On Wed, 21 Sep 2005 11:10:41 -0400, rhys wrote:

One such
break-point, for me, are assistive devices like electric winches or
windlasses: if you are older and/or weaker and/or short-handed, and
the only way you can handle that big beautiful boat is via such
devices, you are pretty well stuck if they break.

Unless you have a satisfactory backup plan, like taking longer to do
the job, or taking other steps to make it easier. All of those hauling
jobs can be accomplished slowly with a block and tackle, but it's
hardly an enjoyable way to do it.

I don't have a windlass, electric or otherwise, but there are
certainly days when I wouldn't mind a little help.

Ryk

On Wed, 21 Sep 2005 23:42:21 -0400, Ryk
wrote:


Unless you have a satisfactory backup plan, like taking longer to do
the job, or taking other steps to make it easier. All of those hauling
jobs can be accomplished slowly with a block and tackle, but it's
hardly an enjoyable way to do it.

That depends. If you are trying to coastal cruise in a two-week
vacation window, more power...literally...to you. If you are
passage-making, wherein you combine longish trips with longish
anchoring-out, you might want both the security of the manual
"old-school" options, not to mention the needed exercise. It used to
be noted that a lot of cruising couples had massive backs and
shoulders from winch-work, and skinny little legs from little more
strain than bracing themselves in a cockpit. These days, of course,
you just install a marinized folding exercise bike in the saloon as
your automatic bilge pumps whirr...G

I don't have a windlass, electric or otherwise, but there are
certainly days when I wouldn't mind a little help.

And I wouldn't begrudge it to you. But I would suggest a manual
windlass, or even a come-along/handy-billy, just for the exercise in a
Great Lakes type of situation.

It's not the electric gear I find problematic in a blue-water (as per
the original poster) situation; it's the exclusive reliance on
electric gear. For the record, I like stuff like spring-wound starter
motors and windvanes, as well...but I'm no Luddite, just prudent, I
hope.

R.

Rhys makes an important point here... It=B4s fine to have the toys to
make things a little easier, but without the routine exercise to keep
the muscles working, (not to mention the mind), you won=B4t have it when
you really need it.