Sheet winch upgrade

[Jim Walsh]

My original bronze Lewmar #30 two-speed sheet winches served well for 30 years but I decided to upgrade to a new set of bronze Lewmar #30 two-speed self-tailers.
Today was in the low 40's and sunny but it felt much warmer under the winter cover. The breeze was off the 33F water so I kept the door closed!
Removing the old winches was simple and straightforward, no problem whatsoever. The original winches were attached to the winch bases with stainless machine screws and there was no evidence of any bedding compound. Even though the current installation instructions call for the use of bedding compound I chose not to. Of course, the hole pattern was not the same so new mounting holes had to be marked, punched, and drilled. I clocked the base slightly since the old and new hole pattern overlapped in a couple places, being careful to keep the load perpendicular to the output gear. The punch marks help the drill from drifting initially, and a new drill doesn't hurt either. After drilling the 1/4" holes the fun part was fastening the winch base with the stainless 1/4X20 machine screws, washers, and nylock nuts. Don't forget the carpenters advice, measure twice and cut once. I measured, marked, and dry fitted at least twice before I drilled the new mounting holes. I torqued the nuts to about 20 foot pounds. Reassembling the winch was a thrill and admiring the finished product was even better. ORION is ready for her next 30 years!

[David Morton]

Nice job, Jim. I had done the same with my 25D, last season. Mostly a simple and painless procedure. I also got the bronze body. Very spiffy! I found out quickly how useful freeing up a hand can be when winching in those sheets. Wonder how I ever got along without self-tailing for all those years! Next to my auto helm, it's the best mod I made to simplify my single-handed sailing. Now all you need is a wet hull and a little breeze... any day now,eh?

David

[Bob Lascelles]

The new bronze self trailers look great! I've been considering the same project for my 25d. My question is to go with Lewmar 16STs or 2 speed 30ST? Would a 2 speed winch be worth the extra expense on a 25d or would it be overkill?

Thanks

[Bob Lascelles]

Whoops....tailers not trailers, darn auto correct

[Jim Walsh]

The new bronze self trailers look great! I've been considering the same project for my 25d. My question is to go with Lewmar 16STs or 2 speed 30ST? Would a 2 speed winch be worth the extra expense on a 25d or would it be overkill?

Thanks

I'm betting most would say the 30's would be overkill, but to be brutally honest as we age the assistance provided by the next size up might just be a sound decision. I considered the 40ST's but couldn't think of a single time the 30's weren't up to the task. I have a cutter rig so my sail area is already divided up. If I had a sloop the 40's would have been a no-brainier.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Jim, Bob, David and all:

I installed two (2) new bronze Lewmar 16 ST winches on S/V Bali Ha'i in 2013. I documented the steps I took at:

http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic ... oa+winches

I did not then, and still do not now, know how to post photos.

Sorry.

The Lewmar 16s ST are nice. Bob, I am not sure you need to get bigger ones but then............

Jim, in your photos, it looks like you drilled the new holes very close to the old ones. I went the other way and spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to drill the "new" holes for the new winch so that they were as far away from the "old" holes as possible. My reasoning was that two (2) holes drilled close together (one old, one new) would weaken the winch stand base at that location. That's probably just my lack of knowledge about bronze but ...........

Jim, those are some beautiful bronze winches and some beautiful teak.

[Jim Walsh]

There are a couple black dots visible which are early positioning attempts. I actually used one of the existing holes and drilled four new ones leaving some "meat" between old and new. Of primary concern was ensuring the output gear was perpendicular to the load. All five fastening would have to shear through the bronze base so I'm confident they are staying put.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Of primary concern was ensuring the output gear was perpendicular to the load

Jim: Can you explain this statement a little more and bring it down to a level I can understand. The winch bases on S/V Bali Ha'i are close to "straight up" and the deck to which they are attached is pretty level. I am hoping I did not do something wrong in installing my winches.

[Jim Walsh]

The load from your sheet should lead to the output gear of your winch. The output gear is the largest gear seen in the second photo of my original posting. Here's a photo and a diagram that might be helpful. The output gear is the large gear seen on the right side of this photograph.

[Jim Walsh]

I just thought of what might be a little confusing. My sheets are led aft to turning blockes at the stern then forward to the winches. Here's a picture which shows my starboard turning block, it's right near the starboard aft cleat. This photo doesn't show the sheet since I took it off while in the middle of varnishing.

[Bob Lascelles]

Hi Jim, Robert & David

Jim and Robert, thanks for the good first hand advice. I think I'm going to go with the 16ST and try to keep in good shape! I can't wait to have an extra hand free. The 2 speed winch is pretty tempting, but the difference in price with the 16ST is a pretty good incentive. I've been looking around on the net and so far it looks like Mauri Pro is the best price I've found. Here in Maine it looks like it's still going to be awhile before I can get to the boat, so I won't be doing any winch mounting for several weeks. I hadn't thought about the timing of the winch output gear to the load, but it's a great point to pay attention to. I'm thinking if the output gear is perpendicular to the sheet load it reduces wear on the bearings because the gear shares the side load? Jim, Orion looks in beautiful condition!

Fair winds

[Sea Hunt Video]

Bob:

I got mine from Defender at a very good price. I ordered them during Strictly Sail Miami and got the "boat show" price even though they shipped from Defender's warehouse.

You may want to check with Defender. Plus, if there are any boat shows nearby, see if Defender or similar are exhibiting. They offer good deals at boat shows. Surprisingly, this year, for the first year in at least 7 years, Defender did not have a booth/exhibit at Strictly Sail. Very disappointing. Not sure why.

Good luck

[Jim Walsh]

http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=33128

Just in case you missed it I posted a heads-up about the annual Defenders sale. I have no connection but I wish I did

[Bob Lascelles]

Thanks for the suggestions about Defender, I've bought from them mail order and was always satisfied, but I've never visited the store. I forgot their annual sale is coming up. It looks like they are about 2 1/2 hrs from southern Maine, but they're pretty close to Mystic Seaport and I'm pretty sure my bride would look very kindly on a visit to the Seaport and to Mystic!

Fair winds

[Jim Walsh]

Mystic Seaport has the Mayflower hauled out at their shipyard for extensive repairs so she is on display also. They are on their winter schedule so check their website to be certain they are open when you plan to be in the area.