Association Forum - thoughts on servicing deck winches (not wenches)

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

thoughts on servicing deck winches (not wenches)

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/21/2004 : 19:56:39

Hi folks,
Today I tackled a job I have been putting off since I bought my boat a year ago.
I serviced the two Lewmar self tailing jibsheet winches. They had that metal on metal feel to them.
I recently read a column which said that you should regularly service your winches as they are one of the most expensive components on your boat. I guesse other than sails or a motor a self tailing winch at 600 bucks would be one of them.
I recommend buying the Lewmar service kit as you get a tube of grease, some pawl oil, a booklet, and best of all, extra pawl springs. You wouldn't believe how those suckers take off.
The booklet only covers the current model winches. The self tailer on my 89 model has been redesigned. Apparently I need the service booklet #6. I'll contact Lewmar for that.
The Lewmar website has the current booklet online.
Since the winches and booklet was made in Great Britian, they say to soak the parts in parrafin (isn't that wax) I used mineral spi.
These winches really needed servicing as the internal bronze parts had that green patina which gets on bronze, then it mixed into the hardened and dried grease to make a hard crud. I used a Scotchbrite pad soaked in mineral spi to get this off. In retrospect, a brass bristled brush would have been better.
I also used two toothbrushes, one for cleaning, and the other to work grease into the teeth, and bearings. Lewmar grease tastes better than Crest toothpaste anyways.
Getting the first one back together was a pain. I discovered that there is an indent in the tailer rings, or whatever they are called, which has to be lined up, you also have to raise the internal spindle a little to get the clips back in.
The second winch went a lot faster.
I still have to do the two cabin top winches.
Now they spin without friction. I'm glad I did this.

Frank Gloss
Formerly 89WK/TR
85 Ericson 32-3 shoal draft "Molto Bene"

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2004 : 20:34:04

Frank - "paraffin" is English for "kerosene"!
For cleaning winches I've found that carburetor cleaner works really well.
Derek

Edited by - on

matsche
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2004 : 21:55:16

Thanks for the post Frank. That's a job that I've been putting off as well. I've always been afraid that I wouldn't be able to get the thing put back together correctly. You've given me inspiration to give it a go!

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2004 : 06:17:20

Go for it John, You will be surprised to find the crud that you will inside your winch. Call Lewmar and see if you can get the older booklet. You get a greater degree of confidence if you see the exploded diagram.
I'm calling them today, and hopefully I'll have success.

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1009 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2004 : 06:44:37

I did the ones on my 88. The Main winches had a few moving parts in them but it was no too difficult to figure it out. The halyard winches are mosly plastic with one bearing inside. I used wd 40 to break up the crud and it worked pretty well. I am about to do it again. Glad to see peple taking care of the wenches.

Edited by - on

cshaw
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2004 : 17:46:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Gloss
 
I recommend buying the Lewmar service kit as you get a tube of grease, some pawl oil, a booklet, and best of all, extra pawl springs. You wouldn't believe how those suckers take off.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Good observation on pawl springs! After losing a couple of them I now bring a cardboard box to the boat, and cut one side out, so I have 3 sides and the bottom. I end up inverting the box over the winch when pulling the drum off or putting it back on. Its saved several springs when they go zipping off!!! Looks kinda dumb also, but I am used to looking dumb!

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2004 : 18:24:54

I did mine at the start of the off season. Actually that was the only job on my extensive list I got to. It is amazing what karate, T-Ball, coach pich, and soccer, as well as just family life will do to that all important boat time. The lake is about 4 feet shy of full counting down to splash time.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2004 : 18:40:35

Servicing the winches was on the top of my list after my Keys trip.
Then I have to finish installing the Tillerpilot, rebed the chainplates, complete the topping lift

And I also have to find a new wench. Hardest job of them all.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

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.