Also was wondering if winch handles work for any winch or are they specific to winch size and make? I have lewmar 10's can I buy anyone of the self locking winch handles?
Gene T said:I love the plastic handled ones, and that is all I will buy now. They float (not that you would be likely to retrieve one) are strong, lightweight, don't mark up the gelcoat and are cheap. What's not to like?
Gene, I don't know how you use yours, but in my boat, they havn't lasted more than 2 weeks, they broke, all 3 of them. Mind you I use the pretty big ones, and voilentely.Gene T said:I love the plastic handled ones, and that is all I will buy now. They float (not that you would be likely to retrieve one) are strong, lightweight, don't mark up the gelcoat and are cheap. What's not to like?
Wow. That must be some abuse you're giving those winch handles! My wife and I were taken along on a race one evening, on a boat we were considering buying. At one point the captain wanted the jib halyard tightened up. Winch was on the mast. So first I tried it tailing the line myself. Not tight enough. Handed the line off to one of the crew to tail it. (Luckily the halyard was on a clutch.) I ended-up hauling on that winch handle with both hands with all my might to finally get it as tight as he wanted it. The winch handle flexed, but it did not break. Now I'm no Atlas, but I'm no 90 lb. weakling, either. I work out two-to-three times a week. I weigh about 190 lbs. (86 kilos).Giulietta said:Gene, I don't know how you use yours, but in my boat, they havn't lasted more than 2 weeks, they broke, all 3 of them. Mind you I use the pretty big ones, and voilentely.
I think you just made a French pun, Alex.Giulietta said:Mind you I use the pretty big ones, and voilentely..
Jim,SEMIJim said:Wow. That must be some abuse you're giving those winch handles! My wife and I were taken along on a race one evening, on a boat we were considering buying. At one point the captain wanted the jib halyard tightened up. Winch was on the mast. So first I tried it tailing the line myself. Not tight enough. Handed the line off to one of the crew to tail it. (Luckily the halyard was on a clutch.) I ended-up hauling on that winch handle with both hands with all my might to finally get it as tight as he wanted it. The winch handle flexed, but it did not break. Now I'm no Atlas, but I'm no 90 lb. weakling, either. I work out two-to-three times a week. I weigh about 190 lbs. (86 kilos).
Jim
Oh, I belive you, all right. Believe me when I say I know well I'm in no position to question your judgement on anything having to do with sailing .Giulietta said:Jim,
You can't imagine the abuse the handles get when we're sailing hard on my boat, believe me...
...
I have been using winches and winch handles for over 30 years, and that is something I know about...
Cuz they were "very cheap?" I think I would've taken a pass. Having a winch handle break while you're wrenching on it seems like it could have disasterous consequences.Giulietta said:any way one day I went to West Marine and bought 3 of these to try them out, they were very cheap and West marine only charged me for 2, so why not???
I dunno... I know I said I wouldn't question you, but are you sure it has enough heft for the task?Giulietta said:The third one is still in the boat, and ask Tom or Valiente what I told them when they brought it outside to be used..... It is there to be thrown at the next jet sky that comes near me.....for that its good...
Very well. If I find myself at West Marine looking for winch handles, I'll look for ones that look like that. Thanks!Giulietta said:Finally I returned to the US and told Westmarine and they gave me 2 new ones of their brand (made by Schaeffer if I am not mistaken), to try out. (the store manager in Portsmouth is a true gentleman and I like him a lot,he knows how to do business that's why I go there a lot, my favorite store in the US).
Here they are all 6 of them I use on my boat, the West Marine ones...
I'm again surprised. I would've thought Lewmar or Harken would've been top-of-the-line winch handles.Giulietta said:I tell you I don't use Lewmar's or Harken's for one reason.....and believe me I am really critical about my handles...
Hisaurav16 said:Also was wondering if winch handles work for any winch or are they specific to winch size and make? I have lewmar 10's can I buy anyone of the self locking winch handles?