Gibb 16 RA Two Speed Winch

[Praxinoscope]

Has anyone ever dismantled a Gibb 16RA Sheet winches? My new boat, a Sadler 25 (1980) has these winches and I have never seen such a complicated construction, beautifully made but way over engineered. The drum is easily removed in the usual way by removing the the spring clip, but then it all gets complicated, there is a stainless steel rod which passes through the central drive column, this rod is obviously not a removable item, but it prevents the removal of the needle bearings and access to the lower parts of the winch. I’m hoping I don’t have to take the winches off the boat completely to complete a full service but I’m thinking maybe this is the only option. Please has anyone any ideas?

Thanks

 

[duncan99210]

Never dismantled a Gibb winch but I've got two different sizes of Haarken winches on board. The larger ones have lift out pins to remove all the gears and pawls for servicing whilst the base remains fixed to the boat. The smaller ones have to be removed to enable you to invert the winch and remove some of the workings.
However, were the winches working OK before you started to strip them? If they were, you may well find that a simple cleaning of the internals with white spirit or paraffin before re-lubricating them will be all that is needed, rather than completely stripping them. If you can do that, then you won't need to go to the hassle of removing the base.
Oh, and welcome to the forum.

 

[Praxinoscope]

Never dismantled a Gibb winch but I've got two different sizes of Haarken winches on board. The larger ones have lift out pins to remove all the gears and pawls for servicing whilst the base remains fixed to the boat. The smaller ones have to be removed to enable you to invert the winch and remove some of the workings.
However, were the winches working OK before you started to strip them? If they were, you may well find that a simple cleaning of the internals with white spirit or paraffin before re-lubricating them will be all that is needed, rather than completely stripping them. If you can do that, then you won't need to go to the hassle of removing the base.
Oh, and welcome to the forum.

 

[Praxinoscope]

Hi Duncan

Thanks for your reply. The winches are working, but need degreasing, so I can wash them top down, but I would like to dismantle so I can check all components for wear and give them a thorough clean. This is the first time in 40 years of sailing that I have failed to dismantle a winch so you can imagine my frustration. I have a horrible feeling that in the end I will have to remove the winches and work bottom up. Maybe this is why there don’t seem to be many of these winches around.
Thanks for the greeting to the forum. If I ever find the answer I’ll let you know.

All the the best

john

 

[ghostlymoron]

I had a pair of Gibb ST25s on my Mirage. They required complete removal to access the bottom pinions which took me ages until I discovered that if I removed the adjacent cave lockers it was easy. So it wouldn't surprise me if they have to be removed for a full strip down.

 

[Praxinoscope]

Hi Ghostlymoon

Thanks for your reply, it does look that for a full strip down I will have to remove the winches completely.

All the best

John

 

[neil_s]

I have a pair of 28RA's. I think you'll find that the horizontal s/s rod is removable. A portion of the rod is knurled to hold it in place in the central tubular pillar - check which side has the knurling and tap it gently on the other end and it will slide out.

 

[Praxinoscope]

Hi Neil

Thanks, I hesitated trying to move the bar as the knurling suggested to me that it was to make it permanent, but great, I’ll follow your suggestion. I’ll let you know what happens.

All the best

John