Cape Dory 25' Winch Handle Help!

[damvolpe]

I bought my CD25 a month ago and love it, but it came minus a winch handle. I can't find any info on who makes the winches and they are on there so tight or corroded that I can't get them apart without stripping them. This old thread from '98 had some info on it but no particulars.

http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic ... nch+handle

Can anyone help me out with some information? The winches seem to be made from fiberglass or a composite of some sort. They have a flat narrow groove and a round bolt in the middle. I've tried a number of old winch handles with this design but the dimensions are all wrong. I even had a welder friend customize a winch for me but we made the forks too long and it got crazily bent on our first sail in high winds.

[Jdpmus]

I had the same original composite winches for my halyard and for secondary sheeting. The PO had installed aluminum Eckes on the bronze pedestals for the jib/genoa sheets. I had one slightly damaged handle that fit the original winches that I sent to someone on this forum who wanted a replacement for his original winch, which were much like you describe.

I decided to replace them with Forespar marlon winches rather than try to rehabilitate the old ones. They cost less than $80 and use the same standard winch handle as the Eckes.

I think you would be better off replacing them with something more modern if you can get them off without damaging the pedestal.

Just my 2c; YMMV.

[damvolpe]

Thanks for you 2c! I've been thinking about replacing them. But they're really on there. If I can't find or manufacture a decent handle I'll have to. You don't happen to know the make of those winches do you?

[Jdpmus]

From what I understand, I think they were the stock winches on the CD25s'. There may be a reference somewhere on this site to the manufacturer. In looking at their construction, I would say they were made out of some type of composite material and were probably chosen because they were much cheaper than standard ones.

Mine were fairly easy to remove from the underside, where I had some limited access. I saw a post on this site at the time that someone was looking for the old winches, so I sent him the one I had that was in better shape and also the handle.

If you can get them off without damaging the mounting holes, I think any standard winch of similar size would fit. I did remove my Eckes last year and brought them home for cleaning and re-lubricating. There's nothing nicer than having a smoothly operating winch on your boat.

[damvolpe]

I found this picture on an old board with the type of winch handle I need. Anybody have a clue about the manufacturer?

thewinchwewant.jpg

[Jdpmus]

Those were mine. I shot the photo on my bar counter before I shipped them to their new owner.

[damvolpe]

Yes. I thought I'd post the photo here to see if anyone else had any info or an old winch handle they no longer use. Thanks.