Original Lewmar 7 fore sheet winch

pjacobs55 · Apr 19, 2011

The trick to getting into the cockpit lockers is to empty them completely first ;-) LOL

I'm 6' 3" and can crawl into mine OK, although I confess to doing Yoga exercises every morning. I've still worried about getting out again ... it would be a shame to have to call the fire dept. to cut off the cockpit top with a sawsall to extricate me. I usually keep my phone handy ... just in case. But I think I like the child idea best

All humor aside, I replaced my sheet winches with Anderson 12's a couple of years ago. I had to move the center of the winch slightly away from the original winch center, and drill a bunch of new holes.

I don't recall any particular difficulty getting at the bolts. I used two long extension bars on a ratchet wrench while kneeling on the cockpit floor, and held the screws with a short screw driver in the other hand.

The hardest part was to find the end of the bolt under the combing, but as the bolts were about 1" too long it was possible to "feel" them out with a deep socket on the extensions, and use a mirror to help confuse the whole process.

BTW, the combing is about 2 inches thick ... very solid!Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

winslowbuoy · Apr 19, 2011

Hi George although I've put on some weight since our trip to Galway I can still
get into my locker if its cleared first just leaving the fuel tank at the forrad
end, but it really is a two person job if you want to do it comfortably. The
other person would ideally be of child chimney sweep size for real comfort and
of course the skipper on deck where he ought to be.
Best wishes to you
Mike________________________________
From: towlerg towlerg@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, 20 April, 2011 2:20:55
Subject: [AlbinVega] Original Lewmar 7 fore sheet winch

A while ago I posted a request to anyone with spare they would like to sell. At
the time I didn't get any replies but it's now time to bit the bullet, purchase
and fit a new winch. Has anybody removed one of these winches?

The access to the nuts is realy difficult.

I currently have two plans. A cut a hole in the cockpit coaming or B a child
jammed in the locker with a 3 foot extension bar.

Any other suggestions gratefully accepted.

Or of course if somebody did have a winch or just the drum .....

George 1043 Vista

j.hunter9999 · Apr 20, 2011

Hi George,

We removed ours last year to replace with Lewmar self-tailers of the same size. It isn't as bad as you think. However, it helped to have a second set of hands. I held the nuts from below, then drilled them off from the top with a cordless drill and extension. One can't help be somewhat contorted. However, a small pair of vice grips goes a long way toward holding the nuts as the screw turns.

Find yourself someone small to stuff into the lazerette and hold the nuts.

Jack

pjacobs55 · Apr 20, 2011

Hi George,
Yes I do, but they are being held in reserve incase I ever sell the boat for less than I think it's worth ;-)

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'