Winches for Traveler Rebedding Project
The traveler is moved with two small winches which are mounted on the cockpit coaming. These are on the boarder between the aft stateroom and the head on the port side and the galley on the starboard side. There is no indication of any leaks on these two winches. The original backing plate looks like it may still be in place which suggests that the winch itself may have not been pulled up for the deck painting so I will have to be careful pulling the winch off the deck. The backing plate will have to be remade as the original appears to be made with plane steel and then lightly coated with gelcoat, the steel is lightly corroded, additionally the backing plate is square rather than round which could cause some minor stress risers on the underside of the deck. The plan is to make a new round backing plate out of aluminum plate and replace the bolts through the deck. During this process the winch will be inspected, rebuilt and regreased as part of the rework process. Parts from McMaster Carr      M6x45mm stainless (8-18) bolts countersunk, philips (5 per winch) Parts on hand      3/16" 6061-T6 aluminum plate leftover from the window project on the Cruising CAL 35  December 6, 20009 - Pulled up both of the Lewmar 16 self tailing winches. Dissassembed both winches and about half way through the cleanup of one of the winches. Using "Carbarator Cleaner" which seems to be doing a nice job of cutting through the grease. The bolts holding down the winch appear to be the same as used for the toe rail, since I have extra bolts that will not require new parts. The deck through which these two winches go is solid so there is not a drill and fill project. Need to determine if I plan to have the drums recromed or replaced. Will research the cost of recroming.