Winch grease

[Poignard]

Apart from the packaging, in what way does "winch grease" differ from the standard sorts of grease you could buy from somewhere like Halfords or an engineers' merchants? It can't be very economic to have a grease specially made, considering the small amount bought by yachtsmen.

 

[Norman_E]

Main visible difference seems to be price.
I used to see a grease sold as "Water Pump Grease" which was supposed to resist being washed off. I do not know if it is still available, but if so it is likely to be quite suitable for winches, because one of the main points about winch grease is its ability to withstand being washed away when you hose salt off your winches..
I now await the experts to tell me I am wrong.

 

[michael_w]

Don't buy the stuff. Grease is completely unnecessary for any winch, all it does is kuck things up; salt + grease+ heat = abrasive paste.

After you've dug all the goo out, clean and lubricate with diesel.

The diesel tip came from the bosun/BN on an IOR Maxi, who had literally dozens of winches to maintain.

 

[oldsaltoz]

How did they prevent the diesel running all over the deck during a hot sunny day?

Avagoodweekend......

 

[davidpbo]

I use silicone grease sparingly. Which reminds me !!!

 

[smth448]

Which sort of grease you use will depend on your type of winch. If you have an old traditional type with no plastic bits in it then you can use any old grease. If you have a modern winch with plastic bearing cages then any mineral oil or grease will attack the plastic with expensive consequenses. It may take a few years but you will end up with knackered winches. I always use a very light smear of silicone grease on all bearings. Too much and any sand and salt will just form a nice abrasive paste. Clean all the gunge out with an engine de-greaser like Jizer or parrafin. The plastic bits should stand that and then reassemble. Don't bother with the grease from Messrs Lewmar or Harken, just expensive forms of silicone grease.
Has anyone else noticed taht Harken winches have to be removed from the deck so they can be disassembled for servicing? Classic bit of design that.

 

[Pads38]

I got shown how "to do" a winch by a Harken bloke.

Apparently the idea of using no grease only oil is OK for race boats who service their winches every week but in normal use grease becomes required (the idea is that an oil only winch spins free-er).

Since then I've done dozens of Harken winches and never had to take one of the deck

Pads