regular winch servicing - advisable?

[lw395]

Yes, it's easy to do, although my last boat had a couple of three-speed Lewmars which were a little more subtle. But in a few cases, it seems to be done because it's on a list somewhere, rather than what most needs doing.
How many boats have clutches or blocks that are more in need of attention than the winches?
When was your masthead sheave last checked and lubricated?
All the snap shackles etc etc.

On most boats, there are an almost unlimited number of things requiring maintenance, I think it's better to sort the things that need sorting, even if that means a few tick-box service items get put back a little.

 

[Modulation]

Yes, it's easy to do, although my last boat had a couple of three-speed Lewmars which were a little more subtle. But in a few cases, it seems to be done because it's on a list somewhere, rather than what most needs doing.
How many boats have clutches or blocks that are more in need of attention than the winches?
When was your masthead sheave last checked and lubricated?
All the snap shackles etc etc.

On most boats, there are an almost unlimited number of things requiring maintenance, I think it's better to sort the things that need sorting, even if that means a few tick-box service items get put back a little.

I agree with that. We're not slaves to our boat. If something is working fine why undertake a task which is totally unnecessary. On any boat you will find a myriad of tasks which genuinely need to be done but aren't - just because they are not on some manufacturer's "essential to do" list.
Use your common sense - isn't that what boat ownership is all about? I do my winches when one of them is getting a bit sticky. Works fine for me.

 

[fuss]

Manufacturer (lewmar) say service your winches at least once a year maybe more.

Do you?

Good Idea.... I have Lewmar 65s

Oh... Lewmar does not longer stock replacement parts for these.

Oh well, never mind

 

[westhinder]

Use your common sense - isn't that what boat ownership is all about? I do my winches when one of them is getting a bit sticky. Works fine for me.

With the high loads on winches, I prefer to service them before a problem arises.
So, yes, every year before she goes back in the water.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Please note!

If you are ever unfortunate enough to witness the damage that a winch that fails under load can do to fingers and arms, I promise you that you will start to service your Genoa winches religiously ever after!

Normal service only involves lifting the drum off of the central column, cleaning the roller bearings in a bowl of diesel, drying off and replacing after greasing very sparingly. Ten minutes if you work very slowly. Most problems arise from applying too much grease and leaving it there for years. It goes practically solid with age and the accumulated grime and the pawls cease to function properly. On my smaller winches (Barient 20) I am running an experiment using silicon spray instead of grease. No problems so far and soon the big ones will start receiving the same treatment.

 

[dutyhog]

I did ours a couple of years ago, after ignoring them since 1997. They were clean and greasy inside, worked freely, and didn't seem to really need anything done. All the same I stripped and cleaned and re-greased everything. It hasn't made any difference, so I doubt if I'll bother again. There are plenty more things that need doing instead.

 

[PeterR]

There seem to be a lot of brave people servicing their winches whilst afloat. Personally, I'm too frightened of dropping something overboard.

 

[dslittle]

About oncer per year, usually sitting at anchor somewhere waiting on weather.
Does not take very long, (unless you drop something)

Did mine whilst I was out this year. Nearly put it off until I was back in the water. Dropped ONE bolt and watched it bounce over the side. Sighed, went down ladder and picked it up. Thought to myself, I'm glad I did it now...

 

[Talulah]

If you are ever unfortunate enough to witness the damage that a winch that fails under load can do to fingers and arms, I promise you that you will start to service your Genoa winches religiously ever after!

See my post #17. Servicing very nearly created the problem. Not prevented it.

Actually, I've never been impressed with Lewmar winches since. The fact that it was possible to reverse the paws shows poor design. I always thought to myself since that had it been a Japanese winch it would never be possible.

 

[Stu Jackson]

There seem to be a lot of brave people servicing their winches whilst afloat. Personally, I'm too frightened of dropping something overboard.

This concern is expressed all over in boating forums.

Most answers are to get a box, cut a hole in the middle and put it around the winch.

I simply use a few towels so stuff doesn't BOUNCE.

Doing something will almost assure that nothing gets loose. Doing nothing almost assures that something WILL get loose.

 

[lw395]

If you are ever unfortunate enough to witness the damage that a winch that fails under load can do to fingers and arms, I promise you that you will start to service your Genoa winches religiously ever after!

.......

That's equally true of turning blocks, shackles, sheets....

 

[lw395]

.... On my smaller winches (Barient 20) I am running an experiment using silicon spray instead of grease. No problems so far and soon the big ones will start receiving the same treatment.

So nothing like servicing according to manufacturer's instructions then?
Why do they specify grease if a squirt of silicone will do?

 

[Wunja]

For me servicing is based on a risk assessment.
If I don't service them, they will wear and need to be replaced in, say ten years. If I service them and a pawl or spring pings over the side, I will need to buy a new winch - no spares available. With my butter fingers this is higher than one in ten probability!
Consequently I service them when they start to get a little sticky.

 

[alant]

Manufacturer (lewmar) say service your winches at least once a year maybe more.

Do you?

On a school boat, just putting in a tack to port, whilst off Calshot & heading for the beach en-route to the IoW, when the starboard winch drum came adrift, together with the bits underneath. Tacked & found all bits before they vanished overboard, which were reassemble in the dark when alongside at Cowes.
Phew!

Make sure all is properly secured after servicing!

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

So nothing like servicing according to manufacturer's instructions then?
Why do they specify grease if a squirt of silicone will do?

Barient are long gone and I have no idea of what they recommended. The winches that I have were original with the boat that dates back to 1973. I doubt that there was silicone aerosol at that time. Did they specify a particular type of grease?