The Best and Cheapest Winch Grease

[langstonelayabout]

Hi everyone - I am looking for the best (and cheapest) grease to use on my cockpit winches.

I've previously used others (various automotive grades from light to medium, and also the white stuff that is supposedly waterproof) that seem to have become stodgy during the season, making the genoa even more challenging to winch in on a windy day.

Are there any suitable, low friction and long lasting greases available on the market please? (Ideally really cheap too!)

Many thanks

 

[wonkywinch]

Why cheap? The time it takes to do the job, it's worth extending the time it takes to do it over again. I use this. A tube will see me out.

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-77372-...-calcium-complex-extreme-pressure-grease.aspx

 

[thinwater]

Why cheap? The time it takes to do the job, it's worth extending the time it takes to do it over again. I use this. A tube will see me out.

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-77372-...-calcium-complex-extreme-pressure-grease.aspx

a. It really does not take much. A container will likely last your career. You don't pack winches, just a light/moderate film. Too much and it gets on the pawls, causing them to stick, which is very bad (oil on pawls) and the excess just makes them harder to clean. Very different from wheel bearings.

b. Practical Sailor did a test/survey of both industrial/vehicle and winch greases. The bottom line seems to be that synthetic grease better withstands oxidation and thickening (no surprise), Lewmar is excellent, and that Green Grease (a specific US brand) offered the best corrosion resistance. I've been using Green Grease and Lewmar for decades, on winches and for general lubrication. Electrical contacts and anti-seize are different.

 

[Dockhead]

I will join the chorus against cheaping out on the grease for your winches.

One tube of the actual official Lewmar grease has lasted me for more than 10 years. The cost per tube is pretty irrelevant, and the unhappiness which will result from the wrong consistency or formulation, can be very great.

 

[phlip]

I wrote this earlier, but failed to post…

We have six harkens and a tube of their stuff lasts at least three seasons (annual servicing, though we do keep the ones not under the spray hood covered when not in use).
You would have to discount the value of your time to almost nothing before the grease cost became significant.
Remember not to use grease on the pawls: they need something much less viscous if you don’t want a nasty malfunction.
Switching from diesel to paraffin, using a paint brush to get the old grease off and using a couple of roller painting trays instead of a bowl has changed my life. Winches are still among the least fun maintenance tasks for me, but no longer the clear winner.

 

[Zing]

Don’t forget, the pawls don’t want grease, just a light oil.

 

[jwilson]

I'm on the same tube of Harken grease that came with the boat 18 years ago. 3 winches, not done every year but maybe every 2-3 years. To service recent Harken 32 and 40 winches properly you have to remove them from the deck. easy enough for the two sheet winches, but to get off the coachroof winchj you have to dismantle a lot of the furniture and headlining/lights in the heads to get at the bolts.

 

[johnalison]

The amount of grease needed is just what you can brush on lightly. In fact, I was given a small brush for this usage in some kit we got from a Lewmar rep after a demonstration. Working winches go with sails, halyards and engine as the most critical parts of a boat, and no economy is needed.

 

[Bobc]

Silicone grease for the bearings and silicone spray for the pawls.

 

[Malish]

small amount of Blakes seacock grease on the bearings (I already have it) small spot of '3 in 1' light oil on the pawls