Winch Maintenance when Winchers are installed

[Bill]

Hello to All

I was thinking this AM about doing my winch maintenance this weekend, when I remembered that I had installed winchers last spring. I normally clean the inside of the winch drum by soaking it in a solvent. I would suspect that this process would not be too good for the winchers!!! Thoughts please?????

Fair Winds
Bill
S/V Rhapsody



cd25d@rhapsodysails.com

[Warren Kaplan]

Hello to All

I was thinking this AM about doing my winch maintenance this weekend, when I remembered that I had installed winchers last spring. I normally clean the inside of the winch drum by soaking it in a solvent. I would suspect that this process would not be too good for the winchers!!! Thoughts please?????

Fair Winds
Bill

I put in two new Lewmar ST16 self tailers a few years ago. Most of these winches come with a guide to maintenance. If not, the manufacturer usually has one available either on line or directly. They are usually pretty easy to take apart even when installed. If you sail in salt water you should disassemble and clean the parts and use a manufacturer's recommended lubricant. Once you get the hang of doing it (like everything else) its not a very long project. Just make sure you keep those loose parts inboard in the cockpit so you don't inadvertantly lose a piece overboard.

Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27

S/V Rhapsody

Setsail728@aol.com

[Bill]

Thanks for your reply Warran, but I think you mis-undertood my post. I am concerned about the rubber (or plastic) "BLUE WINCHERS" that I installed last spring. The things that make them into self-tailers.

Fair Winds

Bill

Hello to All

I was thinking this AM about doing my winch maintenance this weekend, when I remembered that I had installed winchers last spring. I normally clean the inside of the winch drum by soaking it in a solvent. I would suspect that this process would not be too good for the winchers!!! Thoughts please?????

Fair Winds
Bill

I put in two new Lewmar ST16 self tailers a few years ago. Most of these winches come with a guide to maintenance. If not, the manufacturer usually has one available either on line or directly. They are usually pretty easy to take apart even when installed. If you sail in salt water you should disassemble and clean the parts and use a manufacturer's recommended lubricant. Once you get the hang of doing it (like everything else) its not a very long project. Just make sure you keep those loose parts inboard in the cockpit so you don't inadvertantly lose a piece overboard.

Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27

S/V Rhapsody

cd25d@rhapsodysails.com

[Warren Kaplan]

Thanks for your reply Warran, but I think you mis-undertood my post. I am concerned about the rubber (or plastic) "BLUE WINCHERS" that I installed last spring. The things that make them into self-tailers.

Fair Winds

Bill

WHOOPS!! I sure did misread it. But this gives me the opportunity to ask you a question. Those lewmar 16 winches I mentioned, replaced the old Lewmar 7s. I bought a set of winchers to put on the Lewmars 7s but I can't get them on, even with heat, because the old winches are loose and move too much from all that leverage. Did you install the winchers with the winches on the boat? I may temporarily install them on some immovable object and then force the winchers on. Once done, I can install them where I want on my boat.

Warren

Setsail728@aol.com

[Bill]

Warren

I boiled the little buggers for some time (slept since then) and they went on while the winches were still on the boat. A friend put them (winchers) on his older Barlows or Barients (not too sure which) and had one hell of a time and almost lost the tip of his finger in the process. I got those puppies hot (too hot to hold, I wore gloves) and used a bit of dish soap (may actually make the process harder because they got slick) and popped them on. I was kinda expecting a battle but it wasnt bad. Just DONT get a finger caught under the wincher. If I remember correctly my friend did lose his finger nail.

I would think it would be very difficult to install the winchers if the winch had too much movement. Bolt them to a table/workbench or something then give it a go.

Hope this helps.

Bill



cd25d@rhapsodysails.com

[Catherine Monaghan]

Bill,

I have the Winchers installed on our Lewmars. When I take the winches apart for maintenance, I use an old toothbrush and mineral spirits to clean the inside of the drum. I soak everything else.


catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 <a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/bcomet/real ... ization</a>, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

Hello to All

I was thinking this AM about doing my winch maintenance this weekend, when I remembered that I had installed winchers last spring. I normally clean the inside of the winch drum by soaking it in a solvent. I would suspect that this process would not be too good for the winchers!!! Thoughts please?????

Fair Winds
Bill
S/V Rhapsody

catherine_monaghan@merck.com

[Bill]

Thanks Cathy

So I guess that you donot get the wincher in the mineral spirits??? Sounds logical, just wanted to make sure.

Thanks again

Bill



cd25d@rhapsodysails.com