What grease for winches

[sailingdog]

It isn't very difficult to do... however, I highly recommend taking a box and cutting a hole in the bottom of it, just big enough for the winch to fit through, and putting it over the winch before you start working on it. It will, hopefully, catch any parts that try to escape.

There is not much that you can not get shipped to you if you can not get locally.
I usually try the local guys first and if that does not work i get it shipped to me from the internet.
I have never taken apart a winch to grease but thinking maybe its a good idea to learn with my 2007 H-36,any suggestions on a good book,I do have the paper work from Lewmar but would like more.
nick
Nick

 

[Maine Sail]

I highly recommend taking a box and cutting a hole in the bottom of it, just big enough for the winch to fit through, and putting it over the winch before you start working on it. It will, hopefully, catch any parts that try to escape.

Like those pesky pawl springs. Those things are like grass hoppers..

 

[Cpt. Jon]

Cpt. Jon,

I have just finished re-reading this thread and don't see the "canned" google reference you speak of? I have seen it before but not here..?

Sorry, it didn't read clearly, I meant I thought for sure I would get that to the point that I knew it, but it wasn't what I got.

Please re-read the forum guidelines.... If you have problems with the "worthless searches on this forum" please send us a note or post a question and perhaps we can guide you and help you with more efficient searching of the SBO forums.

Not meant as a knock to SBO or the forum admins, just a statement of fact that many people complain about the search function and feel the need to appologize for asking a question that has likely been asked before becuase they will get bashed by someone rather than letting others that are interested in helping help, sorry to tick you off Maine Sail, you are clearly one of the most respected people (at least by me) on this website for the stuff you publish and share with the community

Stating that Stu does not contribute is in just poor taste as he has contributed LOTS of great information to this forum over the years.

Poor taste - your right, sorry for calling you out Stu, I broke my own rule... Your actual contributions are always appreciated and I didn't mention that part. I've also come across many helpful posts on other sailing forums and boards that were from Stu... I found those through Google

 

[RichH]

Since I assume that Lewmar and Harken, et al, make winches but do not manufacture winch grease, much the same way that Yanmar does not make Yanmar filters/belts, etc., who do you suppose does makes these products that they put their names on and charge a fortune for?

In my case, I bought a tub of common white lithium grease about 10 years ago for a few bucks. I use it for lubing just about everything on the boat that needs lubing, from seacocks, to furler bearings, to winches, and everything in between. The stuff has never let me down and that tub will last a number of years into the future. It's like a bottle of dry vermouth: you never use it up.

If you go to a common hardware store and buy a tub of common white lithium based grease ... the price is ~$12.00. If you go to any Marine store, online marine store, etc. the price is ~$12.00 ... and you will get high temp. white lithium based grease. Ditto on wheel bearing grease.

 

[kloudie1]

For me the thing is not so much saving dollars on winch grease, but using what I already have on hand.. I keep this stuff around for greasing a lot of stuff and I use it on winches.. A good lithium based grease will work on winches, no matter what brand name it has on the outside.. The large oil company that I worked for made lots of greases for many different manufacturers.. lithium base was for waterproof and rust resistance.. If you can get some with EP (extreme pressure) additives, that is good..
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=124739-39963-D10100101&lpage=none
If you are familiar with different greases, it is fine to substitute appropriately, but if not then the stuff the manufacturer recommends is going to be OK..

 

[Maine Sail]

No problems at all

Sorry, it didn't read clearly, I meant I thought for sure I would get that to the point that I knew it, but it wasn't what I got.

Now it makes sense..!

Not meant as a knock to SBO or the forum admins, just a statement of fact that many people complain about the search function and feel the need to appologize for asking a question that has likely been asked before becuase they will get bashed by someone rather than letting others that are interested in helping help,

We understand the search function can be tedious. Try clicking the drop down next to the "search" then click on "advanced options". Then type one single key word you are looking for or a couple to be more precise. If you know a key word and an author that is even better. You can even put the words in quotes "heat exchanger" to return only those two words when used together not heat and exchanger when use separately.

Please use the search function in the gray line that has "Your Control Panel" & "Post New Topic" at the beginning. The one in the top menu bar is...well... not so good IMHO..

sorry to tick you off Maine Sail

Please understand that you absolutely did not tick me off in any way, shape or form. It really takes a lot more than that. I am simply looking out for the tone of the forums. We strive to keep this the friendliest forum on the net. It can be tough but when we see anything that could even remotely begin a flame war we try to head it off before it gets out of hand. If I misunderstood parts of your post it is likely others would have too. I was simply trying to nip it and blow out any flames before a fire got going...

Poor taste - your right, sorry for calling you out Stu, I broke my own rule... Your actual contributions are always appreciated and I didn't mention that part. I've also come across many helpful posts on other sailing forums and boards that were from Stu... I found those through Google

Very upstanding response! Thanks!!

 

[bffatcat]

winch grease

I bought a can of black lithium grease for $2 about 10 years ago. It works fine on my 25 year old barlow 2 speed #23`s I dont use 3 in 1 oil. Im sure it will work fine but Ive
been using the black lithium grease on all parts, races, pawls ect 10 years no problems why change?

 

[Ross]

Re: winch grease

My concern about winch grease would be melting point. At this time of year the winches get too hot to hold. Probably close to 130 f.

 

[sailingdog]

bffatcat—

don't use grease on the pawls. They should be lubed with a light machine oil. Using grease on them can cause them to stick, which can become a serious hazard.

I bought a can of black lithium grease for $2 about 10 years ago. It works fine on my 25 year old barlow 2 speed #23`s I dont use 3 in 1 oil. Im sure it will work fine but Ive
been using the black lithium grease on all parts, races, pawls ect 10 years no problems why change?

