Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
Finally put our "new to us" 1980 C25 SK that we bought last fall in the water for the first time last weekend. A small issue we had was keeping the swing keel winch handle engaged to the adapter fitting when raising and lowering the winch. Has anyone made any modifications to the stock setup? Ours may very well be original and the tang on the adapter and groove on the handle worn, although visibly it appears to be in decent condition. I see that CD has these available, just wondering if anyone has come up with a better system.
We've had a swinger for 12 years, and replaced the winch and handle 3 years ago...don't know how old the prior unit was, but the connection of winch to shaft was fine, just the drum was getting a bit too corroded for my likes. It's a bit of a zen thing, you can't rush the connection and need to be deliberate when raising and lowering.
It is easy enough to replace the keyed socket on the winch if necessary.
Just a suggestion, Randy: check whether the adapter fitting on the winch input shaft is loose and rocking on the shaft. It's supposed to screw onto the shaft, and the set screws are just to keep it from unscrewing, but if the winch was replaced by a PO with a different model (if I recall correctly Fulton makes several models that operate the same way) and the shaft is too small, the fitting could be pivoting and rocking back and forth on the set screws. Also check that the socket on the handle is sliding all the way down onto the adapter fitting so that the tang is fully engaging the slot in the socket. Other than those two ideas, I'd suggest biting the bullet and replacing the handle/fitting combination. You can keep the socket for the next winch (the winch should be replaced periodically, even in fresh water). It's a good idea to have a spare handle anyway, because it's something you can't just run to the local hardware store to replace if it goes overboard (DON'T think it CAN'T happen).
The trouble with a destination - any destination, really - is that it interrupts The Journey.
Lee Panza SR/SK #2134 San Francisco Bay (Brisbane, CA)
Thanks for all your replies. The winch itself operates easy enough and seems to be in good shape. I think more than anything there is some wear in the winch handle groove edges and doesn't stay engaged very easily without pressure on it towards winch shaft when operating. Probably will go ahead and replace handle and adapter.
Erik - I can't say my experience is the same. Our turning ball, pin and cable are replaced every three years, and I follow the recommended lubrication of the winch (which is limited due to the friction brake),and the winch was replaced last year - yet it is a bear to lower and raise the keel.
Be sure the cable is coming off the turning ball in the correct direction. Can't remember which direction, but do remember it makes a difference. Maybe a previous owner put cable on backwards and you copied the mistake. Maybe someone who knows which direction is correct.
Lynn Buchanan 1988 C25 SR/WK #5777 Sailynn Nevada City, CA
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.