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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

winch maintenance

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pfduffy
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/15/2011 : 07:06:06

I bought 2 lewmar #6 winches from ebay and when they arrived, it looked like someone used a liberal coating of maple syrup to lubricate the innards. Clearly not the correct product. What do others here use? I have some pblaster aerosol dry lube, but I'm not sure this would be the right thing? The winches will be mounted on the cabintop and may not be frequently used. I am considering leaving them dry since any type of lube could attract dirt.

Pat Duffy
1984 SK/SR #4113
Slàinte

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2011 : 07:20:27

I have a manual by Lewmar called "How to service your Lewmar winch".

It suggests using kerosene and a dry non-fluffy cloth (whatever that means) to clean the bearings and drum bore. It also suggests to lightly oil the pawls in the top and bottom of the drum and to lightly grease all parts including bearings.

Oops, I just read it again and it says to clean the parts with kerosene and to DRY them with a non-fluffy cloth.

Edited by - Davy J on 05/15/2011 07:24:45

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2011 : 07:57:44

[url="http://www.lewmar.com/assets/img/dataset/Manual-Winch%20Service%20Manual%20B2304%20iss6.pdf"]Lewmar Winch Service Manual[/url]

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2011 : 16:57:53

After a thorough cleaning, use white lithium grease to very lightly lube the winch.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2011 : 09:24:03

Buy a Lewmar winch maintenance kit, comes with pawls and springs and grease. Last forever, even if you service your winches regularly.

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2011 : 14:08:12

That maple syrup was undoubtedly a thick grease that was applied liberally. Unlike the collective response thus far, I approve. Why? Well I have 14 winches and my previous owner who circled twice did the same thing. The thick stuff doesn't run when it rains, etc. Protects against rust but does hold limited amounts of water and grit. That been said, after 4 years of no servicing they all looked great and I liberal applied the thick green stuff after a thorough cleaning and work perfectly. Sound like you had a savy salt PO to me.

Sten

Edited by - redviking on 05/16/2011 14:09:51

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2011 : 14:35:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">That maple syrup was undoubtedly a thick grease that was applied liberally. Unlike the collective response thus far, I approve.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I don't disagree with redviking. However, one thing that the service manual is clear about... Do not apply grease to the pawls. Grease on the pawls could cause them to stick...not a pretty picture.

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Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2011 : 16:23:06

You might want to take a look at this link.
http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/winches/winches1.htm

Just a thought. So that you don't lose any parts. Take a carboard box and cut a hole in the bottom and slip the box over the winch then tape it down to the boat.
Should a part try to escape it will end up in the box instead of the ground or worst the drink.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2011 : 05:57:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Davy J
 I don't disagree with redviking. However, one thing that the service manual is clear about... Do not apply grease to the pawls. Grease on the pawls could cause them to stick...not a pretty picture.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

A new to sailing fellow at my marina asked me what would cause his Lewmar winch to all of a sudden not ratchet as it free wheeled in both direction. I showed him how to remove the retaining clip and when he lifted off the drum, it was gooped up with what looked like dirty axle grease that prevented the pawls from moving and engaging the stem teeth. After cleaning out the axle grease mess, the winch worked like it was brand new. When rotating his other winch, the pawls didn't make a clicking sound, but rather a low, thud like noise. Same thing, all gooped up with axle grease.

I'd be more inclined to use a dry lubricant on the pawls than a heavy grease as grease can collect dirt and debris over time which may cause an issue when least expected.

Edited by - on

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2011 : 14:49:22

Kerosene or WD-40 works well for cleaning. Use a light coating of oil on the pawls, winch grease on the gears and bearings. You don't need high temp wheel bearing grease, use grease from a winch manufacturer, it's not expensive and you don't need much. Don't pack them with grease, pawls will stick and the grease attracts dirt. I clean and regrease mine in the spring, that's worked well for me for 30 years.

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2011 : 04:57:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Tradewind
 Kerosene or WD-40 works well for cleaning. Use a light coating of oil on the pawls, winch grease on the gears and bearings. You don't need high temp wheel bearing grease, use grease from a winch manufacturer, it's not expensive and you don't need much. Don't pack them with grease, pawls will stick and the grease attracts dirt. I clean and regrease mine in the spring, that's worked well for me for 30 years.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I agree, sorta... Does trap water and grit, but sticks well thereby negating the aforementioned negative aspects. Depends on the size of the winches too. My Barient 32's are big enough to sit on.

The pawls are sizeable. But with 14 winches, I am not servicing them every year, mostly because I don't even use half of them. When I went thru them all, I did apply a white spray grease on the springs and pawls, then when everything but the drum was together - after testing of course - I coated the outer bearings with the heavy green stuff. The boat is in Florida and in the high temps, you almost do need high temp grease or else it will run when the winches get hot. Trust me - they get hot.

And what exactly is in "winch grease?" Vegetable oil?

I like transmission fluid as a lubricant too. Works on bike chains and windlasses, windvanes and throttle linkage, pretty much wherever you want a light lubricant that will hang around longer than light oil.

A lot of people think WD40 is a lubricant - it is not.

But as with anything in the boating world, whatever works on my boat - probably won't for yours.

sten

Edited by - redviking on 05/18/2011 05:17:20

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2011 : 14:35:35

Sten, the winch grease I referred to is marketed with a Lewmar or Harken label on it, in a tube for winches. I use the WD-40 for cleaning, I agree, it's not a lubricant. I like the transmission fluid idea, never thought of that, I'll have to give it a try. With 32s I can see why you use the green stuff, I'm in FL also and the winches do get hot. Nothing like a hot wench!

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