Anchor winch at risk of launching overboard!

[Sweet As]

Hi,

The anchor winch mount on our 2004 Bav36 is in need of repair. I suspect being 'dead headed' once too often and what  looks like a plywood backing plate becoming soft has contributed.

Even when in new condition it doen't strike me as a particularly robust setup for such a critical piece of gear. Has anyone else had similar difficulties or have ideas regarding repair and upgrade?

[Trundletruc]

The mounting of the anchor winch on our Bav36(2002) must have broken before we bought it because the winch is now mounted on a U shaped peice of stainless steel which is bolted to the vertical glass fibre side mouldings. Very heavy and in the wrong place, being at the front of the boat. Very strong because it held when some idiot picked up our anchor and preceeded to motor away from our boat tied stern to the quay! However, if you use metal make sure that the winch is electrically isolated or you could get electrolosis between the chain when in the water and other parts of the boat.

[Sweet As]

Thanks Trundletruc,

I was thinking about a stainless 'U' shaped arrangement like yours. I assume that it is just bolted to the fibreglass sides?

Your yacht is a couple of years older than ours. Are there any other items on her that look like they have been replaced or beefed up? The stantion attachment is one that stands out to me. There are only washers and nuts as backing plates and a couple already show signs of stress as the deck gelcoat is beginning to craze around the bolts.

[Trundletruc]

Yes the plate is just bolted to the fibreglass sides.

We have no problems with the stantions - we always shout at people who insist on pulling/pushing on the tops of them when we are berthing!

[Nigel]

stantions - we always shout at people who insist on pulling/pushing on the tops of them when we are berthing!

Drives me nuts! 

[Sweet As]

Ok.........winch off and plan established to refibreglass mounting bracket and fit a stainless backing plate to stiffen it up. However, the aluminium base of the winch itself is very badly corroded. Does anyone know how I may be able to source a replacement winch casing?

[Nigel]

... aluminium base of the winch itself is very badly corroded. Does anyone know how I may be able to source a replacement winch casing?

Unless it is structurally unsound, I'd ignore it (perhaps some paint?). I imagine a new housing is very expensive; try the manufacturer.

[Sweet As]

You're right........a new body casing for the winch is AUD700. I have decided to strip the winch anyway (it is in desperate need of a birthday), machine off the corroded base back to good metal and weld on a new Aluminium base, retap studs and I'll be in business again. That's assuming I can get it apart to start with a number of the s/s bolts are very firmly corroded in place.

I have also decided that the silly rubber mat under the winch is a contributor to the problem. It forms a natural gutter around the haze of the alloy base to collect nice salty moisture from the chain as it is hauled in. I intend to replace the rubber with a cut to shape nylon chopping board.

[Sweet As]

Don't allow this to happen to your winch (like I did  ). I had a quick look at another Bavaria of similar vintage in the marina. The corrosion was starting to set in on that winch as well. The combination of s/s studs in aluminium and the gutter formed around the base by the rubber is corrosion heaven!

[Sweet As]

Unfortunately I have now assessed the damage to the winch as terminal. The cost and complexity of repair doesn't warrant it. I could replace with another Lofrans Cayman 88, but given the longevity of the original (or lack of), are there any recommendations for alternatives that fit ok?

[Anthony]

I had the same problem with the Lofrans anchor winch... serious corrosion in the base so much so the mounting studs came out., thankfully not in a perilous situation!
 The cost of a new outer case was prohibitive so I got an engineering company to basically slice off the corroded bottom of the winch whereupon a new flat plate of aluminium, about 17mm thick was keyed and bolted to the unit. This new base plate was tapped for 4 mounting bolts in the same positions as originally.Then I made up a 12mm base plate of polypropylene ( a plastic cutting board from Kmart!), drilled to allow the mounting bolts to pass thru, and used a similar piece of board to make a backing plate under the plywood platform of the anchor chain locker. It now works like new and the aluminium base is high and dry on the rubber gasket. And it's worth doing an oil change on the winch while its out!