Help with Typhoon Winch

[Jamie Harrell]

I posted something a few months back about fixing/replacing the port winch on our 74 Typhoon. A lot of the reponses came back about how you don't need a winch on a Typhoon and stuff like that. Regardless of views about necessity, we're wanting to try and fix or replace this so we have two working winches.

Winthrop had some suggestions about removing them. Unfortunately, we must have different winches. We have Gibb winches and can not seem to be able to dismantle this thing. We tried unscrewing the screw in the center of the top of the winch... nothing. There are three bolts underneath the winch on the bottom of the winch stand. However, if you try to loosen the nuts you just start turning the bolt. You can't get to the top with a screwdriver because of the actual winch.

It would seem you're supposed to be able to remove if from above, but something is not working. Any ideas? Anyone have an old manual for Gibb winches. I've see from prior postings that parts for these old winches are hard to come by. If repair is not the answer,any suggestions on replacements? Size? Price?

Thanks for any suggestions
Jamie Harrell
"Osprey" 74 Typhoon Weekender

[winthrop fisher]

Hi Jamie.

on the top of all wrinches there is a retaining ring in the middle of it, you have to push that off first (side ways).
it will be hard, using a screw driver and push the ends apart slow
and keeping one finger on the other side so it does not go shooting across in to the water.
if you have that off,
just lift the whole out side of the drum up off.
this way you don't have to take it off the boat.
and you can lube the whole thing first and make sure it works fine.
then put it back together, thats that.

if not,
to replace the whole thing and remove it.
first you have three bolts and three lock nuts,
its essayer with two people or someone with long arms.
reach under the deck with a wrench 1/2 and a phillips screw drive under the wrench on top (above the deck) and unscew it will be tight, real tight.
when i did it i had to buy a right angle screw drive (L shape)
this will work, and it will come off.

i have a 75 and mine are fine, i think you need to lube both of them.

in not, you can find them in the west marine cataloge.
hope this helps.
winthrop

I posted something a few months back about fixing/replacing the port winch on our 74 Typhoon. A lot of the reponses came back about how you don't need a winch on a Typhoon and stuff like that. Regardless of views about necessity, we're wanting to try and fix or replace this so we have two working winches.

Winthrop had some suggestions about removing them. Unfortunately, we must have different winches. We have Gibb winches and can not seem to be able to dismantle this thing. We tried unscrewing the screw in the center of the top of the winch... nothing. There are three bolts underneath the winch on the bottom of the winch stand. However, if you try to loosen the nuts you just start turning the bolt. You can't get to the top with a screwdriver because of the actual winch.

It would seem you're supposed to be able to remove if from above, but something is not working. Any ideas? Anyone have an old manual for Gibb winches. I've see from prior postings that parts for these old winches are hard to come by. If repair is not the answer,any suggestions on replacements? Size? Price?

Thanks for any suggestions
Jamie Harrell
"Osprey" 74 Typhoon Weekender

[Mollie and Josh]

We have the same winches on our 72 Typhoon. When we bought it, one of our winches was stuck too. We had to use an impact screw driver just to get screw our, but like you, the winch would not come up.
The design of the winch in beyond simple. There are no gears or bearings. The base with the 3 screws has a shaft in the center (with the screw hole, and two pawls in the base. The winch barrel simply fits over the shaft and the screw holds it in place. Once I got the winch off, i had to sand down the shaft and the inside of the winch. The bronze corrodes enough to bind it up.
As far and getting the winch off, try a strap type pipe wrench, and a spray lube like PB Blaster. It should come off with lots of effort.

And I agree, you don't need a winch, but they sure are nice to have.

One you get it fixed, try a winch cover.