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The winch, the number in Spanish is winche and the number in French is treuil. Should not be confused with the windlass, although they have certain similarities in their use. It is a mechanical device on a boat designed to haul, release, and adjust the tension of a rope or cable, thus replacing the effort and manual labor previously performed by the crew. Its pulley system is used for handling the main halyards, sails, and sheets of the vessel.
It is a relatively new product, but most sailors on sailboats are already familiar with it and accustomed to using it.
What types of winches are there?
There are different types of winches available in the current market, from basic winches that cover the main needs in navigation to self-tailing, hydraulic, and electric winches.
Typically, high-performance winches are found on sailboats and racing boats, but they all come from the same basic concept.
We can categorize winches based on their mode of operation, i.e., Mechanical, electric, or hydraulic. Therefore, winches are distinguished based on how they generate energy to operate their gears, bearings, and other systems.
Mechanical Winches
They generate power through systems like hand cranks.
Electric Winches
Their operation relies on an alternator that produces a power source and the boat's battery, which stores and supplies it when needed. These winches are the most popular.
Hydraulic Winches
They generate power through hydraulic pressure produced by the steering pump.
How to maintain a winch?
Winches are cost-effective devices that offer great services on a boat in exchange for simple maintenance and long-term durability.
This maintenance essentially involves:
Paying attention to the assembly and disassembly, memorizing positions and order to assemble and disassemble it without any issues (if you're afraid you won't remember the steps, you can rely on photos or videos), and making sure that no parts fall into the sea.
It is also advisable to thoroughly inspect the condition of the winches at the beginning and end of each racing season or sailing season to ensure their strength and power. They should be cleaned, lubricated, and checked every 12 months.
Finally, after finishing sailing and being moored in the harbor, you can rinse the winch with fresh water to clean off possible salt deposits.
What steps should we follow for winch maintenance and repair?
- Remove the top ring.
- Carefully remove the drum from the bearings and small parts.
- Extract the bearings.
- Remove the bronze pinions.
- Clean the parts, especially the pawls, which should be free of grease and dirt. Also, make sure that the small metal piece that acts as a spring is functioning. While it is not strictly necessary to replace them every year, doing so every few years is highly recommended.
- Replace the bronze pinions, apply marine grease, which is somewhat thick, to prevent corrosion and facilitate smooth engagement.
- Place the bearings on the shaft. Afterward, apply a mixture of oil and grease.
- Put the drum back on and close the winch.
Normally, you should notice a different sound and smoother movement when turning.
Another detail to consider for winch maintenance is never to use grease to lubricate the safety pawls, as they could become obstructed or held in the wrong position. Instead, always use oil.
Finally, if you have any doubts, it's worth noting that many winches come installed in boats in duplicate. This way, you can determine the correct position of any part of the winch simply by paying attention to the non-disassembled one.
Electric Winches
Regardless of whether the navigation is short or long-distance, you can equip your boat with an electric winch to simplify sailing.
An electric winch allows you to work with them effortlessly in case of injury, for example, when lifting outboard motors using a halyard or davit, or to always have an extra handle in case of loss.
The electric winch consists of a cableless electric handle with a torque of 130 NM and a Li-ion battery. It has bidirectional and variable speed.
In no case should it be suitable for hoisting people.
Some of the best winch brands
If you're looking for a winch, click here to see the ones we have at Mercanautic.