Winch maintenance

[Paul]

I have a 1978 C27, purchased last year. This past weekend, my portside winch started slipping. When I crank in the genny sheet, the winch will spin backwards if I don't cleat off the sheet immediately. It eventually catches, sometimes. Both winches are originals from Catalina and I am sure they would benefit from being broken down and greased (provided nothing internal is broken). Can someone please recommend a information source on the steps for winch maintenance?

 

[Todd (SV Windwalker)]

Minch maint. link

Here's a luseful linkhttp://www.boats.com/content/default_detail.jsp?contentid=1322

 

[Calif. Ted]

Boatworks Magazine, Spring 2004

from Sail Magazine did article with full color pictures using Lewmar self-tailers which were factory equipment on my '94 C270. Also has diagrams of Andersen, Harken, Lewmar. If you can't find a copy around you can order at:http://www.sailmag.com/boatworks/or I can scan and E-mail or Snail mail to you.Also check the Lewmar Site they have extensive interactive cut-away diagrams etc. kind of hard to find exactly what you want here is link to Lewmar, click on winch in menu at left & select your type (if it is Lewmar): http://www.lewmar.com/webcat/index.aspOther Brands also have good info on their sites, all make a re-build or repair kit with needed lubes and full instructions, with luck you just need to service, may need to replace "pawls".

 

[Ken Juul]

RE: Winch rebuild

The Lemar web site takes some time to figure out, but has all the information you need. The clean/grease/rebuild is fairly straight forward. If you don't have the owners manual you can find the procedure in the download section, it is written in 4 languages so takes a while to sort through it. Step 1(not shown in manual) is to take a box, I find that 24 pack of soda's/beer is a good size, split so you have two large trays. On one side cut a circle the size of the winch base. This slides over the winch before you begin dissassembly to catch any pieces your greasy fingers may drop. The other side makes a great tray to hold the pieces before and after cleaning to keep your boat clean. Your slippage is probably due to broken pawl springs. I'm on the east coast, got my parts from:Florida Rigging & Hydraulics 1 800 718 1649 The site also lists service centers in CA.Very helpful, knowledgeable folks. They have rebuild kits prepackaged, or seperate parts. My winches were dirty, but otherwise in good shape. I chose not to use the rebuild kits and just replaced a couple broken springs. Think they were 88 cents each, bought a couple spares at that price! What a difference in operation after a good cleaning and regrease.

 

[Paul]

BARLOW winches and parts supply info.

Catalina's parts department did some research for me regarding the original winches used on the mid-70s C27. The winches were made by Barlow (& Barient), a now defunct company. Fortunately, Catalina sent me a link to an Australian supplier (See below).Thanks for the tips.Paul