Centerboard Winch trouble

Apr 26, 2013
18
Bristol 35 Essex
I'm acquiring my friend's '72 Bristol 35. It has a centerboard that's stuck up in the box. We don't seem to be able to find any locking mechanism on the winch. He says the centerboard is pretty much cemented up in there from when the boat sat in mud and packed it full, but I need to find a way to lock it just in case it jars loose. Any idea where I can find a replacement winch if this one's beyond repair? I'm heading over to clean Saturday or Sunday and will try to get some good pictures, but the winch is mounted on the inside wall of the port side locker in the cockpit.