Girdlestone Winches

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johnjfrake

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Calanda's Genoa Winches are Girdlestone 16 two speeds. They are stiff and obviously in need of a service so I have started the work. Surfing the web I found Geoff Rich's site on the no. 8 single speed but the construction seems v different, the cams are at the top not the bottom.

Having got the top cover and outer casing off I now want to remove the central shaft so I can give the nylon bearing a good clean and lube with silicone but cannot see how to do it. careful inspection of both ends reveals no obvious place to screw, press or whack with a BGH. Does anyone know the mysterious secret of removing the central shaft/nylon bearing please? equally important will they reveal it to me??

The Winch was full of grease (unkown type composition) I have given it a serious wash/scrub in a heavy fairy liquid solution and most of it has gone but woulf prefer to be sure the nylon bearing is totally clean and properly lubricated before refitting it!
 
johnjfrake said:
Calanda's Genoa Winches are Girdlestone 16 two speeds. They are stiff and obviously in need of a service so I have started the work. Surfing the web I found Geoff Rich's site on the no. 8 single speed but the construction seems v different, the cams are at the top not the bottom.

Having got the top cover and outer casing off I now want to remove the central shaft so I can give the nylon bearing a good clean and lube with silicone but cannot see how to do it. careful inspection of both ends reveals no obvious place to screw, press or whack with a BGH. Does anyone know the mysterious secret of removing the central shaft/nylon bearing please? equally important will they reveal it to me??

The Winch was full of grease (unkown type composition) I have given it a serious wash/scrub in a heavy fairy liquid solution and most of it has gone but woulf prefer to be sure the nylon bearing is totally clean and properly lubricated before refitting it!
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the winches were make in Melton Suffolk in the 80s, the pr we had broke :eek:.
i would guess the spindle might be part of the injection moulding
 
You want to be careful what you lube plastic bearings with. The old bottom
lever Gibb winches have a plastic bearing in that swells up and causes the drum to become very stiff or even to seize if mineral oil is used.
 
KenMcCulloch said:
You want to be careful what you lube plastic bearings with. The old bottom
lever Gibb winches have a plastic bearing in that swells up and causes the drum to become very stiff or even to seize if mineral oil is used.
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these were injection moulded drums with nylon (possibly ) roller cages.
it was a long time ago so cant remember :o
 
I suspect what you are all saying is that I have to fork out for a new set of winches "*%$£@@@ it". The damage of mis-lubrication has already been done, they were full of grease everywhere cams, roller cage cogs, you name it there was grease on it or in it!
 
johnjfrake said:
I suspect what you are all saying is that I have to fork out for a new set of winches "*%$£@@@ it". The damage of mis-lubrication has already been done, they were full of grease everywhere cams, roller cage cogs, you name it there was grease on it or in it!
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try Alan Beal of Heron Yacht Services
07836545509
he often has good prices & based in Brightlingsea Essex
Punt the old one out on eBay :)
 
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Gave Alan a call and sadly his source for winches has dried up. so am currently sweating on Lemar v Harken v Barton and to self tail or not to self tail!
 
Gael force are doing a good price on the Barton Nautilis 23:1. I currently have 16s on the main and genoa but the later is the much smaller sail (fractionally rigged. I could buy a set of 23:1 and use them on the Main and the existing 16s on the Genoa!
 
Good news

All my cleaning paid off and I found a screw in the centre of the main shaft not previously visible. The whole thing can now be dis-assembled and assembled easily enough. Does anyone know of the best cleaning material to get the old grease out, I gather parrafin etc is not recommended for nylon bearings??
 
sailorman said:
Result then :D
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Yes and not an expensive one for once, final cleaning with Gunk, apply silicon lubricant and hopefull it will be wonderfful. Already rotates in both directions and cams working.

Do you think it would be worthwhile to publish a few photos of the thing on this forum? Are there many of them about?
 
johnjfrake said:
Yes and not an expensive one for once, final cleaning with Gunk, apply silicon lubricant and hopefull it will be wonderfful. Already rotates in both directions and cams working.

Do you think it would be worthwhile to publish a few photos of the thing on this forum? Are there many of them about?
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they were launched as a sort of side line by the parent Co Girdlestone Pumps, cheaper than the likes of Gibb,Lewmar but not as robust. i would suggest yours have done well to last this long.
photos might well help others, i do harvest useful stuff & keep in my boaty archive
 
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