Andersen #40 ST Winch Gripe.

[endoftheroad]

I have a set of these.
People seem to love these winches, they came with this new to me boat 1 year ago. The previous owner left them uncovered and the Sun made the silly A$$ plastic ring at the top of the winch brittle, it recently fell into the ocean in many little pieces.
I can't believe plastic is part of a winch that is so respected.
How can I respect Andersen winches?

Today at West Marine the manager had a table with miscellaneous items marked 10% off. One of these silly plastic rings was there on the table, so I thought I'd take it home, I asked the clerk to scan the price for me, it was $34.96.
That's rediculous.....and I have to buy 2 of them? 70 DOLLARS!!!!! For 50 cents of tupperware.
It's not going to happen today.
It seems like a poor design.

ANDERSEN #40 Two-Speed Stainless Steel Self-Tailing Winch, Convertible to Electric at West Marine

[endoftheroad]

I was just admiring my locked up winches under the moonight thinking Mortissier would have said; "these Andersen winches are an INSULT TO THE SEA".

[cszosler]

[QUOTE="endoftheroad;
That's rediculous.....and I have to buy 2 of them? 70 DOLLARS!!!!! For 50 cents of tupperware.


B.O.A.T. it means "bring on another thousand" an old truth. Hopefully you will find less expensive solution.

[endoftheroad]

[QUOTE=cszosler;1174387][QUOTE="endoftheroad;
That's rediculous.....and I have to buy 2 of them? 70 DOLLARS!!!!! For 50 cents of tupperware.


B.O.A.T. it means "bring on another thousand" an old truth. Hopefully you will find less expensive solution.[/QUOTE]

It's not only about the money.
These things should be better suited for the elements.

[Ian R]

When the plastic on my andersen winches fell apart I used a cable tie as a spacer until I replaced them. I don't know how much they cost, it was included in a rigging job. Andersen were bought out by ronstan.

[Jim Cate]

I agree that failing plastic bits does detract from the winch design, but otherwise they are excellent winches.

If I owned some, I would be thinking about protecting the fallible bits from the UV... say by gluing some aluminium foil over them, or painting them or somesuch thing. Shouldn't be necessary, but if they are already on the boat you might as well try to extend their life.

Cheers,

Jim

[endoftheroad]

to Ian R,
They are $1,490 each at WM.

to Jim,
Probably winch covers will help a great deal.

[Ian R]

Originally Posted by endoftheroad

to Ian R,
They are $1,490 each at WM.

to Jim,
Probably winch covers will help a great deal.

I mean the plastic bits.I didn't replace the complete winch.

[Weyalan]

You could try taking one of the platic rings into somewhere like BSC Motion Tech (bearings, seals, o-rings etc) and asking if they have anything equivalent... don't tellt hem what it is for.... they may have an equivalent at a fraction of the cost. Worth a try, anyway

[Ian R]

It appears andersen make 2 types 1 with plastic and another all stainless.I wonder if the plastic can be replaced with stainless?

[endoftheroad]

Weyalan and Ian R,
Good ideas, thanks.

[S/V Alchemy]

I believe I have the stainless ones. I've had zero problems with them, and am sorry you're having them.

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by Ian R

When the plastic on my andersen winches fell apart I used a cable tie as a spacer until I replaced them. I don't know how much they cost, it was included in a rigging job. Andersen were bought out by ronstan.

Thanks for the tip, I was just looking at the $1,400 a piece winches and noticed your tip should work temporarily.

I should take a picture with zip ties and send it to Andersen for use on their sales brocure.