Hunter 34 Winch Replacement

[Ilanortho]

Hi;
My Maxwell winches are nearing end of life; I have rebuilt - lubricated- then last summer and I saw warn teeth and bad lubrication.
Any suggestions on size?

I would like to go to self tailing two speeds on the cabin top ( are through-bolted) perhaps slightly larger.
Are the rear winches through-bolted - if so how do you get at them with out turning into a pretzel? If there is an embedded deck plate does it need to be re-drilled and tapped?

Thanks in advance. Ilan

 

[markwbird]

I am cheap so I found good used Lewmar 40 non self tailors for the cabin top. Very happy. I added two Lewmar 46 self tailors just forward of the existing jib sheet winches. This allows crew some elbo room when cranking in the jib sheets and I replaced the old maxwell 24s with Lewmar 43 non self tailors for spinnaker. So I have a total of six winches now. The Lewmar 46s are WAY better than the maxwells. I did have to cut an access port on the port side to get to the bolts underneath. And yes, you do need to be a contortionist to bolts on the starboard side.

 

[Ilanortho]

I am cheap so I found good used Lewmar 40 non self tailors for the cabin top. Very happy. I added two Lewmar 46 self tailors just forward of the existing jib sheet winches. This allows crew some elbo room when cranking in the jib sheets and I replaced the old maxwell 24s with Lewmar 43 non self tailors for spinnaker. So I have a total of six winches now. The Lewmar 46s are WAY better than the maxwells. I did have to cut an access port on the port side to get to the bolts underneath. And yes, you do need to be a contortionist to bolts on the starboard side.

Thanks. Was hoping there was an embedded plate for the rear winches!!
Ilan

 

[markwbird]

Access plate underneath in the aft birth on the port side. On starboard, you will need to train a small monkey to go into the starboard lazerette and into the "dungeon" to access the nuts underneath.

 

[kloudie1]

My PO had added Lewmar 43's forward of the original Maxwell 25's when he rigged for spinnaker.. I rarely use the old Maxwells and they stay covered.. still work fine.. There is a big, thick embedded plate under them but I don't think they are threaded into the plate, they are through bolted. I have not removed the winch bases.

 

[heart of gold]

I replaced all 4 winches with Harken. Self tailing 20's on the cabin top. and 46's for the primaries. The original maxwells were way undersized in my opinion. On my boat there was access in the aft berth port side through a deck plate for the primaries and as stated you have to go into the pit to access the port side. The self tailing cabin tops are a great improvement. Way easier for my admiral to make adjustments to the main, haul on halyards etc. The backing washers were not that big and when I installed the Harken primaries I bought the backing rings.

 

[Ilanortho]

Access plate underneath in the aft birth on the port side. On starboard, you will need to train a small monkey to go into the starboard lazerette and into the "dungeon" to access the nuts underneath.

 

[Ilanortho]

Away from boat but will check it out. Also like the idea of moving them fwd a bit