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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Moving the winch from the mast

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/24/2010 : 06:20:34

I have 1978 vintage Lewmar 6 winches on the mast and cabin top. I'd like to move the winch from the mast to the coaming.

How do I get the winch off its teak base that is attached to the mast? If I pry out the circlip will the whole thing fall apart?

JohnP
1978 C25 SR/FK "Gypsy"
Mill Creek off the Magothy River, Chesapeake Bay
Port Captain, northern Chesapeake Bay

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2010 : 06:29:47

If you pry out the clip, parts may fall out. To minimize the effect, secure something below the winch to catch what drops. Some kind of box deep enough to prevent the parts from bouncing out and large enough to be certain to catch everything. I'd also purchase a rebuild kit since you're going to have them apart anyway you might as well do preventive maintenance. Once you have the clip out, you should have access to the mounting screws after you slide off the outer cover of the winch.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2010 : 08:34:14

A Lewmar 6 is appropriate for a halyard but too small for headsail sheets. Leave it or toss it but buy a new winch for your application. 16 single speed non-self-tailing is what I would be looking for if you wand new headsail winches.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2010 : 09:00:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 . . . A Lewmar 6 is appropriate for a halyard but too small for headsail sheets . . . <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I was thinking the same thing - are you moving this to the cabin top or the coaming?

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2010 : 09:44:05

I don't intend to use the little Lewmar 6 with the jib sheet.

The reason I'd like to move my 2 little winches is that I don't need to use the cabin top winch to hoist the main. It runs up easily. I have never used the winch on the mast for anything.

It would be nice to move the winches on the mast and on the cabin top to the coaming (port and stbd) for the preventers on port or stbd, and to have another winch available for the gennaker tack line that is rigged on the stbd side.

Edited by - JohnP on 08/24/2010 10:41:29

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2010 : 10:39:53

Thanks all.

I remember hearing about the idea of putting a box around a winch before disassembling it. That sounds really important.

Here are [url="http://www.pyacht.com/Lewmar-Winch-Service-Manual.pdf"]Lewmar's instructions [/url] in general for the 6, 7, and 8 single-speed winches (p.30):
1. Carefully pry off circlip.
2. Remove top plate and lift off drum.
3. Remove and clean the drum bearings.
4. Remove the spindle by easing out the retaining
key, clean, regrease and refit.
5. Remove, clean and inspect the four pawls located
in the drum, replace as necessary and lubricate
with light oil.
6. Lightly grease the two rachet tracks and the
bearing surfaces. Reassemble winch in reverse
sequence.

After step #2, with the drum removed, can I tape a plastic baggie around it to keep it all together while I unscrew the base? Or does it have to come apart before gaining access to the base screws?

I would prefer to NOT remove all the parts sequentially while standing at the mast.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2010 : 10:58:46

I just left the winch on my mast when I ran everything back to the cockpit. I find that I don't ever need a winch to lift sails on a 25' boat.
Besides, the winch makes a great place for the local hornets to build a nest...

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2010 : 14:29:47

After step #2 you will be able to unscrew it from the mast. Don't be afraid. When I did mine in the spring I found this to be very easy. Nothing went flying. About the only thing that would fly out would be the paws if one had a broken spring. all the bearings are in two cages and will remain on the spindle or in the drum. No little balls running all over the deck. Just pull the drum off slowly and hold a pail or wrap the whole winch in a towel as you pull the drum off. By this point you are going to laugh at your self and end up cleaning the whole winch.

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djdurrett
Navigator

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124 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2010 : 17:31:04

the only things that could fall out are easily replaced (paws and springs (there are 2 on the top and two on the bottom)). Take it off... it is really easy. I had a 7 on my mast when I bought it. Those winches are very simple.

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2010 : 13:06:42

Thanks for the helpful discussion.

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superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2010 : 11:57:44

Does anyone know of an source that sells winches at a fairly decent discount?

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2010 : 14:51:54

Pick the winch you want and then shop for a price, make sure you spend your money getting what you really want; it's a sailboat, she deserves it.

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