On my 6.8m S2 with the winch handle off, if the shaft in the cockpit is accidentally hit directly by my foot or a grandson plays with it, the mechanism suddenly releases the swing centerboard all the way down in one fast action. Is this normal? With the winch handle on it doesn't happen.
Swing centerboard winch releases?
- Thread starter Tsam
- Start date
There are different styles but for this style application for example the Catalina 22 swing keel has what we call a brake style winch when you stop moving the handle it will brake or not move. I am not sure of the make of that winch but I find it surprising that if the handle is in, it will not release. It could be no one wants to touch it for example hitting a knee against the handle and that is a ouch!
I always told my customers whether new or used paticuraly the older boats like in your case, to leave that swing keel down. Why? Should it be all the way up and the winch or cable fails, it will come down hard and most likely damage the hull and some boats have sunk as a result. My suggestion is to leave it down always when in the water and only winch it up after running aground, coming into a slip where a cable or bracing is underneath or simply putting on the trailer. In the case of the trailer, you need to rest that swing keel on the keel tray to keep it from bouncing up and down so no damage will occur.
There are two things noted above. First, I do not know what the holes on the left and right for. Is it for sticking something in to lock that winch, screw hole or on the right could it be for an additional rod to turn that with if you do not have the winch handle.
In addition below you will see a W which is the logo for Wichard. I looked at the catalogue on file but none appears. There office is in Charlotte, NC but the area code does not match as I think it is in MD but you can try it. 401-683-5055.
As for the winch brakes seen on the Catalina 25 or 22, not sure who it is made by but you could call Catalina Direct or simply call the Catalina parts store which is 727-544-6681 ext. 266 to see who makes those and then look it up. Let me know what you come up with.
I always told my customers whether new or used paticuraly the older boats like in your case, to leave that swing keel down. Why? Should it be all the way up and the winch or cable fails, it will come down hard and most likely damage the hull and some boats have sunk as a result. My suggestion is to leave it down always when in the water and only winch it up after running aground, coming into a slip where a cable or bracing is underneath or simply putting on the trailer. In the case of the trailer, you need to rest that swing keel on the keel tray to keep it from bouncing up and down so no damage will occur.
There are two things noted above. First, I do not know what the holes on the left and right for. Is it for sticking something in to lock that winch, screw hole or on the right could it be for an additional rod to turn that with if you do not have the winch handle.
In addition below you will see a W which is the logo for Wichard. I looked at the catalogue on file but none appears. There office is in Charlotte, NC but the area code does not match as I think it is in MD but you can try it. 401-683-5055.
As for the winch brakes seen on the Catalina 25 or 22, not sure who it is made by but you could call Catalina Direct or simply call the Catalina parts store which is 727-544-6681 ext. 266 to see who makes those and then look it up. Let me know what you come up with.
Thanks for your responses Dave and Justsomeguy. Will follow up on your leads/suggestions and let you know. The centerboard is only about 70lbs so the winch handle seems to provide enough resistance. Even when I give it a spin it advances only one revolution before stopping. Takes 70 revelations to go all the way down.
A brake winch usually has a minimum activation rating, where the weight of the object being winched must meet or exceed that weight rating. If not, the braking feature won't engage...
Dunno why yours is acting up without the handle installed. Per Dave's recommendation, I'd leave it all the way down until you can figure out why the brake's not engaging.
Dutton-Lainson is a big supplier of brake winches.
Dunno why yours is acting up without the handle installed. Per Dave's recommendation, I'd leave it all the way down until you can figure out why the brake's not engaging.
Dutton-Lainson is a big supplier of brake winches.
Justsomeguy;
Thank you for your help and knowledge here. If the boat is in the water or on the trailer,, I always said to leave the keel down. Spent many a time fishing keels out.
Thank you for your help and knowledge here. If the boat is in the water or on the trailer,, I always said to leave the keel down. Spent many a time fishing keels out.
Talked to Wichard and they said they don't now, nor never have, made these winches and the logo is not theirs. I thought maybe the one Justsomeguy showed us was an updated logo. But they said it has always been the same. So, can anyone identify the manufacturer of the pictured winch in my original post? The logo is a "trident" design.
Next I talked to an winch engineer at Dutton-Lainson who said that the winch needed to be operated with the handle on for proper resistance and operation. He was not surprised it released without the handle attached. Suggested handle always be on when operating boat.
I prefer to take it off while sailing. Because lines get tangled in it and feet sometime catch on it. This supports the above suggestions to always lower the centerboard, then I can remove the winch handle for sailing.
Next I talked to an winch engineer at Dutton-Lainson who said that the winch needed to be operated with the handle on for proper resistance and operation. He was not surprised it released without the handle attached. Suggested handle always be on when operating boat.
I prefer to take it off while sailing. Because lines get tangled in it and feet sometime catch on it. This supports the above suggestions to always lower the centerboard, then I can remove the winch handle for sailing.
I knew it wasn't Wichard's logo. Did an image search, to no avail. You might post a few photos of the winch with the question in the "Ask All Sailors" forum. Good luck
It was identified as Merriman but they are out of business and that style brake winch is no longer offered even by another mfg. I searched even on Ebay and could not find it. Sorry about the wrong mfg but at least it was identified. Not sure why you would want to leave the keel up anyway at all times when in the water but as suggested you may have to resort to another style which is why I suggested Catalina.