Winch Grease

[agprice22]

dangit! I am getting to rebuild a serviced winch, and I need to install it for sailing tomorrow. I cannot find my lewmar grease anywhere! I do not have time to order some, as we will be leaving in the morning to be out of town next week, on the boat. What can I use instead of my lewmar grease?

 

[justsomeguy]

What can I use instead of my lewmar grease?

Just use whatever type grease you've got on hand, and a very light coat. Makes it less of a mess when you get your Lewmar stuff back in hand.

 

[Roland5048]

Just use whatever type grease you've got on hand

KY

 

[justsomeguy]

Would you please pass the jelly?

 

[jssailem]

@Roland5048 ,,, you sicko.. you know that is water soluble.
@agprice22 I would listen to @justsomeguy and plan on redoing the process when you get time. Just do not put it off for ever. They say out of sight out of mind... Except for Roland. You do not want to let that guy out of sight.

 

[kloudie1]

If ya can find some, Green Grease. Also, a good boat trailer bearing grease, usually lithium based

 

[agprice22]

Okie dokie. I am pretty good about servicing them because I like to have them run smoothly.

 

[jssailem]

Running smoothly is good. Is very good.

 

[Kermit]

Nose grease.

 

[JimInPB]

For the winches that go click, click, click when you turn them, I normally use Lucas Marine Grease. When I am short on that, Lucas Red n Tacky has also worked well. Even plain old wheel bearing grease from the auto parts store is not a terrible choice.

If you have one of the high priced winches that is quiet & works on cam bearings, then you only want to use to exact grease that the manufacturer recommends. Otherwise, they just slip in both directions. These things are pretty rare, but I have seen a few. I don't remember the brands.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

You probably know- but DON'T grease the pawls and springs- just use oil there

 

[StargazerP303]

You might try some STP Oil Treatment! It doesn't wear off like grease in the heat. I use STP 50/50 even in my lower unit 5HP outboard motor. After 5 years I opened my winch and all are set to go. Of course, That's me! $1.60

 

[Meriachee]

@Kermit , do you need another beer?

 

[rgranger]

Bicycle shops carry the green stuff.

 

[thinwater]

PS did a bunch of winch grease testing. Either Lewmar or Green Grease from Advance Autoparts. They were both outstanding, and I've used both for many years. But not all waterproof greases and trailer greases are equal.

https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_70/features/Winch-Grease-Corrosion-Tests_12090-1.html
https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_74/features/Budget-Priced-Winch-Grease_12154-1.html

 

[Mark Maulden]

What do you mean getting to rebuild a serviced winch? Hearing the click-click-click is a good sign. It wont unload.. If you have to grease for immediate use, then use anything and fix it later. Do not grease the pawls. I have no problem with loud clicks...oil the pawls which probably won’t last long. It’s not like this thing is turning at 5000 rpm.. Click click click...

 

[agprice22]

Yes. I know not to grease pawls. By “serviced,” I mean disassembled, cleaned, and springs, pawls, and gears checked for wear. Yes. It is a “clicker.” It is in good shape. It is only a 10 year old winch, so it is a relative baby. I just cannot find my lewmar grease! I will stop and get some Lucas Marine or some Green Grease on the way to the marina.

I had a winch on a boat that had sat for years outside. The winch turned like it had been greased with silly putty. I opened it up, and the the grease had hardened with the dirt so badly, I soaked it in gas for a bit before I could brush it off and see metal. In all that cleaning, I lost one of the springs, so I bought a lewmar rebuild kit.
Thanks!

 

[JimInPB]

You probably know- but DON'T grease the pawls and springs- just use oil there

OK, maybe I am missing something here. If so, please fill me in.

I usually coat the pawls & springs with a thin coat of grease for corrosion protection. I just smear it on with my fingers or a rag. I don't leave globs of it behind. If the boat is only going to be used in warm climates & the springs are strong, I use grease to lubricate the pawl. If the boat may go up north at some point, then I use oil on the pawl. If the boat may go to extremely cold climates, then I use dry lube with Teflon or graphite. The graphite can be a mess, so I avoid it when practical. In the lakes of Arizona, I use high temperature grease that has a drop off rating above 400F

 

[Kermit]

@Kermit , do you need another beer?

Always!

 

[Gunni]

If the boat is only going to be used in warm climates & the springs are strong, I use grease to lubricate the pawl. If the boat may go up north at some point, then I use oil on the pawl.

That is a seriously flawed practice. Winch manufacturers provide specific guidance in this regard and the reason you don’t grease the pawls is captured in Andrew’s observation that his winch behaved like it was filled with silly putty. As grease ages it picks up debris and hardens. What you have done is to place a potential glue on your pawl and when a pawl becomes glued into its pocket your loaded-up winch doesn’t ratchet lock. The crew release the winch handle and the winch either immediately free-wheels or potentially later releases without warning. It is the reason we remove our winch handles from a working winch and NEVER grease the pawls.