Winch backing plates

Paul_G

Paul_G

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I am in the process of fitting two additional winches to my Westerly 33. There are moulded pads for them but there is no reinforcement below the deck moulding.

The winches are Lewmar 44 self tailers (bargain from Ebay). The deck thickess is 20mm, and I plan on putting a ply panel underneath to spread the load.

My question is what thickness of ply should I use or do you have any better suggestions.

Thanks

Paul
 
Paul_G said:
I am in the process of fitting two additional winches to my Westerly 33. There are moulded pads for them but there is no reinforcement below the deck moulding.

The winches are Lewmar 44 self tailers (bargain from Ebay). The deck thickess is 20mm, and I plan on putting a ply panel underneath to spread the load.

My question is what thickness of ply should I use or do you have any better suggestions.

Thanks

Paul
Click to expand...

i am sure there will be ply bonded between the deck laminate.
you can tell by drilling a small hole( the new winches will almost certainly req different Ctr holes )
this being so just s/s plate or large washers to the underside
 
I know on a coaming it is very unlikely, but when you drill the holes just make absolutely sure the core is not end grain balsa.
 
sailorman said:
i am sure there will be ply bonded between the deck laminate.
you can tell by drilling a small hole( the new winches will almost certainly req different Ctr holes )
this being so just s/s plate or large washers to the underside
Click to expand...

Make sure it is ply not balsa core.


Edit: When posting read all the posts first. Sorry Quandary. Is this a Lakesailor?
 
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Shaun

ShaunG said:
Hi Paul,

7mm Aluminium plates bedded on epoxy to help spread the load. I have some knocking about in the shed if you want it at the weekend
Click to expand...

Thank you, that sounds great.

BTW I have some photos of your boat covered in snow if you want them

Paul
 
If it is cored with either ply or balsa overdrill the holes through the top skin and the core. Tape the bottom and fill the holes with thickened epoxy and let set hard. Then drill the proper holes. This will avoid water in the core that will lead to rot eventually. Sheet winches take a large load so an aluminum plate as large as the winch base if possible is a good idea bedded in thickened epoxy.
 
I just removed a winch today from my Westerly Renown. I wish I had paid more attention to the holes to see what the thickness of the laminate was but it was solid laminate as far as I could see with no ply core. I have just measured the bolts on the winch and estimate (allowing for the length of thread beyond the nut) that the laminate is only about 9mm thick. These winches have been on for 35 years and I have never had any concerns about their mounting. And for some reason there were only 5 of the 6 bolts (there are 6 holes in the winch base) present. There has never been a sixth bolt as there is no hole for it in the moulding!

By the way, I have been looking for new winches on ebay but did not spot those. As we get older we feel like taking it a bit easier with larger power (the existing ones are 25s) and self tailing. These 44 STs would have been ideal!

Nyarghh! I was looking at the spec for 40STs and it says there are only 5 bolts. Now I looked at mine and there are only 5 holes in the base plate! I was SURE I saw 6 when I took it off. And I was trying to persuade MOH that we really needed new ones because the old ones had bolts missing.
 
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Not quite a year ago, we helped fit a pair of winches to the coachroof of a Rival 34. Aware that winches occasionally are put to loads very considerably above what their original purpose suggests - in taking the principle loads when on tow by a lifeboat/fishing vessel, or when towing another, or when warps are streamed - we used a perforated alloy plate under each and lots of 'epoxy bog', to spread not only the main load, but the laminate-crushing 'compression' that would ensue, were only bolts and washers used.

There's nothing to be gained by going minimal.
 
Thank you

For all the responses. Just got to get them fitted now!

" By the way, I have been looking for new winches on ebay but did not spot those. As we get older we feel like taking it a bit easier with larger power (the existing ones are 25s) and self tailing. These 44 STs would have been ideal!"


I looked for 9 months or so. Pairs do not come up very often, it may have been better and cheaper to bid on singles.
 
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