Wench stripped or stressed? Things to check for

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Royal Flush

Royal Flush

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Apr 3, 2009
57
2 30 9.2M Yorktown, Va
I used my self tailing lumar wench to wrestle our anchor out of the mud 2 outtings ago and have just noticed she, the boat's wench, not the skipper's wench, doesn't always hold position while sail trimming when torquing down with the wench handle....what are some of the things I can check over? I'm considering cruising this weekend.

-Mac
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
You have probably damaged the winch. It is a good time to service the unit. Get some winch grease and a Lewmar manual. A large coffee can or paint bucket is good to soak the parts in so you can remove the dirt and old grease.

I like a brass brush to help clean the parts.
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Sounds like the paws(sp) may have been damaged. Make sure you have new ones when you go to rebuild.

Just for the record, my Wench is stripped too but I like her that way:D
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Steve Dion said:
You have probably damaged the winch. It is a good time to service the unit. Get some winch grease and a Lewmar manual. A large coffee can or paint bucket is good to soak the parts in so you can remove the dirt and old grease.

I like a brass brush to help clean the parts.
Click to expand
My wench would object to that kind of a bath. A nice warm bubble bath and a glass if wine seems to get things working much more smoothly.
 
RichH

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Royal Flush said:
I used my self tailing lumar wench to wrestle our anchor out of the mud 2 outtings ago and have just noticed she, the boat's wench, not the skipper's wench, doesn't always hold position while sail trimming when torquing down with the wench handle....what are some of the things I can check over? I'm considering cruising this weekend.

-Mac
Click to expand
If your winches arent holding position (the drum is slipping back on its 'gearing' and NOT the rope is slipping on the drum) ... carefully disassemble the winch and especially look at the 'pawls' (little 'cams' that are powered by small springs) make SURE that the pawls arent 'deformed' or are 'sticking' on their posts ... usual case is the grease on the post has badly oxidized and hardened. If only one pawl is malfunctioning, the winch will 'cog-back' a few degrees when you release the winch handle pressure; if TWO pawls are malfunctioning then the winch can suddenly lose its ability to retain the loads - can 'unload' catastrophically and without warning and if the winch handle is still attached can become a rapidly rotating MACE to damage 'heads, arms, hands and other vital body parts'. I have several scars in vital places as testimonial to malfunctioning and worn winch pawls; the prevention is 'winch maintenance'.
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
When was the last time you serviced the WINCH. (NB, a wench is a somewhat derogatory term for a woman, and stripping one will often result in legal troubles and a slap.)

If it has been a while, you could have damaged the pawls or the pawls could be sticking...which often happens when they don't get proper maintenance.

I'd point out that the PAWLS should NOT be greased.. they should be coated with a light machine oil. The spindle and bearings SHOULD BE greased.... greasing the pawls will generally cause them to stick and make the winch a serious hazard as described previously.
 
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RichH

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Dog is correct, pawls should NOT be greased.
However, if the bearings, etc. have too much grease on them that grease often 'transfers' to the radial rack or 'teeth' on the winch drum where the pawls engage and then over time then transfers to the pawls and their posts.

So, the message here is dont 'overload' the bearings with grease so that it can later 'transfer or migrate' to the pawls. Light weight machine oil (can even be enhanced with teflon or graphite) is the proper way to lubricate a pawl and its post.

If you can, replace the springs that operate the pawls ... they can get 'tired' and lose their temper after many years.
 
Don12364

Don12364

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Dec 2, 2003
1,637
Hunter 376 Warsash, England --
Voyarism

There is a distinct possibility that Royal Flush is having a little game with us.
He might even be a "Wench Grinder" off a big race boat.
If not RF, next time you grind a wench please can we all come and see how it is done as I am confused about how to use the "Wench Handle".
 
G

Guest

Stripped wench

A not so young lady was asked to get a neglige for an upcoming trip. She stopped at Home Depot and purchased a dimmer, she was hot.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,323
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Go to the Lewmar website for winch maintenance instructions. You can purchase pawls and springs from them or a marine store. If you're lucky, the pawl's aren't broken, they're just sticking. So you clean 'em, replace the springs and lubricate with OIL not grease. Read the instruciton. Don't put grease on the pawls.

My experience with wenches is that they always appreciate a good lubricating to improve performance.
 
catsailor

catsailor

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Jan 10, 2009
590
PDQ 32 Deale, MD
I've never known a wench to object to lubrication...

though I have never tried waterproof grease. I suspect the finer parts would get stuck. And there's precious little worse than getting the handle stuck in the wench.
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Mac: It would not be a bad idea to purchase some Paws & Springs before you start. They are good to have on hand any time you take a unit apart. The Lewmar's are actually fairly easy to service, but be sure to have the schematics on hand. There are a couple of tricky parts in there that can be installed in the wrong sequence or up-side-down.
 
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