mounting a winch on the mast

soulesailor · #1 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008

I want to add a second winch to my mast to assist hoisting the mainsail. I have the winch already, I just can't seem to find anyone who sells the mounting plate. Anyone know where to buy these?

And a related question: is there a reason why boats with two winches on the mast always have them mounted directly across from each other?

As always, thanks in advance for your help.

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008

It might help if you said what kind of winch you were trying to mount. Also, mounting plates or bases can be made up out of Teak, thickened epoxy, fiberglass, aluminum, etc.

The reason most winches are probably mounted across from each other is that winches need to be a good working height. There's only a fairly limited range of heights a winch will be easily operable at.

soulesailor · #3 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008

The mount I have on the jib side is aluminum. It has a flat face for the winch to mount to and bent side flanges which compensate for the curve of the mast and are where I would drill through for the mounting. I believe it's original.

The winches are not big, maybe four inches across at the bottom. I'm not sure what type they are, they came with the boat. They have a little symbol that looks like a pitchfork inside a circle. I took them apart, cleaned them and repacked them with new grease and they seem like they'll be fine.

That makes sense about the working height for the mounting.

Harryeod · #4 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008

Both my mainsail and head sail winches are mounted on the mast, directly across from each other. SD is correct, the winches are mounted at the height that an average size person can operate them and not have to bend over or stretch to reach them.

Both winches have teak pads that were fabricated by Freyja Boatworks in Port Townsend.

Islander30Bahama · #5 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008

How big or what kind of boat? If its a small boat and you're haveing trouble getting the main up you should look at the whole system. If adding the winch is because the sail is big and heavy thats one thing. If using a winch because its tough for the sail to go up then you really need to look at the mast track cause adding a winch could just give you enough umph to damage your sail. A winch on a small boat really only needs to be used the last couple of inches. Maybe new main sheet plugs and cleaning the track could make a huge difference. I saw a guy tear up the head of his main sail from adding a winch. Hope this helps.

If you were to have a roller furling. Then just run your main halyard aft so you can avoid going to the cabin top all together.

brak · #6 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008

i have similar winch bases on my mast. it really looks like these things are custom made - I haven't seen them sold anywhere (and, considering different mast shapes, they can't be very universal). so -machine shop, the usual answer (though I know that doesn't always help).

knothead · #7 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008

If you could identify the spar manufacturer, they may still be in business and have the bases available.
If you can't get a base and have to fabricate something, you may consider removing the winch that is installed and having the base duplicated by a good machine shop.
That way they will match and you can check the fasteners on the one you have now.

I'm pretty sure that Selden and others make winch bases that may be suitable for your stick.

Steve

knothead · #8 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulesailor

I took them apart, cleaned them and repacked them with new grease and they seem like they'll be fine.

Grease is good for gears but you may want to use a heavy oil for the bearings, springs and pawls. Some grease has a tendency to stiffen and after some time might cause the pawls to stick.

Rockter · #9 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008

I have found that gear oil is fairly good. SAE 80 or 90 gear oil serves me well. It does penetrate better than grease, but it tends to run off a bit easier. You can't have everything.

Still, once a season doesn't hurt much. Just take the circlip off and squirt a bit in there over the vital meshing surfaces and splines.

Gear oil has additives, principally sulphur (hence the yellow colour and oudour) that are designed to adhere to the gear surfaces and so not to be so easily displaced. I understand that it is "anti-crash" additive. It is a superb gearbox lubricant in oil bath form, but applied fairly regularly to the winch mechanism, it will do fine.

Winch lubrication is one of the more pleasant tasks, in the sun, with your wee gear oil can. I have 7 of them to do. They are 31 years old, and working ok.
.

sailingdog · #10 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008

Don't use GREASE or HEAVY OIL on the pawls and springs. These are usually supposed to be oiled with a very light oil, so that they don't get gummed up and start to stick.