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The wind can put over a tonne of load on a sail, and that load needs controlling. Hence the two jib-sheet winches in the cockpit. They should turn easily with a satisfying click from the mechanism. Mine didn’t: the port one was stiff and silent, while the starboard one’s clicking wasn’t as crisp as it should be.
On 20 April 2024, I decided to service them. They’re Australian Barlow 22s. Unfortunately, the maker has closed, so spares are unavailable. After watching a video of the dismantling, it looked straightforward. But I got stuck at the first retaining screw: it turned with the winch. I found another video whose maker had the same problem. He put four turns of sheet round the drum to stop it rotating. That worked for me too.
Dismantling was simple. A full service could take ten to fifteen minutes. Not in my case.
First, the old grease had turned into modelling clay and clogged everything. My best idea was a flat screwdriver, vigorously scraping every flat surface.
Second, the roller bearings were stuck inside the drum. The rollers are metal, but their cage is plastic. I carefully tapped it out with a screwdriver, trying not to break it. I couldn’t remove all the old grease. Only afterwards did I remember a video by Evgenia Lyubimova where she soaked them in diesel.
Third, be extremely careful with the tiny pawl springs. They aren’t attached to anything. One slipped from my hand; thankfully, not far.
Reassembled, the winches clicked beautifully. From now on, I plan to service them every spring before launch. An hour for four winches, adding years to such important equipment.
#maintenance
On 20 April 2024, I decided to service them. They’re Australian Barlow 22s. Unfortunately, the maker has closed, so spares are unavailable. After watching a video of the dismantling, it looked straightforward. But I got stuck at the first retaining screw: it turned with the winch. I found another video whose maker had the same problem. He put four turns of sheet round the drum to stop it rotating. That worked for me too.
Dismantling was simple. A full service could take ten to fifteen minutes. Not in my case.
First, the old grease had turned into modelling clay and clogged everything. My best idea was a flat screwdriver, vigorously scraping every flat surface.
Second, the roller bearings were stuck inside the drum. The rollers are metal, but their cage is plastic. I carefully tapped it out with a screwdriver, trying not to break it. I couldn’t remove all the old grease. Only afterwards did I remember a video by Evgenia Lyubimova where she soaked them in diesel.
Third, be extremely careful with the tiny pawl springs. They aren’t attached to anything. One slipped from my hand; thankfully, not far.
Reassembled, the winches clicked beautifully. From now on, I plan to service them every spring before launch. An hour for four winches, adding years to such important equipment.
#maintenance
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