Brake washer

Posted By: JoeGustoCM21/#161
Date: 4/22/08 9:49a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Rubber washer on Winch (Nathan Chase)

Inside the wench is a rubber washer. It keeps the keel from going down on its own. When using the wench it "clicks up" but you kinda force it back against that washer. One april a few years back I was on the first sail of the year and was putting the keel down out of dock and it broke,(wore out) the keel suddenly had now restraint and the handle of the wench spun violently back out of and back into my hand braking two fingers and two bones in my hand. I replaced it with a standard trailor wench, but don't recomend this as there is now no brake and I risk the same violent release all the time. Back a few weeks ago in the arcives of this sight we had a descustion about it and someone gave good advice as to where to get a fresh replacement. I've also had trouble with the wire cutting through the pully that works the wench back up. I had to rig something to work several times now. Check the whole set up out from wench to keel and make sure it's sound. It will save you a lot of hardship like a broking hand or having your keel stuck in the mud. let me know what you find. I'll be in the chat room wendsday night at 8:00 central. good luck