Lewmar Winches

[Ron Koenig]

I have a 1983 Catalina 30 with all Lewmar winches (5 thru 30ST). The boat did not come with any service manuals for these winches. I was wondering if manuals were available for these winches. Does anybody know where I could get them. Also, the self tailing portion of the 16st does not operate proporly. This is the old style where the top jaw does not turn. It seems that the space between the jaws is too small ( approx. 1/2") and my my 5/8" mainsheet does not fit in the jaws. Is there an adjustment that can be done? I was going to take it apart but I can't figure how to get the winch apart. Any suggestions?Thanks!

 

[Joe]

I confused....

The reason the 5/8 mainsheet doesn't fit is because the winch probably wasn't designed for that application. A #16 seems pretty small for such a large line. If I were you I would check out some other C 30's and see how they are rigged. You didn't identify the winch location. I'm guessing it's located on the cabin top and, therefore, is primarily for halyards, cunningham, vang adjustments. Even if your mainsheet and traveller are mounted on the cabin you shouldn't have to use a winch to adjust them. I haven't seen all boats, but a mainsheet winch on a thirty footer seems unlikely. I could be wrong, though. Lewmar repair and maintenance kits are available at any Lewmar dealer/chandlery such as West Marine, Boat/US etc. While you're on the West Marine website surf over to the Lewmar site, there might be some help there.

 

[Tron Jockey]

I'm with Joe

You should have a "whole bunch to one" advantage on your main sheet and using a winch there makes no sense. Ya oughta be able to hand over hand that baby in all but the worst weather. As for manuals, diagrams and such, try online:http://www.pyacht.com/Lewmar%20Winch%20Schematics.htmor ask one of the fine folk at Florida Rigging & Hydraulics, they may be able to help:http://www.rigginghydraulics.com/

 

[Stan Rogacevicz]

Mainsheet is oversized

Ron, The problem isn't that your winch is too small it's that your mainsheet is too large. I don't have a 5/8" line on my c320 for anything except anchoring. It sounds like the previous owner didn't like to use winches as the other replies suggested and upped the diameter to 5/8 to get a better grip. I used to use the mainsheet on my c28 like a dingy and only use the winch when the wind really picked up. I tried that with my c320 and I almost got yanked across the cockpit. Your c30 being in the middle it's your call.Stan"Christy Leigh"c320 #656

 

[Richard]

Several ideas and answers

Yes 5/8 in is oversize for the mainsheet. It is no big deal if you don't use the winch and there really is no reason you should have to use it. I sail in winds up to 25 knots on a normal day and never winch the mainsheet in. If you can't pull yours then likely the owner did something real stupid in routing it so that it is rubbing or hanging up in a block? 5/8 inch line will take big blocks or it will bind in them.To crack open a lewmar winch just remove the clip at the top. You can do this with a screwdriver (it is a little snap ring at the top) easily enough. I highly recommend taking a cardboard box and cutting a hole the size of the winch out of it and slipping this over the winch before you try anything. Snap rings love to go flying into the water. After removing the ring the top of the winch (drum) will pull up. What you will see is two sets of bearings that need cleaned and lubed with quality waterproof grease and some ratchet mechanism that likely you don't really want to mess with, but you can put a little grease on them also.Richard