Advantages to 'winch covers'?

[mikeg]

Hey guys,
Took Super Bowl Monday off work and headed to the marina to do some wax job on the Compac (yeah, I didn't get every inch waxed, but got most of it done).

I noticed that the two boats next to mine in the yard have canvas winch covers on their primary winches. Aside from the obvious; lessens sun exposure to the winch, are their any necessary reasons to have winch covers? We live in Florida, and so the sun is pretty blazing year-round.

Also, does anyone know if the Maxwell #14 winches on some CP19's out there are actually bronze plated?  Mine are a dark brown color right now--- and so I assume this is tarnished bronze? Some posters to this site are fond of polishing the brass (oops, bronze?) on their Compacs often. Although I haven't yet polished ours, I'm going to  (on the mooring cleats, side hatches, etc.) and wondered if the winches could receive the same polish treatment?  Perhaps they're not bronze at all--- but the tarnish/color on them makes me think that they are. 

Thoughts?  Thanks,
Mike G.
s/v Freebird -1987 CP19

[pelican]

I don't know about yours, but I thought mine might be bronze till I took them apart for a cleaning. My boat is an early model and I am not the original owner. My winches may or may not be original to the boat.

Mine are dark brown and appear to be tarnished. I tried to buff them out and bring out the bronze but it did not work. I took them apart and discovered they had a coating on the outside that gave them the brown color. Could be powder coat, I really don't know. I suspect yours are the same. Take them apart and look on the under side. You may see a base metal. Be careful not to drop parts. Do it on land so nothing goes in the drink. They are simple and go back togeather easy.

The coating has held up well in the Florida sun and I don't see a reason to make covers specifically for the winches. I like to keep my boat covered because of the teak and dirt.


Terry

[fansbro]

I have a question regarding Maxwell 14 winches.  I need to take mine apart.  Does any one know how it is done? I have tried removing the large screw in the center, but that did not do it.  Is the black ring that says Maxwell a retaining ring?  If so how do you get it off?  It seems a bit brittle and I don't want to break it.

Fran

[mikeg]

No clue, Fran.

But I bet Terry can describe this in more detail if he's on this forum in the near future. He posted earlier regarding my question about the finish/color on these winches.

Mike
s/v Freebird- CP19

[pelican]

I have a question regarding Maxwell 14 winches.  I need to take mine apart.  Does any one know how it is done? I have tried removing the large screw in the center, but that did not do it.  Is the black ring that says Maxwell a retaining ring?  If so how do you get it off?  It seems a bit brittle and I don't want to break it.

Fran

If you have a large center screw, that is completely different then the winch on my c19. Again, I don't know if mine are original to the boat. I remove a retaining clip on top the drum and the drum slides up and off exposing the gears etc. Very simple to maintain. My winches do not have a name visable and after reading your post , I suspect mine might be Arcos and not Maxwells.

I have worked on some larger Maxwell winches ( some years back) and if I recall correctly, the large center screw is called a retaining cap and it holds the drum down on a pedestal. The gears etc: are housed under the pedestal.

If I recall correctly, when the large screw is removed, the drum should lift off to expose a set of needle bearings that the drum rides on. The bearing looks like a long Axel bearing. The set up is very similar to wheel bearing on a vehicle. Once the drum is off, spray the insides down with CRC till clean and everything moves free.

The problem comes in if the boat has been sitting and the Maxwell winches have not been maintained. The drum can get very tight and the needle bearings can lock up under the drum. This can make removal of the drum very tough. I recall having to remove the winch from the boat and soaking them in mystery oil to get them apart. Sometimes it takes some sweat and blood if they have sat for a long period.

I believe Maxwell is still in business so, I would give them a call to verify what I told you. I am no expert and the smaller winch may be designed differently then the larger winches I have worked on. They should have owners/maintenance manuals available. Maxwells are good winches, but they should be Cleaned and maintained before, during and after each season to work properly. ( especially around salt water) Good luck!

Terry