Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your
contribution is not tax-deductible.)
PayPal Acct: 
Feedback: 
Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):
| [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4 ] |
| Subject: Hoop net puller | |
|
Author: Jim Day |
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 1040455901PST Well here's the new accessory. I got tired of hand pulling my hoop nets so I made up this winch from junk parts around the shop.      The current motor is a 1/3 horse AC. It's a little big, just what I had sitting around. If I keep it AC I may go to 1/6 but there's always the DC option. I'm not big on running a generator all the time, but since I already have one it beats buying a new battery set up at least for now. The switch is the bar that mounts to the gunnel below the rail. I made it, all the "real switch-bars I could find were too expensive. I wanted something I could operate hands free. It's momentary: all you do is lean against it and the winch runs goes pull away and it stops. It came out clean, about knee height and works great. There's also a shut off on the winch so I can turn the whole thing off to prevent accidental startups. I know what someone's going to say: the open belt looks dangerous. It's outside the rail and with the switch bar you can't run the puller unless your back from the winch. If I really like the thing I may make a guard. Also I'll eventually get a more weather proof motor set up, maybe just a cover that goes over both the belt and motor. Speed wise it's just a little faster then I can hand pull. I don't want it too fast as it might be hard to keep up with it. As is you can use both hands to work the rope and keep things running smooth. You start the winch first then make a wrap around the pulley and off it goes. It's not self tailing so you pull the underwrap off as it feeds up. Sounds more complicated then it is. When it's up you just pull your knee away and it stops in about three inches. Good enough for me ;-) With the net fully up the top ring is about six inches above water line. The davit end is open, so you can easily pull the rope out to check and deck bugs, but the inset is two inches at a forty degree angle so it won't jump out. The whole unit has a limited swing pivot of about 30 degrees. so it swings slightly to better pull if the trap is too far forward or back. Hand pulling is great in close but I want to try some deeper spots. I figure the winch is the way to go. We'll see ;-) This is just a prototype for my own amusement. It'll probably see some changes by the end of the season. I'm sure anybody with a little mechanical ability could make their own. Now if I could just get some good weather to give it a thorough testing ;-) As always comments welcome. Tight lines Jim [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |