What to do with old boat winches?

June 22, 2009 10:03 AM

Sailors, artists, and sailor-artists, help! I have three winches that I'd like to do something artistic with.

I recently put new self-tailing winches on my sailboat. I have the old black winches- a #10 and two #40s, similar to this- leftover. They don't have a practical nautical application anymore (can't sell them), but I feel like there should be something cool I can do with them around the house to give it a salty flair. They're pretty heavy, but they could conceivably be mounted on the wall. Thoughts?

posted by zap rowsdower to media & arts (4 comments total)

Mount on wall next to sink: Kitchen winch!
posted by hermitosis at 10:09 AM on June 22

Install a sheila maid and use one of the winches to hoist it up and down.

Then rig up a hammock made from sail canvas and use the other two to hoist up yourself.
posted by dowcrag at 11:29 AM on June 22

mounted on wood "L"s as bookends.

banister top and bottom ornaments.

doorstops.

centerpiece for lazy susan.
posted by mercredi at 1:49 PM on June 22

Great ideas, guys...thanks a lot. The lazy susan idea in particular is one I think I'll go after with the little one- housewarming gift for my recently-moved sailor parents!

(And I wish I could mount a hammock in my living room...)
posted by zap rowsdower at 2:33 PM on June 22