I recently installed an electric winch on my Lightwave 38 "Arriba".

It was tricky because the winch location (at the helm) is directly above a window that opens inwards and attaches to ceiling of the saloon, thereby requiring an above-deck winch.

Anyway, I thought I'd share the photos in case anyone is planning something similar.

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My cat is now officially capable of being sailed single handed :-)

PS Kudos to Adelaide Sail Loft who did a beautiful job with the installation.

Yes, the new winch is for my main halyard and the 2nd reef line. My jib sheet already comes back to a point just behind the helm, so under main+jib everything is nearby.

(I find that I have little need for the 1st reef on my cat, since the sail has so much roach and it's hardly worth putting in only 1 reef.)

My topping line has just has a little bit too much slack in it. Once I raise the main sail, it raises the boom well above the height of the dodger.

Sure. Here are some photos from my February trip to Kangaroo Island:

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