Buy it
IMHO, you're better off buying one. My Catalina Direct book shows a list price of $89.30. Remember, it's not like a trailer winch. Instead of a simple ratchet system, it uses a system of clutch plates that either apply/remove friction depending on the direction you turn the winch. If you're really mechanically inclined, maybe you can refurb it. Personally, I'm not aware of any vendor that sells winch parts, though (and I really don't think you want to "improvise" on this one). If I recall correctly, you're the guy who was having trouble lowering his keel -- so if part of your clutch is bent out of true (as I surmised in my earlier post), repairing it might also require tools that aren't found in the average C22 owner's garage. Also, consider the condition of your existing winch. I don't know how old it is, but we know it's seen enough use (or is just old enough) that it's suffered some deformity. This makes me wonder if you aren't about to discover your winch's MTBF (mean time before failure). Finally, I remember reading somewhere (might have been the C22 NSA web site) that older winches had a design flaw in them. I think the shaft for the drum was too small.. or something like that. There's a standing recommendation to upgrade your winch if it's the early "defective" model, regardless of how well it seems to work. Admittedly, $90 isn't pocket change -- but I suspect that the tools, parts, sweat equity, and all-around hassle of repairing will cost you much more. Buy a new one, and you'll feel more confident that your winch will be trouble-free for the next few years. ...and for what it's worth, Catalina Direct advises in their catalog, "If the thing isn't working, just replace it. The cost just isn't worth the risk to the boat or the crew."
