Time to service the winches, well overdue in fact. Started with starboard sheet winch. Stiff. And sadly, there is a crack in the main shaft.

No luck with hunt for replacement shaft or 2nd hand winch. So onto looking at what a new one would cost. Old pair was 2nd hand, un-used, bought for $1100 and installed 29 years ago.

Replace in kind is $2600 usd EACH. But ... wait ... West Marine just started a sale today... BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE. We both had to re-read the ad several times. We then rushed down to the store and placed an order.

Sold the old pair for $200, cheap winch even if used for parts. A Lewmar service kit of springs and paws is about $50usd.

What you need:
1. about an hour per winch, more if you delayed > 1 year
2. flat head screw driver
3. cleaning rags, paper towels, ear swabs, bamboo skewers and old tooth brush
4. white spirit to clean old grease, small container for bath
5. penetrating oil (may not need, if you are lucky) to help un-seize parts
6. machine oil to lube paws and springs
7. white lithium grease and brush to lube gears and bearings
8. small container for loose bolts, etc.
9. space to line up parts in order of breakdown.
10. service kit at least paws and springs
11. way to take digital photos before each step of breakdown to remind yourself of order and position (e.g. which is right side up) of pieces.
12. drop cloth to protect deck and have a clean area


Additional for the Lewmars
1. allen keys 3/16 and 1/4

Additional for Harkens
1. allen keys
2. heavy grease or corrosion protection; our mast winches are mounted on a aluminum pad with ss machine screws

Tips
1. note order pieces as you broken down.
2. do a winch in one go and one at a time.
3. line up broken down or cleaned pieces in order
4. clean as you break down then re-assemble and lube, particularly the paws and springs before breaking down more.