Wildly Intrepid Sailingvideo

Beginner's Guide to Sailboat WINCH Maintenance

November 21, 2021 · 10 min · 23K views

What this video covers

Alex and Cory perform a full teardown and maintenance of a stiff sailboat winch.Watch To access the internal gears and bearings, they remove five mounting screws and unbolt the unit from the underside of the deck.0:56 After disassembly, they clean the components using bronze or brass wool and a multi-tool, avoiding steel wool to prevent rust fragments on the deck.3:23 They apply winch grease to the main gears and bearings but use only light motor oil for the pawls and their associated springs.2:59 Reassembly requires careful manipulation of the snap ring and pawls to ensure the mechanism clicks properly.7:30 The team uses butyl tape to seal the mounting bolts during reinstallation.8:54 Proper lubrication of the internal gears and bearings restores smooth winch operation.10:07

Watch on YouTube

More from Wildly Intrepid Sailing

Shipwrecks, Volcano Ruins & a HUGE Family Surprise! | Martinique E401Oct 2026Our Time in Dominica Ends BADLY… Then the Sail Gets Worse! E400Sep 2026WORTH NO SLEEP? Dominica's hidden gem E399Sep 2026We Got LOST in the Pirates of the Caribbean Indian River! E398Sep 2026

From Wildly Intrepid Sailing — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.

Report an issue