Winch relocation

[Red_Dog]

I'm considering relocating the jib sheet winches on my 1986 28.5. They are the OEM Maxwell's.

My question is this: How much, if any, disassembly is required to relocate the winches? Or, is it as simple as removing the nuts and move it to the new location?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Why are you moving them?

 

[Justin_NSA]

My guess is to make single handing easier. I think they are all self-contained and just bolt to the deck. You'd want to transfer the hole pattern to the new location and make sure it fits. Also that it has good backing.

 

[Stu Jackson]

My guess is to make single handing easier.

We hear that a lot.
It doesn't, really.
IMHO, it is more important to avoid being a "slave behind the wheel" than it is to relocate the winches further aft so they can be used by someone behind the wheel.
When there is crew, they can't work the winches 'cuz they're too far aft and/or the helmsman is in the way.
I have been singlehanding my boat for 20 years. A reliable autopilot is far superior to relocated winches. I run my boat from in front of the wheel. The only times I'm back there is leaving and returning to the dock, or relaxing in my perch seat.
Yes, I know, some builders have been doing it. Doesn't make it right, especially for boats with single wheels. Double wheels it could work, but you don't have that.
Before you move them, please think about it a lot more. And while you're thinking, learn about how your winches are built to be able to answer your original question. An internet search on your brand of winch should pull up all sorts of information, like maintenance, service, exploded diagrams, how to disassemble, service and rebuild, etc. And if you can't find your Maxwells, start with Lewmar who have great documentation. Most winches are similar, not identical, but close enough in concept.
Good luck and happy thinin'.

 

[thinwater]

I'm considering relocating the jib sheet winches on my 1986 28.5. They are the OEM Maxwell's.

My question is this: How much, if any, disassembly is required to relocate the winches? Or, is it as simple as removing the nuts and move it to the new location?

Of course, the manufacture recommends stripping and lubing the winches every year, so no disassembly you are not already doing... right?

Additionally, a winch requires strong support and the bolts should probably have a backing plate, or at least extra thick fender washers. The factory location may have (should have) been reinforced, with thicker skins or no core, but the new location will not be so reinforced.

 

[Red_Dog]

Yes, my thought on relocating them is for single-handed sailing - the majority of my sailing time. Also, the current location tails the sheets off into the middle of the side benches. Further aft, I could tail them off into sheet bag in the space between the side benches and the transom bench. The winch would still be forward of the wheel, but at the aft end of the side bench.

I don't have an auto pilot at this time, just a screw knob that bears against the wheel shaft.

I have the exploded views and maintenance information at hand for both the Maxwells and Harkens. The Harkens I don't want to relocate, though they should be dismounted and have the wooden base pads replaced. In both cases, I would rather dismount them and break them down for maintenance on a bench than on the boat. Something about little pieces going boing, never to be seen again.

 

[Red_Dog]

I'm posting a picture to better show where I would like to move them to. It's a bit difficult to see, but there is a molded in pad for a winch.
Up until now I've only sailed tiller boats. If this was a tiller boat - and she should be IMHO - location of the winches would not be an issue for me. As it is there is also a brand new 24" wheel to replace the 36". Should make moving around easier, I hope.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Have you considered that the winch handle is going to hit your pushpit?

How long have you had this boat?

 

[Red_Dog]

Have you considered that the winch handle is going to hit your pushpit?

How long have you had this boat?

Happy that you point the handle/pushpit potential conflict. And now that you brought that up, it just occurred to me that I might also have a conflict with the bimini stay.

This will be my first season with her.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Glad to help, thanks for the photo.

This will be my first season with her.

One of the very first things we tell new-to-them boat owners is to avoid making any changes until you've spent some quality time with the boat. We've learned that 90% of things that new owners think they MUST DO turn out to never get implemented.
Wait.
Buy an auopilot.
Then and only then decide what to do.
Do I get a or if it turns out next year you decide to NOT move the things?

PS - The very LAST thing to ever do is put your jib sheets in a bag. Think about it... Just learn how to flake them out of the way but handy immediately.

 

[Red_Dog]

I'm listening and thinking. The feedback I'm getting is good. Bouncing things around to other people is just part of the thought process. There are things that I think about and would like do, if, they make sense. But the only thing I must do is a new coat of bottom paint and reinstall the batteries come April.

 

[Hunter Ad Bot]

And now a word from the sponsor...

Hunter striping decals

Vinyl striping in official factory colors for most Hunter models. Many colors and sizes in stock!
See the product

 

[Joe]

I've relocated and replaced winches a few times on my boat. It is highly likely that you will have to pull the drum off to get at the top side of the bolts that hold the base on..... so... you should just go ahead and dismantle the winch and service it. It is mandatory that you know how to break down your winches... once you learn it is NO BIG DEAL... anyway, you can then move the base before reassembling the unit. It'll also be easier to hold your winch handle in one hand, the base in the other to find just the right place for relocation. It appears that the new coaming angle will be the same as the current one....so that will make it easier fitting the risers and bolts.... plus the sheet lead angle of 5 to 10 degrees will still exist. I don't see a problem.. if you don't like it, you can always move them back.

 

[jon hansen]

what thinwater said x 2. winches need to be one of the strongest items on the boat. the mounting area needs to be super reinforced. then there could be relocating the feeder blocks too, more reinforcing.
ain't boat design fun?

 

[Mikem]

I’m with Stu. I single hand my 46 frequently and the autopilot with the tack function is terrific. The autopilot will provide much more flexibility and options than relocated winches. The autopilot will change your life.

 

[Capt Robbie]

Red dog
I am almost 99% sure that the new location for the winches is backed with an aluminum plate that is glassed into the decking.
That's the way most of the hunters were built back in that era.
My h34 has backing plates molded into the hull so like I said I'm almost positive yours will be also.
The location you are like to remount the winch I believe was to be used for a spiniker set up. Like others have commented make sure you have the clearance.

 

[Terry Cox]

One of the very first things we tell new-to-them boat owners is to avoid making any changes until you've spent some quality time with the boat.

Ditto here. It appears from your photo the jib winches are in the right place. If it were my boat I would leave them as is. And as Capt. Robbie stated, the winch pads aft were designed to handle spinnaker sheets.

Others have suggested that adding an AP would be a better choice for single handing. Ditto that suggestion. Different model boat here, but layout very similar. I single hand our boat all the time and find the AP indispensable during tack changes or if I need to step away from the wheel.

Please let us know what you decide. Hopefully, our combined suggestions have been of some value.

 

[Meriachee]

Autopilot sails the boat and allows the singlehander to concentrate on trim, traffic, and anything else that may need attention. With a wind input, the AP can steer the boat as well as most of us ever could. Suddenly the location of the winches is a small matter.

 

[Red_Dog]

No decisions to be made yet - too damn cold to sit in the boat, think and ponder.
After looking at auto pilots, I must say they are not in the budget this year. Just have to make due with what I have.

 

[thinwater]

... In both cases, I would rather dismount them and break them down for maintenance on a bench than on the boat. Something about little pieces going boing, never to be seen again.

Not actually a problem, but that could depend on the location and the model.

One solution is to tape a box to the deck (with a hole in the center), around the winch, to catch any parts that make a run for it. If I went that root, I'd probably buy a cheap litter box or large Tupperware container, and make a permanent rig.