 

[jibes138]

Serious HAzard

bffatcat—

don't use grease on the pawls. They should be lubed with a light machine oil. Using grease on them can cause them to stick, which can become a serious hazard.

SD makes a great point that all readers should consider. I sailed for years mostly as a self taught sailor. I always left my winch handles in the winches because I had locking handles so I wasn't too concerned about losing them. I went sailing with a well respected sailor with significant offshore experience a few years ago and I noticed he always put the handles away each time after use in the winch handle holders in the cockpit. I asked him why, and he said they become an extreme hazard if a pawl breaks and the winch spins freely under load. I hadn't given that any thought so other sailors out there, take your winch handles off after each use to avoid a serious hazard.

 

[sailingdog]

If the pawls stick the same thing happens... so not greasing the pawls is very important. They need to be lubed with a light oil...

SD makes a great point that all readers should consider. I sailed for years mostly as a self taught sailor. I always left my winch handles in the winches because I had locking handles so I wasn't too concerned about losing them. I went sailing with a well respected sailor with significant offshore experience a few years ago and I noticed he always put the handles away each time after use in the winch handle holders in the cockpit. I asked him why, and he said they become an extreme hazard if a pawl breaks and the winch spins freely under load. I hadn't given that any thought so other sailors out there, take your winch handles off after each use to avoid a serious hazard.

 

[Cpt. Jon]

Bummer, one of my pawl springs is broken on the 2nd winch. The first winch went great and seems to work flawlessly now. The pawls were definately sticking, but everything seemed to clean up well. I started the 2nd one and was getting eaten up by mossies so bad that I had to quit mid job. I'll have to wait till after the sun goes down completely and those skeeters are gone before I go back to it, those mosquitos seem worse this year than I can remember, so much rain this year I guess. I was a little unsure how much grease to be putting on the parts, but it seemed about right.

I had asked the PO the last time he did any winch maintenance, he was the original owner of the 1980 boat, and he gave me a blank stare... I'm not sure they ever got maintance, but it was at least 15 years ago I think, and that's conservative. Corrosion didn't seem to be an issue just crusted on old grease that was a pain to clean off.

 

[Ross]

I lost a spring from one of my winches and wound a new one from ss leader wire. it has worked perfectly for ten years..

 

[sailingdog]

Like those pesky pawl springs. Those things are like grass hoppers..

And they sink really fast... and are made of unobtanium.

 

[Cpt. Jon]

well, the one that was broken was temporarily salvageable. All 3 winches are complete, so I thank everyone that provided input. I used a box over the first two when taking them apart. I was very careful not to let any springs or retaining clips go flying . I actually thought it was going to be a much more difficult job and other than cleaning the 15 to 30 year old grease off the parts it wasn't bad at all.

as Sailingdog and Jibes were saying, winches that aren't properly working are dangerous. since basically none of ours were working right, my wife and I were sailing in about 20 kts of wind one day and when she was sheeting the jib sheet in a littlebit her hand slipped or something and the winch handle flew around and cranked her one good in the elbow. I was pretty lucky and could have ruined the best sail we ever had. Luckily we both knew the winches had issues and she was quick, just caught off guard. She seemed pretty happy that I got this done and we are looking forward to testing them out on Sunday.

On all the winches, the problems were the pawls that were sticking. It was really tough to get some out. The single speed winch for the halyards was a bit more challenging than the 2 speeds I must say... it was in worse condition overall and putting that one back together was tricky.

Again, thanks for those with the good suggestions!

 

[Ross]

periodically spin your winches. They should tick like a spring wound watch. The ticking is the pawls clicking into place. The easiest test on a boat.

 

[Cpt. Jon]

periodically spin your winches. They should tick like a spring wound watch. The ticking is the pawls clicking into place. The easiest test on a boat.

hehe, yeah, I know... we haven't had the boat that long, we knew the winches needed maintenance when we bought it they turned boat ways when we first looked at it . I think that the PO sprayed them with some WD40 or something just to get em working for a real short time when we took it on a shakedown cruise because they worked temporarily, but not for long. Iit was probable lower on the to-do list than it should have been. I may try to do this annually since it's pretty easy, though I really don't know if that's necessary or not... depends on the type of person you ask. Personally, I like spending time out on the boat vs in the slip fixing it. Anyway, on to the next project I guess... wonder which one that will be...

By the way Ross, thank for the recipe, I will be trying it soon, perhaps I'll get some chowders tomorrow. I bought a clam rake recently and am dying to try that out, now I just need a dingy to get to shallow water... of course I could put my fishing boat in the water, but I am afraid of the project that might happen if I do that...

 

[Ross]

I bought second hand two speed winches and rehabilitated them ten years ago and they are still perfectly smooth. Maybe this winter I will take them apart and have a look. Machinery lasts a long time out in the weather. Farm machine wheels that still turn freely when pulled out from under a barn that collapsed twenty years ago. Well greased bearings are pretty near indistructable.

 

[jibes138]

Depends on what kind of grease Ross

They must have only used Harken or Lewmar Winch Grease on that Farm Wheel in the barn Ross. My problem is I have Barlow Winches and they are no longer in business so I can't get any Barlow grease. I'm afraid to use the Harken or Lewmar brand grease as it is not specifically recommended by the manufacturer. The risk is just too high that the winch will completely dissolve as soon as I put it on leaving a gooey mess all over the boat. :Liar:

 

[jibes138]

Get your winch grease right here

Hey I just did a search on winch grease right here in SBO's store and they carry both grease and winch repair kits with the springs and stuff. I know where I am going to get my winch stuff. Oh and by the way for those of you that used the wrong grease they have winches on sale for fantastic prices. Buying stuff on the internet is great, delivered right to your door so you have more sitting on the couch eating potato chips time.