I think we have found solution to the effort needed to raise the keel on Tarakihi. We have bought an "Easy-Winch". This is, in effect, a winch handle that has a 4:1 reduction gearing built into it. It may take a bit longer to raise but the effort needed is much reduced and should stand us in good stead as arms get weaker with advancing years......! The easy-winch is not cheap but appears to be well engineered and is cheaper and less disruptive than fitting a bigger winch. Details are on www.easywinch.com  . It is made in the uk and the company have been very helpful - the guy who owns it is a leisure sailor like ourselves.

If anyone looks at the website and is put off by the need to have a retaining strap eye bolted to the deck, don't be. We used a rope tied to the s/s hand hold forward of the winch and this worked absolutely fine. Indeed, for the initial experiments we actually used the end of a jib sheet.

Chris Cobb

235/48 Tarakihi