Both sheet winches aboard Whimbrel were opened out, cleaned and re-greased earlier in the year. I found a couple of the springs to be worn and replaced from spares obtained from Barton years ago.
That was when trying to obtain a set of pawls! Barton had stopped manufacture of the bottom action winches, but I was sent a clutch of springs ‘found in a drawer’ by a chap who responded to my enquiry!
So, I made up two sets of pawls – 4 – one set to use and a spare set.
During the season, the retaining screw on my port winch came loose whilst tacking into the Medway and West Swale. The winch jammed as we were making the last tack. Sails were doused and we motored the short distance to a mooring where the fault was rectified!
Later, the starboard winch jammed. Taking it apart I found one of the pawls and its spring had failed. My spare set was fitted…
The mate and I decided that, with the general wear of the shafts, it was time for new winches…
Barton winches were chosen and ordered with a set of ‘floating’ handles!
The new winches are held together by a spring clip on the top which is easy to remove but more fiddly to fit. When removed the barrel and roller nit lifts off.
The winches came with a backing plate for securing through a substrate of fibre glass for example. I used these to act as pads which lifts the winch clear of seating chock varnish work.
All that was needed after fitting was a sea test.
The ‘boy’ came out for a sail with his ol’ dad and I had a bit of a play whilst the boat was tacked about…
Two turns on the barrel did not cause jamming or over ride.
As the winches are not handed, the sheet tails come off on the barrel’s outside to starboard and inside to port.
Operationally, it did not seem to matter a great deal, unlike running sheet onto the port barrel, as the boy found out … commenting, ‘forty years of practice out the window…!’
I too had a ‘moment’ when reaching for the handle of a bottom action winch to tweak a sheet…
We’ll all get used to the change in time!
The winches have an optional self tailing device if desired. I’ve not gone for these.
The roller cleats need renewal too, however, with similar or traditional clam cleats as my neighbour’s Finesse 24 (Gypsy) has, I have yet to decide…