"Steve" wrote in message
...
I'm afraid I seriously limited my winch size option when I installed the
welded winch pad on my mast.

I used the assumption that a #16ST Lewmar would be adequate. What I didn't
realize was this winch wasn't available in 2 spd. The power ratio of this
winch is 15:8.1..

I'm not sure what I really need but I do know that I have trouble sweating
up the last 10 ft of sail with this single speed winch. (not to mention
that
it cranks backwards (counter clockwise) in it's single gearing.)

I'm ready to upgrade to a larger winch size so I can have 2 speeds but the
winch pad on the mast will only except something around 3 3/4" to (at
most)
4 1/4" base dia.

Welding a new pad on the mast is not practical, at this time, due to
internal wiring and halyards. And I can't locate a bolt on pad that fits
my
mast contour.

Any ideas??

Comments and thoughts would be appreciated.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

- I've seen winch brackets that are more U-shaped flanged rectangles that
are riveted to the mast. Place over the existing bracket and rivet to mast

- Bolt on a larger pad to your existing pad using the existing Lewmar winch
mounting holes. A larger winch should have a larger bolt circle.

- mount the winch on deck

- remove internal halyards and weld on another pad! Are you that close to a
wiring conduit that you risk burning it?

Evan Gatehouse
ceilydh **at** 3web **dot** net
---- rewrite my signature to send email