Winch maintenance - how often do you?

[Don S/V ILLusion]

It's been a few years since I dissassembled my winches and in reading on another forum that people seem to do it every couple of years, it begs the question - how often should they we opened, cleaned and inspected?

Putting aside the variability in how and how often we use our boats, is there some consensus? Do you find them looking clean after x years? Conversely, do you find them the gears, springs and/or pawls worn more or less often?

 

[SFS]

Interesting questions. I cleaned mine when we bought the boat. They were filthy, and the liveaboard PO had cats, so the interior of the winches had mats of cat hair wrapped around the spindles. After that first inspection and cleaning, my intent was to clean them every year thereafter, and I never did in the 3 years we had the boat.

From my work with a marine salvager, I can say that most folks apparently never clean their winches. I've dealt with literally hundreds of winches from boats. 90% were really dirty, and 98% were overgreased. On many, the grease had hardened so much that the barrels would no longer rotate. How long it takes to arrive at that state, I don't know.

ETA: Regarding wear, I noticed that pawls don't generally seem to deteriorate, but pawl springs do lose their strength and shape over time. Makes sense, as the "wire" is thin. Most of the winches I dealt with were 20 to 40 years old.

 

[jssailem]

I look at the winches as to how long are they exposed to the elements not how often I use them.

I take them apart and clean them at least evert 2 years. I just got covers to put over my new winches, hoping this will extend the time frame of cleaning. Time and use will tell.

 

[dlochner]

My winch servicing is far less often than it probably should be. I've owned Second Star for 8 years and have serviced the primaries once. The grease was hard and it took some work to clean them up. One winch is new, and is probably in decent shape, but it should be cleaned. The last jib halyard winch gets used once a year, so wear should not be an issue but the grease is probably not doing its job.

I've never had an issue with pawls and springs get replaced when I loose them during reassembly.

On a related note, how many have serviced their windlasses?

 

[Davidasailor26]

I do clean mine every year. It’s a good afternoon activity for a day when it’s too windy to go out. The amount of dirt that builds up is pretty remarkable.

Edit to add: And I do the windlass at the same time, since I have the mineral spirits and grease ready anyway. I also do the steering system since it’s a lot of the same supplies.

 

[Justin_NSA]

I had to replace parts in all 3 winches. It wasn't cheap. I keep them covered now. I'll have to see in a year or so how dirty they got. It may give an idea of the frequency for the future.

 

[Tally Ho]

Don’t let them go this long ;-)

1-2 years is probably about right, minimum would be to lubricate.

Greg

 

[jviss]

I do mine every other year. Pro tip: very little grease is necessary, only a film on the bearings. Extra grease catches extra dirt. No grease on the pawls, only oil. Keep them covered when you're away.

 

[Parsons]

I use a rule-of-thumb (literally) that a good surveyor taught me. Put your thumb in the handle hole and if you can rotate the drum easily, it probably does not need maintenance.

 

[jon hansen]

top offshore racing teams lube the winches, and everything that moves, before each and every race. if you all pull apart your winches and there is dirt, you waited too long.

jviss is spot on. keep it light with the grease.

we all check the engine oil every day when on the run.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

top offshore racing teams lube the winches, and everything that moves, before each and every race. if you all pull apart your winches and there is dirt, you waited too long.

jviss is spot on. keep it light with the grease.

we all check the engine oil every day when on the run.

Good point.
Our son races nationally and one of the team is responsible for winch maintenance before every race.

 

[Calif. Ted]

top offshore racing teams lube the winches, and everything that moves, before each and every race.

That's my schedule, before every race.

 

[Siamese]

Here on Lake Michigan, where we have a somewhat limited season and no salt, my answer is not very often. Every 8 years, maybe?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Thanks for the replies. A diverse group!

 

[Tally Ho]

Here on Lake Michigan, where we have a somewhat limited season and no salt, my answer is not very often. Every 8 years, maybe?

That seems a bit too long. Are they covered most of the time?

I am on Lake Michigan too, but usually clean/grease mine every couple of years.

Greg

 

[Joe]

I inspect mine yearly. The drums on my four new Lewmar ST's that replaced the 40 year old Barlow Standards can be easily removed with no tools. Do your inspection and minimal lubrication without dismantling the winch entirely. Complete service requires checking and replacing pawl springs, cleaning gears etc. but is usually unnecessary if you simply inspect regularly with minor maintenance. Allow about 10 minutes for each winch. The old Barlows are fantastic and will last indefinitely with normal maintenance. I've kept them to swap out should I have trouble getting the price I want when the boat goes up for sale next year.

 

[sailcapt340]

I had to link this question in with a posting in this section, a few days back, when it was asked about “Ship/Maintenance Log Book”. It made me go back to my log book to see when I do my winches.
Both are very good ideas.
It turns out it’s every 2 years along with the Roller Furler.
My are covered and never seem to need any work, but are done regardles.

Which, to add to your question, if you don’t mind sir……Do most of you do this while in or out of the water? And what do you use to keep the parts from going everywhere while the service is being done?

 

[dlochner]

Do most of you do this while in or out of the water? And what do you use to keep the parts from going everywhere while the service is being done?

I prefer to take the winches right off the boat and service them at home, especially when they have been neglected for a while.

Surround the area with old towels or blankets, something soft. The part you are most likely to lose is a pawl spring, those little devils have a mind of their own. I always have extra springs and pawls, just in case. The other parts are large enough to stay where you put them.

 

[shemandr]

Somewhere someone made the suggestion of putting a box around the winch before removing the drum to prevent getaway parts. Seemed like a good idea to me.

 

[capta]

When we were sailing almost every day, it was a once a year routine. Maybe once every two years if they are out in the weather.