How often do you service your winches?

[johnalison]

I do a moderate service every spring, ie strip, wipe round and re-grease plus a drop of oil on the pawls, and a full clean-up every few years. This is for an average of 2,000 miles/yr.

This once stood me in good stead when we did a regatta in Germany and in one of the evening competitions we had to strip and reassemble a Lewmar 43ST against the clock, for points to be added to the racing results. Half the competitors had never done it before.

 

[dunedin]

Never done so in 6 years, so far no noticeable change in effectiveness - but did buy some of the stuff and considering taking a peek in one of them

 

[mjcoon]

This once stood me in good stead when we did a regatta in Germany and in one of the evening competitions we had to strip and reassemble a Lewmar 43ST against the clock, for points to be added to the racing results. Half the competitors had never done it before.

How many points deducted if the task was not completed?!

Mike.

 

[lustyd]

I've done it once, and that was sufficient for me to realise than mine don't need servicing - I put enough grease inside to keep them moist and that's them done until I sell the boat or until I get bored and have grease near enough that it's no effort

Before anyone says it - you've not seen the inside of my winches so don't tell me not to grease them

 

[oldbilbo]

How often? Oh, about every 10 years or so, whether they need them or not....

 

[sailorman]

after 2 yrs use, i done 10 winches & i windlass last week end & feel much better for it

 

[Danny Jo]

When I've said "Sheesh, this winch is stiff, really must sort it" about a dozen times, and there's no wind, or I'm waiting for crew to arrive.

 

[Sgeir]

How often do you service your wenches?

Kind of sexist title to this thread, imho.

And a bit personal, too, I might add.

 

[Jamesuk]

Like all things maintenance depends on how often they are used,

As far as winches on a normal cruising boat i disagree. If you use them they break, if you dont they still break.

I do all 10 winches every 6 months. Thats new grease service not "ahh a bit of oil on top of the old will do fine". And i visual inspect them every 3. A friend did his every day on a racing boat OTT.