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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Routine Winch Service

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Alan Therrien
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/23/2002 : 15:45:41

I've had the 250 WK for two seasons now, and I know I'm overdue to clean and service the Lewmar 16 ST self-tailing winches. Can someone please tell me where to find the screws to remove the drum, so I can lube the gears? Also, how long can I expect pawls and springs to last under ordinary cruising conditions? Any instructions, recommendations, advice regarding winch service is very much appreciated.

Alan Therrien
"Moonpenny"
250 WK #418

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John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2002 : 16:09:01

Check out this [url="http://www.pyacht.com/lewmar_winch_service.htm"] Lewmar winch servicing site. [/url]
Underlined words are a HOTlink.

[url="http://www.peregrinefund.org/"]<img src="http://www.peregrinefund.org/images/intro_mid_image.GIF" border=0>[/url]
 John G- "PEREGRINE" C25-#4762 FK

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Bristle
Admiral

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USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2002 : 17:28:41

One interesting hint I saw a few years back was to cut a hole the diameter of the winch in the bottom of a shoe box (or similar), and then slip the box over the winch before you start taking it apart. That way, when things start falling or flying around (springs have a way of doing that), the box contains them.

I have also heard that it's very important not to over-lube winches, and that only the manufacturer's recommended lube should be used. Lewmar's own brand is available in most marine shops.

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

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Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2002 : 02:10:22

Allen, Dave's warning about putting a box or whatever under/around the winch is not to be taken lightly. There is a very fine spring washer that holds the drum to the bearing shaft. If you loose that spring the only place to get a replacement is the manufacturer. My Lewmar primary winches have this spring. If you have an older boat, mine is a 1978, the originals were Barlows and they have an allen screw at the bottom of the wrench socket holding the drum. I have those on the cabin top now. As far as grease goes, I just used a good marine grade and as Dave points out, it doesn't take much. If you put too much grease on the 'clicker' won't click. The insides of these things are really quite simple.

Ed Montague on 'Yahoo'
1978 #765 SK, Stnd, Dinette ~_/)~

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2002 : 12:26:21

Alan - don't put ANY grease on the pawls ("clickers"). Clean them in solvent and replace.
Derek on "This Side Up"

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Alan Therrien
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2002 : 18:55:37

Many thanks to all for the helpful hints on winch cleaning and service. The box use sounds like a great idea. And the web site had some great pics to help me with the dismantling procedure.

Guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend :-)

Alan Therrien
"Moonpenny"
250WK #418

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Ken Cave
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2002 : 00:08:39

For about twenty years, and three boats later, I have yet to take apart a winch, and have never had a problem with them-when I use good old WD 40 every so often to clean out the dirt that seems to accumulate in them!

The dry lubricant seem to keep the winches running smooth, and the wet stuff (high grade kerosene (?) gets the innards clean as a whistle!

You might try it before attempting to lose parts over the side.

Ken Cave

Edited by - on

Ken Cave
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2002 : 23:15:59

John:

I use a lot of WD 40 for the job, and you should see the junk that comes out of the bottom of the winch! Once I see the clear stuff, I know that the winch is clean and well lubricated.

Hope this helps!

Ken Cave

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Ken Cave
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2002 : 01:15:32

John:

If you look at the lubricant of WD 40, you will see that the propellent is actually a high grade kerosene. (this is why one can use this stuff to actually power a diesel engine) The dry lubricant is left behind when the propellent dries up.

I may be wrong in using this stuff on my winches, but three boats and over twenty five years of service without taking one apart-I'll keep using this stuff!!

Ken Cave

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Bristle
Admiral

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USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2002 : 15:41:42

Ken: Sounds reasonable to me, but where do you spray the WD40 into the winch (without taking anything apart)?

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

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Ken Cave
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2002 : 23:26:31

Right on the top-where the screw is holding everything together. On some winches it takes a little time to penetrate, but it is worth a try before trying to take apart these beasts!

Ken Cave

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capfrank
1st Mate

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USA
31 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2002 : 12:54:03

Last winter, I serviced over 100 winches. 99% from boats over 32 feet. Hinckleys, Shannon, etc, etc. Winches from Lewmar, (the best), to cheap plastic ones, elec. winches, etc. The lubrication for the pawls, is white lithium in a spray can. All other contact areas is a mixture of grease and Marvel mystery oil, power mixed by drill and paddle mixer. The post by lewmar on periodicity, is for serious racers. Beginning of each season should be plenty for 99% of all C-25 owners. I have replaced the in expensive, (read cheap), with Lewmar 16 as Primaries. The "over greasing" mentioned in a previous post, pertains to the spring loaded pawls, and the corresponding teeth on the inside of the winch.

Fair winds and following seas, _/)
~~~~
Captain Frank P. Grande
Goddess of the Sea Cruises
Sailing Adventures in Maine
www.goddesscruise.com
capfrank@mint.net
207-877-7824

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2002 : 13:51:14

Hi Ken,

Happy Easter to y'all.. God it's great to respond to a kindred spirit. I've had Calista about ten years now and on one occasion four or five years ago one of the little winchie buggers got a little sluggish ...I sprayed a some 10 W 40 around the hesus clip atop the drum, the thing that holds it all together and a few turns and it's been free ever since. I once ran with a group from Villinova and Jumbo Elliot the track coach impressed me when, interupting a group of enthusiastic runners outdoing each other with the regimens of their exausting workouts, said ,and coined the phrase, I believe, "Keep It Simple Stupid". I'd much rather S A I L than S T A I N. If I thought staining would keep the boat afloat I'd stain.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT

Val Bisagni

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Alan Therrien
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 04/03/2002 : 20:50:36

Being a bit of a tinkerer, I checked our the Lewmar site, got myself a shoebox, and disassembled both winches. Cleaned them up good, re-lubed them, and put them back together with no extra parts left over. The best part of all - they both still turn<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Maybe next time I'll take the WD40 approach. Thanks to all for the good advice.

Alan Therrien
"Moonpenny"
250WK #418

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