I have a M25 and a V222 both have the winch handle in about the same spot...... right inside the companionway hatch about dead center as you step down into the boat (I'm sure this isn't new info to anyone ). I don't see it as much as an issue but the admiral seems to find it most distressing, I've talked about using a bungee or something similar (read more attractive) to pull it off to the port side but seems that may not be enough she's still worried someone will get hung up on it.
So the question is has anyone found a good way to deal with this? Is the handle removeable? Better way to move it out of the way, just curious what others may have done or do you all just live with it and go sailing?
I don't think it's a good idea to remove the handle. If you have to put up or down the keel in a hurry, you would be screwed. I make sure mine is always in the lowest position (6 o'clock) and don't seem to have any troubles. I have heard of people using small electric winches for the keel. That would solve the handle problem, but would create others. Maybe you can devise a folding handle for the end of the main handle or a quick release of some sort.
Yours is much different than mine, I'll snap a pic tonight and post. But looking at yours does give me a few ideas I'll have to see if they look feasible when I'm taking the pic tonight.
My M25 had the winch handle inside behind the ladder. I moved the handle outside into the cockpit. Simply reversed the winch, bored a hole, extended the handle. Much much better when sailing, esp. running downwind or aground. One of my best mods. Really doesn't ever seem to be in the way, but perhaps your admiral might say "it's still in the way".
Ok, so here's what mine looks like I'm working on a new board to cover it so a good time to make a mod. I like the way cuscus's is and it addresses another issue for the admiral the long step into the boat. And looking at the side view currently the winch is set aft of the cable a bit anyway so moving forward shouldn't be an issue. Did you do this mod yourself? I'm guessing the frame inside has to be fairly sturdy to support the winch? Any pics of what it looks like with the cover removed?
Since the board I removed looked original I'm assuming this is the stock setup. Anyone else have pics of their setup?
I do also like the idea or retrofitting the winch to work with a sheet winch handle.
At this point open to input and suggestions as to how others may have handled this.
Yep, you've got the stock setup. That's a Dutton-Lainson 800# brake winch. You can reverse the winch using the same bolt holes as I recall. The handle has to be extended to reach thru to the cockpit. The end of the handle when placed on the outside will just clear the cockpit sole.
IMPORTANT-- The board you mentioned is a critical structural element. It ties the cockpit structure to the lower hull. Without it, the forward part of the cockpit will sag when the keel is up, since it carries more than half the weight of the iron keel.
Leaving for a few days. PM me if you want pics.
Voltz, what year is your boat? Mine is a 1979. This picture shows the original winch/step setup, which is part of the liner. All i did was to cover it with stained plywood and a piece of wide plank oak flooring (upside down) for the step. There should be something to help support the forward end of your cockpit?
Voltz, here are afew more pics I found of my "step/winch mount". There is a 1/2" piece of plywood that is sandwiched between the back of the step and the front of the cockpit well. There are two 3/8" bolts that go through all three pieces and support the front of the cockpit.
My boat is a 1980 hull I'd macr0020m80c, which just has me totally confused. Our boat are so different mine doesn't have the internal step but has an external one. In looking at the pics I would have said yours was newer. I'd love to see more folks post pics of 25's and their years of mfg.
I'm still trying to figure out how to best handle the winch and handle issue at least I can see how things we done at different times. Just to make sure I'm seeing this all right mu hull I'd is macroo20m80c which I read as a 1980 Mac 25 hull # 20 produced in Oct.
Current thought is to turn winch around to handle comes out in the cockpit and adapt so I can use standard sheet winch handle. Any one have thoughts or comments? I understand that I still need the board that connects from the cockpit to the inside liner. My thought is it can now be completely vertical with a step added and no worries about the winch handle or how it might play into the mix.
Voltz, you are reading your HID correctly. Seems like 1980 was the cut-off for the new/old 25's. You don't have the small side decks and your "windows" don't have aluminum frames, right? Also, you probably have a sliding galley too? I think the idea of turning the winch around and adapting a winch handle to it sounds like a good plan. Make sure the handle isn't too long, or you'll be banging your knuckles on the cockpit floor.
I don't see how you can adapt a sheet winch handle to work with the keel winch. The keel winch is a "brake" winch and the flat face of the handle becomes an integral part of the system that engages the clutch mechanism that allows the winch to "brake."
I don't see how you can adapt a sheet winch handle to work with the keel winch. The keel winch is a "brake" winch and the flat face of the handle becomes an integral part of the system that engages the clutch mechanism that allows the winch to "brake."
You can't use any handle other than a modified version of the original. It can be cut off and extended to fit thru the cockpit wall. Leave it centered at the bottom and it won't be in your way.
). I don't see it as much as an issue but the admiral seems to find it most distressing, I've talked about using a bungee or something similar (read more attractive) to pull it off to the port side but seems that may not be enough she's still worried someone will get hung up on it.
