Winch Troubles

[frogvalley]

I have been having trouble with the infernal winch on my 1978 V25. It is now in a keel up position and will not release. It is one of those "bump" to release/lower things and it is currently totally stuck. If I can get it loose I'll put a new standard cable winch in its place.Any thoughts?Mark

 

[Steve Paul]

Is the boat on a trailer?

If the boat is on a trailer can you loosen the bolts on the winch so you can ultimately release the cable pressure? Then you can move the lock toggle. Be careful of the ca ble pressure when you do this, it might move the winch body pretty quickly so stay out of the way or block it somehow.Steve P.

 

[Gary Cripps]

keel cable

If there is any slack in the keel cable or if the keel can be raised alittle I would put a jack under the keel and raise it an inch?? It will take the presure off the winch and then you could relese it?? I've got a winch I can part with also??

 

[Popeye18296]

stubborn winch

Frogvalley, Have a "25" and winch would not release(she had not been in the water for +/- 10 years).With winch handle off,sprayed visible shaft well with WD-40,allowed to soak? for a few hours,then ratcheted winch one notch then, released rapidly,(again&again).After a period of time the friction winch began to cooperate.A bit of sweat involved here,much perserverence.That is what worked for me.Now I am able to raise and lower keel.Next, will jack up forward end of keel to remove pressure from bolt and remove.Will let you know size and washers required.Plan to lower forward end of keel completely,then lower aft end with winch.If sucessful,will refinish(epoxy) keel.Best of luck. popeye

 

[frogvalley]

WD-40

Thanks all. Gonna try the WD-40 route first. These friction winches are troublesome at times. I plan to replace it with another type. No slack in cable at all right now, a friend helped me (ugh) and cranked it all the way up to the point of bowing the mount above the winch. I got a jack under the keel right now to take some of the pressure off, but it won't budge yet.Might have to cut the cable and remove the winch.

 

[Steve Paul]

Please know the weight

Remember this keel weighs in at about 600 lbs or more which is a lot of dead weight at even half of it.Steve P.

 

[Isnibs]

friction winches

will the friction winch work with a jack under the keel?

 

[vwjon]

fix it

I would loosen the winch mounting bolts to lessen the pressure and then cut the cable from under the boat. Replace winch and cable with the real stuff for less than $100. I would stay with a friction winch for safety reasons and use good stainless cable. The keel system is one of the few things that can go wrong with these boats. Fix it good the first time.

 

[ClownPilot]

Be careful amigo ...

The original friction winch relies upon friction surfaces to hold the position of the keel. Without that friction brake, the load could not be placed in any one position without tying-off the handle.The weight of the keel will easily de-spool the winch, making the handle a spinning weapon of torture if you get in the way.This can happen magically if you get WD40 on the wrong parts. So be very careful.Tom