.

Tico

[Rich Plumb]

Just a thought.... How about installing a small 12 VDC horizontal anchor windless on the bow, and use that?

~~~~~~~~_/)~~~~~~~~~
Rich Plumb, "Plumb Crazy"
26X, Covington WA

[tico]

Okay, after some thoughts, I did make the changes to secure the winch plate against the fiberglass with a piece of 19 inches of treated wood, previously mentioned.

it came out fine, I am uploading some pictures for the latest mod.
That should do it.

4 bolts were used to secure the winch plate at the anchor compartment.
the thickness is about 1/4 at the bottom of these compartment.
It was re-inforced with a piece of treated wood in the inside.

tico

[Craig LaForce]

Looks good. That way you can even use it to drop and raise the mast on the water if the need arises. WIth the winch now being forward a bit from the original padeye location, a longer mast raising spar might fit the new geometry better (at least when doing the final tensioning to attach the forestay). But if it seems to work OK, might not be worth the trouble.

[tico]

I tried yesterday and work as I expected.
Hands free guys.
By the way I didn't have to change the gin pole.
Fairwinds sailors.

Gus

Pura Vida my boat's name.