Uptight Winches

[Mark E. Kelly]

Have 2 single-speed winches used for jib sheets.<br />They were frozen in position when I got the boat.<br />I managed to get one off (gentle prying over 3 days) got it all cleaned out, greased the shaft, oiled the pawls and teeth, and put it back on.<br />It turned easily, clicking nicely, and worked fine until the next day, when it was so stiff that I could only turn it with the handle.<br />Any ideas? A large hammer comes to mind...

 

[flashback]

Re: Uptight Winches

What brand of winches do you have? I have never heard of that happening before.. usually when you take them apart and clean and grease them, they should be good for a long time. maybe you didn't get something back together right... I would tear it down and check the pawl springs to be sure they are in right........good luck........

 

[Mark E. Kelly]

Re: Uptight Winches

The wimches and the handle have "England" stamped on them. I am going to try disassembling it and cleaning it again, then trying a different grease. I haven't removed the second one, yet, as I prefer to demolish them one at a time.<br />Just out of interest, I have found that it seems to work fine at night when it's cool but freeze up again in the daytime. I live in South Florida, so freezing up in the heat is NOT an option!<br />Wish me luck!

 

[flashback]

Re: Uptight Winches

I believe they are Lewmar winches and I have heard of this before... you may need to sand the shaft with some fine sandpaper in order to create more tolerance with the drum. the drum is probably made of andodized aluminum and the shaft is stainless. unfortunatly the winches are a some what inexpensive model and most likely do not have any bearings.....best bet may be to find some good used harken 2 speed winches, How big a boat?

 

[Mark E. Kelly]

Re: Uptight Winches

Boat is a Columbia 23. The winches are aluminum with a brass shaft. I probably won't get around to taking it apart again for a couple of days - I'm a school teacher and I go back tomorrow! Thanks for the advice, I'll try it.

 

[flashback]

Re: Uptight Winches

A single speed winch is adequate for a 23 footer, but I'm a firm believer in haveing more winch than I need. because I might need it......Try sanding down the brass spindle with some wet/dry sand paper or croucus cloth, about 400 to 600 grit. the brass will cut down quickly so check it often. I don't think it will take very much sanding to get it to work........good luck.......

 

[flashback]

Re: Uptight Winches

By the way, those old columbia's are wonderful boats, if you have the spare change please upgrade to a better winch....... the boat will love you for it and so will you.............

 

[Mark E. Kelly]

Re: Uptight Winches

Solution to the uptight winches:<br />Since the one winch I got off would not work as it got hotter, I put an entire bag of ice on the other winch, then let it sit until the bag was halfway melted. I then tried prying it off again and it almost FLEW off of the boat! I guess the brass center part(I don't know what you call it) shrinks and expands due to temperature more than the aluminum spool.<br />I am now taking everyone's advice and sanding both of them down so they won't stick again.<br />Thanks for the support!

 

[Columbia]

Re: Uptight Winches

Hey, I enjoyed this thread. In my 35 years of sailing I'd not experienced this particular problem. Thanks for the education!!

 

[Oldsaltydog]

Re: Uptight Winches

For a moment you scared me, thinking that you were asking about "uptight wenches," hitting close to home. (Smirking is permitted in this case.) Not surprisingly, temperature proved to be the problem. Thanks for taking us through an intersting issue.

 

[jayprice7]

Re: Uptight Winches

arrrrrrrrr, ye be having troubles with uptight wenches eh? Well sounds to me like they be needin' a good keel hauling.