Winch removal

[Zoom767]

Good Day Everyone,

I'm servicing all of my winches this year and one pair are Harken 16st's. A poor design in my view -- in that the baseplate has to be removed from the boat in order to do a thorough job of inspecting and servicing the centre spindle, main gear and pawls/springs.

In my case, I believe the previous owner has applied a silicone-like substance under the base as after I removed all baseplate screws the winch is still firm in place and will not budge. My concern is in possibly causing damage to the boat by trying to pry the winch base free.

I've researched other internet avenues to try and find a solution to this problem; however, I have been unsuccessful.

My question is: Has anyone had a similar experience with which they could provide me with a viable solution in removing the winch baseplate without causing any damage? If I'm going to tackle a job, I want to do it thoroughly and properly. In not being able to service the main gear and pawl/springs would fall into the "half-assed" category of the way to do maintenance

I've thought of using a line to tie to the winch and, using a second winch, slowly applying pressure to the offending winch but I'm not positive that this is the smartest thing to do.

If you haven't had to deal with this issue but have some other suggestions, they would be most welcome.

Best Regards,
Rob

 

[Head Sail]

Maybe try some heat and a putty knife to pry loose?

 

[justsomeguy]

A thin piano wire or guitar string?

 

[CloudDiver]

If it is silicone (my P.O. used that too) you wouldn't risk much damage by using a putty knife and mallet to tap around the base until it will pry up with moderate pressure. If they used 3M 4200 or a like product (Sikaflex etc) I'd be more careful, that is classified as an adhesive AND sealant, but the more powerful property is the first. In either case the suggestion to use a Guitar or Piano wire is a good one, a gentle sawing motion should go through it. If they used 3M 5200 you're screwed.

 

[Zoom767]

All great suggestions!! Thank you all so much

 

[Joe]

I looked at the both service manuals for the 16st and you do have to disconnect the winch from the base to remove the center spindle.... but you can service the pawls, springs, gears and bearings without doing that. My first inclination is to simply service the winch per the instructions... leaving it connected to the boat. Unless you want to move the winch or suspect something wrong with the center spindle.... that's all you really need to do.

The other option would be to use a vibrating multi tool or a very rigid putty knife to break the seal on the adhesive. It is most likely just dried out and will release once you've fractured it. I don't think you'll pull any gel coat away from the boat.... that is a chemical bond. When you re install... the popular bedding compound is butyl tape... check with Mainsail's column for more info on that.

 

[WayneH]

Get a lawyer and pay big bucks. Oh wait. you said winch, not wench. My bad.

 

[njlarry]

An oscillating tool will give you some finesse. (besides you know you want one)

 

[Zoom767]

Thanks Joe,

But I also want to inspect, grease and service the main gear, pawls and springs. The only way to access this is by removing the spindle which is bolted to the boat. The only gear which can be removed easily is the small gear and shaft at the side of the spindle.

I don't understand your comment "you can service the pawls, springs, gears and bearings without doing that."

 

[Joe]

Thanks Joe,

But I also want to inspect, grease and service the main gear, pawls and springs. The only way to access this is by removing the spindle which is bolted to the boat. The only gear which can be removed easily is the small gear and shaft at the side of the spindle.

I don't understand your comment "you can service the pawls, springs, gears and bearings without doing that."

Zounds! I read those directions at least ten times... and I finally see my mistake... they said to remove pawls, gears etc..... then they say
"To remove center spindle, winch must be removed from deck". Like it was an afterthought..... So... you gotta get the winch off. I think you can do it with a chisel or sharp scraper... tap around the edge to try to break the bond... even if you damage the gel coat it will be covered by the winch when you re mount it.... bottom line... if you want service your winches you have no choice. Trying to saw it off with a piano wire might do damage to the peripheral area.... Good luck.

 

[Zoom767]

Thanks to All!,

I took all suggestions under consideration and decided to use my thought of applying pressure to the offending winch by tying a line to the top and joining that line to another winch where I could apply pressure. Then, using a rubber mallet, I pounded the offending winch while applying incremental pressure using my second winch.

The first scenario worked perfectly -- in that the offending winch slowly tilted under the pressure of being pulled by the line from the second winch, allowing me to hand-pry it off.

However -- and thank goodness I had allowed for it! -- for the next winch on the other side and using the same method -- it let go all at once under pressure and flew across the cockpit. Now that would have ruined my day if I was in its path!!

Again, thanks to all for the suggestions. No thanks will be proferred to the 'Mental Midget' who decided to putty the base to the boat when removal is required for servicing.

Btw, the gears and pawls were in desperate need of maintenance -- glad I went to the trouble to circumvent a potentially costly replacement down the road

Hopefully this post will help others in a similar situation,

Best Regards to All

 

[pipedream]

My boat teak toe rails and winches bonded w/5200, and started to leak. I wanted to remove both without injuring gelcoat by controlling the lifting forces.

I first wentaround edges with a trim knife and followed up with a putty knife, then switched to the plastic wedges I normally use for falling timber and cutting firewood. By gently starting the lift with the wedges I found it was possible to use the putty knife to loosen remaining stubborn areas without damaging the gelcoat.

Interestingly when I removed toe rails I found the 5200 bonded solidly to the teak and gelcoat, but not tothe bolts securing the deck to the hull. I reset the toe rails and winches with butyl, and passed through the last winter without leaks.

Good luck.

 

[justsomeguy]

Sounds like no destructive results were encountered. Well done.

 

[shemandr]

...it let go all at once under pressure and flew across the cockpit./QUOTE]
And it didn't go in the drink? Matey Murphy must have been sleeping one off!

 

[Zoom767]

On the hard with the framework and cover on