I have a Venture/Mac 25 (it's a 1979). I can't seem to crank the handle to lower the keel. The keel appears to move more or less freely, there is not a lot of rust build-up. I simply cannot release the winch. I can tighten it. But I don't want to do that, I want to go sailing. I have read the owners manual and it tells me to crank the handle counter clockwise. I'm no superman, but it doesn't move counterclockwise! Maybe I'm just afraid of breaking something do I need to push the handle as if I was superman, will this fix the problem? Any advice? Thank in advance. Mike
Keel Winch - I can't lower the keel
- Thread starter Saillombardi
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Brake winch needed
The original winch is called a "brake winch" and cranks up and down. If someone has replaced your winch, there may be a lever you need to flip as the previous responder implied. If you have a lever winch, it will operate like the winches on most boat trailers. You can get a brake winch from Northern Tool for about $45 (look on the internet). If you have a winch with a lever, I recommend you replace it as it can injure you when you drop the keel.
The original winch is called a "brake winch" and cranks up and down. If someone has replaced your winch, there may be a lever you need to flip as the previous responder implied. If you have a lever winch, it will operate like the winches on most boat trailers. You can get a brake winch from Northern Tool for about $45 (look on the internet). If you have a winch with a lever, I recommend you replace it as it can injure you when you drop the keel.
Been there done this, Spray it with a lubricant.
Mine did the same thing. I struggled with it for month at the suggestion that it be replaced. It got harder and harder to crank down. I was told that you would ruin the clutch if you spray it. Finally out of desperation one day I hit it with some silicon spray that I had handy. What a difference. It cranks up and down easily now. It even holds in any position as you crank down. The ratchet also clicks as you crank it up. Then get back and let others know that it works. Trust me, spray it. Frank
Mine did the same thing. I struggled with it for month at the suggestion that it be replaced. It got harder and harder to crank down. I was told that you would ruin the clutch if you spray it. Finally out of desperation one day I hit it with some silicon spray that I had handy. What a difference. It cranks up and down easily now. It even holds in any position as you crank down. The ratchet also clicks as you crank it up. Then get back and let others know that it works. Trust me, spray it. Frank
Thanks I'll try this tonight
Thanks for the suggestions. I have already checked for a lever to release that will allow me to drop the keel but have not found one. It looks like a brake style winch. I will hit the winch with some silicone spray tonight and let everybody know if it works. Thanks for the help. Mike
Thanks for the suggestions. I have already checked for a lever to release that will allow me to drop the keel but have not found one. It looks like a brake style winch. I will hit the winch with some silicone spray tonight and let everybody know if it works. Thanks for the help. Mike
Releasing the Winch
I had similar issues and found that a small amount of lubricant helped. One time out of desparation I took a kleenex and soaked it with some 2-cycle motor oil (it's what I had onboard at the time) and simply pressed it against the bushing where the handle shaft enters the winch. I jiggled the winch crank back and forth a bit. That was enough to do the trick. Don't over lubricate! Another thought: if the cable didn't wind on to the drum properly it could become looped in a manner that it gets caught into the winch gear. (This can happen if the boat was grounded and the cable was winched in without tension.) My boat has a cutout on the starboard side that allows me to peer into the winch with a flashlight to see if the cable is properly wound on to the drum. If this is the case the cable could get damaged and should be inspected. DON'T PUT YOUR FINGERS INTO THE WINCH ASSEMBLY! Use a tool if necessary to realign the cable. Good luck!
I had similar issues and found that a small amount of lubricant helped. One time out of desparation I took a kleenex and soaked it with some 2-cycle motor oil (it's what I had onboard at the time) and simply pressed it against the bushing where the handle shaft enters the winch. I jiggled the winch crank back and forth a bit. That was enough to do the trick. Don't over lubricate! Another thought: if the cable didn't wind on to the drum properly it could become looped in a manner that it gets caught into the winch gear. (This can happen if the boat was grounded and the cable was winched in without tension.) My boat has a cutout on the starboard side that allows me to peer into the winch with a flashlight to see if the cable is properly wound on to the drum. If this is the case the cable could get damaged and should be inspected. DON'T PUT YOUR FINGERS INTO THE WINCH ASSEMBLY! Use a tool if necessary to realign the cable. Good luck!
These are bump and release winches
Brake winches require that you "bump" them in the downward direction. Crank just slightly towards the up direction and then quickly towards the down direction. Thats what gets the brake to release. You can try the lubricate method, it has mixed reviews, some like it, some winches will be ruined and not hold again. When they get twitchy like this its best to replace them. See NorthernTool.com for brake winches.
Brake winches require that you "bump" them in the downward direction. Crank just slightly towards the up direction and then quickly towards the down direction. Thats what gets the brake to release. You can try the lubricate method, it has mixed reviews, some like it, some winches will be ruined and not hold again. When they get twitchy like this its best to replace them. See NorthernTool.com for brake winches.
It Moves!
Thanks very much everybody, I sort of incorporated all the ideas into one. Here is my method: 1. I checked again to make sure there was no latch on the winch. There is not. 2. I stuck my head in that little hole with a flashlight to check for rust - very rusty! I put some grease on the gear I could see but did not lube the braking mechanism. 3. I cranked the kell up a bit to make the handle easier to push counter clockwise. I gave an heroic shove and the crank moved about 1/2". After several more serious pushes and only 1-2 inches I decided to add some lube to the braking mechanism. 4. I put a small, I emphasize small, shot of Jig-A-Loo into the braking mechanism. I let that sit for 5 minutes so the JAL could do its thing. 5. Then I tried to crank counterclockwise again. Success. It lowered, difficult but I assume this was because of the braking mechanism. It stopped when I stopped cranking the winch - I tested this several times to be sure. Sailing is much easier with the keel down. Thanks again much appreciated.
Thanks very much everybody, I sort of incorporated all the ideas into one. Here is my method: 1. I checked again to make sure there was no latch on the winch. There is not. 2. I stuck my head in that little hole with a flashlight to check for rust - very rusty! I put some grease on the gear I could see but did not lube the braking mechanism. 3. I cranked the kell up a bit to make the handle easier to push counter clockwise. I gave an heroic shove and the crank moved about 1/2". After several more serious pushes and only 1-2 inches I decided to add some lube to the braking mechanism. 4. I put a small, I emphasize small, shot of Jig-A-Loo into the braking mechanism. I let that sit for 5 minutes so the JAL could do its thing. 5. Then I tried to crank counterclockwise again. Success. It lowered, difficult but I assume this was because of the braking mechanism. It stopped when I stopped cranking the winch - I tested this several times to be sure. Sailing is much easier with the keel down. Thanks again much appreciated.
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