WinchRite ABT Cordless Electric Winch Handle
- Brand:
- Winchrite
- Part no:
- WR4
Image: Fisheries Supply
Where to buy
The WinchRite ABT is a cordless electric winch handle made for sailboats. It runs on a 21.6V lithium ion battery and a brushless motor that gives more efficiency, more torque and less internal heat. It works on single and two speed winches that take a standard eight point handle, starts with a chimed soft start and has a sealed circuit board. A multi-format 110/240V AC charger and a 12V DC trickle charger are in the box. For the most pull and the lowest battery use, run it at the winch's lowest speed.
Our take
The brushless motor is meant to deliver more torque with less heat, but the maker says to run the handle at your winch's lowest speed for maximum pull and the lowest battery use. On a two speed winch, that means low gear when you want full pull.
From our buying guide
Harken says its handles fit international standard winch sockets and other makers' winches, except old bronze Merriman-style ones. Length sets the leverage: Harken says an 8 in grinds faster but gives 20% less power than a 10 in.
Check before you buy:
- The real length is what you expect, since lengths are nominal. Barton's 8 inch handle measures 225 mm.
- Locking or plain suits you. Lewmar weighs the security of a lock-in against the flexibility of a traditional handle, and Harken says racers prefer plain.
- It floats, if that matters to you. Lewmar says its composite Titan handles float if dropped overboard.
Photo: Egor Myznik on Unsplash