78 c&c 29

[rox33861]

long time reader, first post. i have a 1978 C&C 29, pulled the primary winches and halyard clutches off to find washerers between the device and the deck and of course under the deck. wonder what the purpose would be? This is my 8th sailboat in 30 years and have not seen this before.
also bought a spare Yanmar 2QM15, jsut incase! what would you suggest for storage?
thanks

[jackdale]

I would expect that washers would spread the load.

[SchockT]

I don't know why there would be washers between the winch base and the deck. If anything you would think that would spread the load less than if the winch base was flush to the deck. Washers would act as stand-offs allowing water and grime to get under the winch bases.

were there any sealants under the hardware? What is the condition of the bolt holes? Is the core rotten? Have they been leaking?

Putting washers between the hardware and the surface it is bedded to doesn't make sense to me.

[rox33861]

the bedding was good, no rot. and yes there was grime under the winches. kinda puzzling.
not sure what to do when i re-install? if it were just the winches, but the rope clutches also. maybe something to sitting on the non-skid.

[SchockT]

Check out the thread called "Bedding Deck Hardware with Butyl Tape". The consensus is that is one of the best techniques. Unless there is something peculiar about your deck hardware I would suggest you leave out the washers between the hardware and the deck. (Of course you still want washers on the under side of the deck!) I can see no benefit to creating a gap under the hardware where moisture, salt and grime can accumulate.

[MarkSF]

My understanding is that water can get into the winch from the top, so a drain path is needed. On the last winch I installed, this was in the form of slot cut into the winch base. The washers may be someones way of making sure the winch drained well.

[chef2sail]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

My understanding is that water can get into the winch from the top, so a drain path is needed. On the last winch I installed, this was in the form of slot cut into the winch base. The washers may be someones way of making sure the winch drained well.

Thats right. Our winches and were originally bedded the same way as the OP...must have been C&Cs way of doing it. When I rebedded i replaced the inside washers with a SS plate to spread the load even further. I left the washers on the topside in as I was told it let the Barient winches I have drain.

[SchockT]

My Lewmars and the Andersens I replaced them with both had allowance made for drainage. The lewmars have slots in the base, and the Andersen bases are open on one side. I suppose if the his winches don't have drainage that could explain the washers. What about the rope clutches? They had washers under them to! Maybe it is a C&C thing!

[rox33861]

now this all makes sense. I'll leave the washers.
thanks

[chef2sail]

Originally Posted by SchockT

My Lewmars and the Andersens I replaced them with both had allowance made for drainage. The lewmars have slots in the base, and the Andersen bases are open on one side. I suppose if the his winches don't have drainage that could explain the washers. What about the rope clutches? They had washers under them to! Maybe it is a C&C thing!

My clutches didnt have washers except under the coach roof. I am replacing my originals this with Garhauers which I got for a song at the Annapolis boat show.