Is it possible to power a winch with an electric drill-driver?
Specialized media have tested differents solutions to power your winches : Ewincher wins the tests!
Let's have a closer look at the alternatives of the electric winch, different magazines have done comparative studies between electric winch handle and converted drills. Their finding is unanimous:
For Yacht, Palstek and Morgan's Cloud magazines, Ewincher is the best solution currently available on the market.
German magazine : Yacht
« The winner of the test is Ewincher, this handle has been designed precisely to meet the requirements of navigation and ergonomics »
Source : https://www.yacht.de/ausruestung/ausruestungstests/e-winschkurbeln-leichter-kurbeln
German magazine : Palstek
« There are marked differences in the 'degree of maturity' of the products, Ewincher is the iPhone of electric winch handles »
Source : https://palstek.de/product/palstek-3-21/
Canadian magazine : Morgan’s cloud
« After having tested the different solutions during this article, we have become real fans of Ewincher, to the point that I now see no scenario, neither now nor as we age, where we would install electric winches instead of buying an Ewincher »
Source : https://www.morganscloud.com/category/rigging-sails/ewincher-review/
These remarks come from a very simple observation:
The marine environment is extremely demanding and you need an handle that is comfortable and secure while being able to deliver constant power despite high tensions.
Drills / screwdrivers are wonderful tools, which, equipped with a specific tip, allow limited assistance in maneuvering your winches.
Discover in more detail the 4 essential conditions that should help you choose your assistance tool whatever the weather is.
A. Power and torque must be sufficient to be able to conduct all manoeuvres.
As you will observe, in the two test videos attached, the available torque, even on the most powerful machines, is not powerful enough for trimming a genoa in 11 knots of wind on a 38 footer, for example.
You must complete you manoeuvre by using a manual handle because the drill-driver will not provide enough power, and precise setting is nearly impossible with this sort of tool.
The first video reproduce basic effort condition you can encounter while sailing on a testing bench with several drilling tools being put to the test.
The second video is a test while sailing on a 38 foot.
B. During a manoeuvre, the efforts involved soon become intense. That is why, it is crucial that correct handling of the tool combined with the position of the user (ergonomics) enables them to retain the torque without effort, bus most importantly, without risk of injury.
As shown in the videos attached, these drill-drivers used on a winch in conditions that are often harsh can soon become dangerous :
C. As for all standard handles, locking on the winch is essential to secure the tool.
No locking on the winch with a drill-driver.
D. The product must be water resistant
Drill-drivers are not waterproof - this is a real problem on a boat!
To sum up, with a drill-driver or an angle-drill used cautiously in dry weather conditions, you will be able to hoist your mainsail, but this will only function if you have a small boat with a mainsail that is not too hard to hoist; otherwise, this system will not work.
Then, you will need to stow it in a dry place and not use it for other manoeuvres, as it is not adapted.
On the other hand, Ewincher meets all these requirements and many more. It can be used on all winches, for all manoeuvres and in any weather conditions.
This product has been designed exclusively to suit all your needs during manoeuvres
As the saying goes "to each their profession".
Ewincher does not know how to drill a hole but is an extraordinary tool for manoeuvres. A drill is a wonderful tool for drilling holes but does not know how to manoeuvre.