28 - Winches

[Greg]

Having had a 28 for a couple of months I felt the winch maintenance was due. I was absolutely amazed to discover (I should have noticed earlier!) that with the camber of the deck the winches (Lewmar 30s) are fixed in a moulded recess in the hull and there is no way to remove the gears for maintenance other than to lift the whole winch and base from the deck. Unimaginably bad design and at odds with the rest of the well designed boat. What about the safety need to keep the machinery in a safe condition???I have in mind to place a block under each winch and raise it so as to be able to service the gears in future without the large task of lifting them every few months.But before I hand over more of my hard earned cash to the shipwright - has anybody got a beter idea?

 

[Rob R.]

removal...

Greg, You may find that removal is not as bad as you might think. It all has to do with access to the bottom bolts in cabin below.My Barient 21's are a cakewalk to remove. I prefer to take them home, as I can really clean them well there, and it makes far less mess than doing them in place. Also, imersing the gears in kerosene helps get some of that stubborn dirt off of them. Of course, I only do mine about once a year in this climate.Best of luck, and let us know how you make out.Rob

 

[Greg]

Thanks, Bob.

Thanks for your kind advice, Bob. I shall have another look at the "total removal" option and let you know.