A winch that grinds, slips, or won't turn is overdue for service. Sailboat winches need annual cleaning and re-greasing — most haven't been done in 5+ years.
What to Check
1
Salt and old grease
Old grease turns into glue. Strip, clean in solvent, and re-grease with Harken / Lewmar winch grease (not generic).
2
Pawls and springs
Pawls stick or springs break. Replace with manufacturer parts — generics fail fast.
3
Bearings
Bronze or roller bearings wear out. Inspect and replace if pitted.
4
Self-tailing jaws worn smooth
If the line slips under load, the jaws are worn. Replaceable on most Harken/Lewmar.
When to Call Us
We service Harken, Lewmar, Andersen, and Antal winches — full strip, clean, and rebuild on the deck or in our shop.