Contemplating servicing your winches? Downloaded that parts diagram and horrified at how many small pieces there are . . . that you don’t want to lose?
Here’s a great tip from Tami Klassen. For winches on deck, cut a hole the size of the winch base in a box and then put the box around the winch before dissembling it. Any parts that slip out of your hands will still be in the box and you’ll have a convenient place to set things down without worrying about them going overboard.
For winches on the mast, tape a good sized box under the winch with the open side up.
Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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Sarah Finlayson says
Stuart Finlayson brilliant!
Ted Reshetiloff says
Other tip is never disassemble more than one at time and use grease extremely sparingly. Most folks I see over grease the winch thinking it’s the way to go. Only leads to slow turning and a penchant to attract dirt.
SV Matilda says
Love this idea. I really hate it when parts roll off the boat into the deep.
Mark Sierakowski says
Great idea, thanks.
Sally Larson says
Brilliant!!
tami says
In re: grease:
PAWLS should be greased with a very LIGHT oil: sewing machine oil, 3-In-1, we use Ardent Reel Butter (fishing reel oil)
The rest of the bits use a heavier grease. Super Lube, so far, is our favorite. We used to use Phil Wood “Phil” bicycle grease, which is also good. Our preference is for waterproof synthetic greases
Ernie says
If I recall correctly, this is a technique Arthur Knapp said he invented during the Ranger America’s Cup campaign. I remembered it a few years ago servicing my four Lewmars, but I thought they were so simple it wasn’t worth the bother. I almost lost a raceway overboard with that thinking. Pawl springs, however, seem able to pass through any solid object and be lost in the blink of an eye, only to reappear someplace impossible.
Another feature of the box is that it helps to contain the grease, which seems to carry handprint impressions everywhere.
As has been mentioned, only do one winch at a time, because you cannot assume that even seemingly identical winches have interchangeable parts. It’s very tiresome, especially when you are taking parts home to soak.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Years ago, I had a book of corrollaries to Murphy’s Law. One that I particularly remember was “interchangeable parts won’t” — very, very true for boats.
Clay Pot says
Never grease the paws!
Deborah Mackenzie says
my biggest worry was forgetting how to put it all back together! so I downloaded a you tube video with the detailed service and re assembly – great help!
Bill56 says
sometimes if there is a helper when taking anything apart. get things ready to take a part then video it. Also you can put numbers in the box as the parts come out and place the parts as they come off in numerical order then reverse the order to put back together.
The Sea and Sailors says
Yes, good idea!
Anne Marley says
We always watch a you tube video first then take photos of every step as we dismantle the winch so that we know how to fit all the pieces back together again when re-assembling.
Barbara Lowell says
thanx … actually a great idea to adapt for ANY disassembly … so easy to lose little screws … i recently took apart my laptop to clean the fan and I used an egg carton for the screws … that worked gr8 … thanx to youtube for that one … as always you do such a wonderful job to help make life easier, even for me a landlubber in a tiny house that I try to keep shipshape!
Jock Main says
If you want something a little more durable…. use painters drop sheets, hole cut in the middle of a couple and complete ones for mast winches. A couple cloths pegs onto the life lines or ropes and away you go.
Gives you somewhere to place things (drum, gear packs, etc) as you strip the winch down, traps pawl springs when they attempt a runaway, reusable, cleanable, etc.
Trish Draze says
I’m all about taking detailed pictures before i take something apart, during and as i take each piece if need be.