I want to upgrade my mainsail furling winch to self tailing. The nuts/bolts on my existing standard winch are easily accessible but I'm concerned about how to get the winch out of the bedding material (I assume it will be something like 5200). The boat is a 9 year old Beneteau. Any suggestions?
removing winches
- Thread starter Bill C320 Papillon
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Shouldn't be a problem
Manufacturers assume that winches and other deck hardware will need to be periodically rebedded. Therefore, they are not fastened with permanent adhesives. A little elbow grease and maybe a sharp knife should be enough to remove them. Likewise, do not rebed them with permanent adhesive.
Manufacturers assume that winches and other deck hardware will need to be periodically rebedded. Therefore, they are not fastened with permanent adhesives. A little elbow grease and maybe a sharp knife should be enough to remove them. Likewise, do not rebed them with permanent adhesive.
A "garrot" made of strong nylon fishing line or
possibly wire may also help cut the bonding material. 2 pieces of wood dowel for handles and length of cutting line, like a potter may use to cut clay. However, your winchs are fairly new and many people are happy with the performance of self tailing devices that can be added to a winch. Have you considered trying one, much cheaper. I've attached a webpage that has pictures of them, shop around of course.
possibly wire may also help cut the bonding material. 2 pieces of wood dowel for handles and length of cutting line, like a potter may use to cut clay. However, your winchs are fairly new and many people are happy with the performance of self tailing devices that can be added to a winch. Have you considered trying one, much cheaper. I've attached a webpage that has pictures of them, shop around of course.
Anti-Bond
If all else fails, try Anti-Bond 2015 - 1.2 OZ Spray" sold at West Marine and Boat US stores. I've never tried this stuff on 3M5200 but it is advertised as a cleaning and de-bonder for it. I have tried it on other adhesives and it worked well.
If all else fails, try Anti-Bond 2015 - 1.2 OZ Spray" sold at West Marine and Boat US stores. I've never tried this stuff on 3M5200 but it is advertised as a cleaning and de-bonder for it. I have tried it on other adhesives and it worked well.
It is probably not bedded at all.
I have a new Beneteau and have not observed any bedding material around any of the winches or other deck hardware. Either they are very careful or there is nothing there. But then, why would you bed something that is not through bolted?
I have a new Beneteau and have not observed any bedding material around any of the winches or other deck hardware. Either they are very careful or there is nothing there. But then, why would you bed something that is not through bolted?
Very seriously doubt that it is 5200
Remove the screws/bolts. You can put a putty knife under the winch to get it started if needed. It should lift right off. Do NOT even think about 5200 for this application. Something like 4200 or Life caulk are the products to look at. When you rebed the winch, just caulk mask off the area slightly larger than the winch base. Place caulking on the winch and on the fiberglass (more is better). Put some caulking in the bolt holes too. Replace the winch and DO NOT TIGHTED securly, just enough so the device is seated. Let it cure for at least 24 hours. Then return and secure the device with the proper torque. DO not tighten with the screws, but with the nuts. This prevents the screws from spinning off the caulking that is in the holes.
Remove the screws/bolts. You can put a putty knife under the winch to get it started if needed. It should lift right off. Do NOT even think about 5200 for this application. Something like 4200 or Life caulk are the products to look at. When you rebed the winch, just caulk mask off the area slightly larger than the winch base. Place caulking on the winch and on the fiberglass (more is better). Put some caulking in the bolt holes too. Replace the winch and DO NOT TIGHTED securly, just enough so the device is seated. Let it cure for at least 24 hours. Then return and secure the device with the proper torque. DO not tighten with the screws, but with the nuts. This prevents the screws from spinning off the caulking that is in the holes.
Jentene...
Hard to imagine having winches that are neither through bolted (and properly backed) or winches that have not been bedded with caulk. If your Beneteau really does not have winches through bolted (which I doubt), you may want to make this your number one project to do over the winter....long before that big headsail begins to put a lot of pressure on the sheets wrapped around them....
Hard to imagine having winches that are neither through bolted (and properly backed) or winches that have not been bedded with caulk. If your Beneteau really does not have winches through bolted (which I doubt), you may want to make this your number one project to do over the winter....long before that big headsail begins to put a lot of pressure on the sheets wrapped around them....
Wincher
Ted, My existing winch has a wincher and I have used them on other boats. They work fine up to a point. They will tail a line to some degree but without a stripper, the line will over wrap and jam unles you manually keep tension on it. I single hand mostly, and it takes three hands to furl/unfurl the main, one for the outhaul, one for the furling line, and one for the winch handle, I thought that with the ST upgrade, I could have that extra hand removed. I've been using the existing set up for years and it works well enough but I occasionally like to tinker and make life easier as I age. Thanks for the suggestions Bill
Ted, My existing winch has a wincher and I have used them on other boats. They work fine up to a point. They will tail a line to some degree but without a stripper, the line will over wrap and jam unles you manually keep tension on it. I single hand mostly, and it takes three hands to furl/unfurl the main, one for the outhaul, one for the furling line, and one for the winch handle, I thought that with the ST upgrade, I could have that extra hand removed. I've been using the existing set up for years and it works well enough but I occasionally like to tinker and make life easier as I age. Thanks for the suggestions Bill
Jentine
The winches are through bolted. Don't know what model Beneteau you have, and I'm envious of anyone with a new Beneteau, but if it is like mine you will find wooden plates in the cabin overhead liner below each winch. Remove the plates and you'll see the bolts. Beneteau has made access very easy.
The winches are through bolted. Don't know what model Beneteau you have, and I'm envious of anyone with a new Beneteau, but if it is like mine you will find wooden plates in the cabin overhead liner below each winch. Remove the plates and you'll see the bolts. Beneteau has made access very easy.
Bill, Certainly understand desire to make
things easier, 2 speed self tailers was one of the "New Technologies" that got me back sailing after long hiatus. Good luck with your project, wonder why they didn't use a self tailing winch to start with ?
things easier, 2 speed self tailers was one of the "New Technologies" that got me back sailing after long hiatus. Good luck with your project, wonder why they didn't use a self tailing winch to start with ?
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