Merriman centerboard winch

[LH44 Anne]

Winch is jammed with board up. Can't unload pennant. Can't find any info on winch structure or maintenance and need help to (safely) deal with a repair. Any help would be appreciated by each of my ten fingers!

[rjtrane]

You're sure it's the winch? It's a worm great. Not much to go wrong.

[LH44 Anne]

Originally Posted by rjtrane

You're sure it's the winch? It's a worm great. Not much to go wrong.

I sorta think it might be the winch: see attached.

[Orion Jim]

Be careful. You've got stored energy in the pennant. Looks like the shaft snapped allowing the gear to cant. I'd start by attaching a bulldog clip to the pennant to limit further damage. Then I'd remove the winch by removing the mounting bolts. Then you'll have several inches of slack in the pennant and you may be able to remove the gear from the shaft.

[Nicholson58]

you may want to make sure you have sufficient spare stuff on hand. Once you release the board, you could be nailed to the bottom.

[bad.wabbit]

Reuben - saw your posting here and on Sailing Anarchy - ever have any luck with the winch? I have the same one. Works perfectly, but I'd like to get it apart - so far no such luck. Help?

Erik