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 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 Winch Question		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/29/2003 :  20:55:06  Show Profile  Visit frich's Homepage

Finally splash down!! However over the winter i changed my swing keel cable, and was unable to test lowering the wich since i was on chocks. In my haste to get her in I forgot to test her when she was hoisted. At my slip i tried raising the keel and it seemed to work fine. But when i go to lower it it turns maybe a 1/4 turn and then it is as if the clutch is not grabbing. I can turn the handle freely but the winch drum does not turn.

Could this be that the keel is hitting bottom and there is no longer weight on the cable? I would think that i would see slack in the cable but i see nothing. Any help is appreciated.

By the way good/ safe sailing to all on this site who have aided me in the 2 years I am here.

Frank Rich
84 C25 SK
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RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts
Response Posted - 05/29/2003 :  21:20:01  Show Profile
Ah, just replace the winch. Replacing mine was one of the couple best things I've done. It's cheap, and then you'll know.
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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts
Response Posted - 05/30/2003 :  10:17:55  Show Profile
If you don't get new winch cable spooled on tightly and evenly enough, the outer wrap can dive under the others and get bound up when it is loaded. If trapped badly enough, it won't spool off.

Don't know if that's the case in your current dilemma, but it might be worth a look. If this has happened, you'll need to find a way to 'unload' the keel to release tension on the cable, perhaps by passing a strap under the boat from winch to winch. Then you can get the cable worked free.

Be extremely careful, the keel has a tremendous amount of stored energy in the up position. You could lose a finger or do serious damage if it got away from you. Might be best to get the boat back on the trailer to work on it.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25
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Loren H.
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts
Response Posted - 05/30/2003 :  15:05:08  Show Profile
Frank,

Sounds like you've either bound the cable on the winch as "Clam" mentioned, your clutch is slipping, or probably a combination of the two. Doesn't sound like you've dropped your keel fully with only a 1/4 turn.(usually takes 27-28 turns)

You're right, You can tell if the keel is fully extended by testing the tension of the cable. With most swing keels, you can release extra cable after the keel has hit it's stopping point and the cable will be slack (and will not hum when under way).

If is is jammed/bound you may need to work it loose, hard to do in the water when you can't jack up the keel manually to give yourself some slack.

I second Roof's recommendation to replace your winch. I too replaced mine during the last offseason and couldn't be happier. I now always know where my keel is and have more confidence. Be warned though, the bolt holes in the mounting plate didn't line up with the existing holes and I had to drill new ones (in the winch). I also had to buy a new handle as the old style would not work with the new winch.

Good Luck!

Loren

"Epiphany" '78 SK SR #352
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triley
Captain

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USA
251 Posts
Response Posted - 05/30/2003 :  22:49:46  Show Profile
Is it wrapped the wrong way?

Tom
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Loren H.
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts
Response Posted - 05/31/2003 :  02:08:20  Show Profile
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>"Is it wrapped the wrong way?

Tom"

-Tom could be on to something. The winch should click when raising the keel and be silent on lowering.

What do you think Frank?

Loren

"Epiphany" '78 SK SR #352
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frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts
Response Posted - 05/31/2003 :  09:47:17  Show Profile  Visit frich's Homepage
Tom

The winch does click when raising the keel, I will check today to see that the cable is not bound. The winch was working fine prior to the cable replacement.

Thanks
Frank
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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts
Response Posted - 05/31/2003 :  11:29:50  Show Profile
Loading the winch is one of those things were you really need two people... one pulling on the winch cable as hard as they can while the other cranks and spools the cable on.

Alternative is to rig something up to hold tension... must ponder this as I need to spool new cable myself.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25
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frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts
Response Posted - 06/01/2003 :  19:04:25  Show Profile  Visit frich's Homepage
Guys

Thanks for the help, i should have looked a little more carefully and not panic. It was the wire cable clamp nut hanging up on the winch housing causing it to disengage the clutch.

Now all I need is te weather here in NY to get better, Can anyone help with that<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Frank
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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.