What grease?

[brians]

What is the best grease to use for winches and self furling gear? The manufacturers, Harken & Selden, seem to offer special grease at a special price! Is it really necessary?

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Most important is to get water proof grease, general motor factor grease is not, I would have thought general marine quality grease should suffice, but you might invalidate warranty on your winches if you do not follow the manufacturers recommendation.

Julian

http://www.ukstaffords.com

 

[samwise]

Are you sure the furling gear needs grease? Most of the kit has Delrin bearings or similar which should only need a sluice with fresh water to get the salt out.

On winch overhaul, I have found the spray grease produced by Plastimo for winches to be very effective and easy to apply. You don't need to use much of it anyway. THe Harken and Lewmar stuff is an arm and a leg and unless you are doing the Southern Ocean this year, I don't think it's worth it!

 

[toad]

Do a search on winches there was quite a discussion last year on this subject. Most grease was thought to jam the ratchets and diesel oil seemed to be recommended for both cleaning and lubrication.

 

[LadyInBed]

I use a 3:1 mix of engine oil to petrol and apply it with a paint brush.

 

[vyv_cox]

Lewmar winch grease looks very much like silicone stop-cock grease to me. That's what I have used for years.

 

[vyv_cox]

P.S.

I should have added that a mineral grease will oxidise in service and it is this process that jams the ratchets. A silicone grease will remain in undegraded condition for many years.