Mac/Venture Brake Winch Maintenance

[johnnyonspot]

Just wondering what anyone with knowledge would suggest for annual maintenance on the brake winch used to raise/lower the keels on the older Mac/Venture models with the cast iron keels. E.g., lube, tightening, etc. What sort of lube would be best, where to apply.....

[kmclemore]

If I recall, that winch is you're basic ratchet/pawl winch. I would rinse it in clean water to remove any salt. Then, when dry, lightly oil the moving parts but do *not* oil or grease the ratchet and pawl (only oil the pivot part of the pawl, where it is rived to the backing). If you put lube on the pawl finger or the ratchet wheel several things will happen - first, it's more likely to slip instead of engaging - second, it will get oil or grease all over everything as things brush up against it - and third, it will become a dirty mess after a short while. I would use a light penetrating oil for all the rotating and pivoting joints - something like old trusty 3-in-1 oil will work fine. Avoid using grease, as it will only attract grit and shorten the life of the unit. While you're there, carefully inspect the full length of the cable for frays, and if there's more than two or three threads broken, it's time for replacement.