It sounds like the central shaft has come free of the base, since he says the bottom flange is attached to the coaming. It is probably missing the key that locks the shaft to the base... the white piece in TB's photos above IIRC. Sounds like the PO lost them when re-assembling or servicing the
winches and neglected to mention that to the new owner...
__________________
Sailingdog
Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
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