using a drill for raising the main

[wcwcwc]

I'd be careful using 120 volts in a potentially damp/wet environment.

[Kimber]

I appreciate your concern. If the environment is that wet then the drill stays inside more out of concern for the longevity of the drill then my own! There don't seem to be any obvious ground sources in the vicinity of the winches on the cabin top and the GFCI outlet that the drill is plugged into is yet another safety net that I have in place. Here is my disclaimer: Use at your own risk and don't try this at home. I'm a trained professional.

[Robinho]

I guess the winchrite is waterproof(rain proof), whereas the Milwaukee is not?

[Tyche]

We use a Milwaukee Winch Buddy system which we put together via Ebay. It has become an indispensable tool, not just for raising the sail, but hoisting people up the mast for necessary repair. And as on any boat, when hoisting someone up the mast is usually when the battery craps out! Usually get about 6-8+ hoists out of a charge. We charge the battery on the inverter while doing long range cruising. We use bungee cords and store it tucked against the settee bulkhead by the nav station, so it is accessible and out of the way.

Parsons & Dave Clark
Tyche - 1986 F36 converted to an F38
South Dartmouth MA

[captairman]

Sorry to bump an old thread but I found it helpful and perhaps could add some insight: the very ubiquitous (here in the US) line of Ryobi One+ tools has a pure DC car charger which can eliminate some of the conversion loss going from dc/ac/dc, plugs right into a cigarette lighter. The tool line also has a wet/dry vac in large and small size, the small one is about the size of a tool box and is great for drying out the bilge or other damp bits.