[Rhodes22-list] Mast raising winch issues

[Matt Wilson]

Thanks everyone!  I really appreciate it!

On Sun, May 3, 2026 at 4:13 PM Todd Tavares <tavares0947 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Matt,
>
> I don't have the same brand of winch, and this year I am going to a power
> winch with a fob remote, but I'll give it a shot.
>
> If the handle keeps winding off the driveshaft, it could mean the load on
> the winch line is too low...below the winch's minimum load when you were
> trying to lower. Before this happens, (the handle unscrewing) you would
> probably see the line loosening around the spool and bird nesting. You need
> to keep some tension on the line the whole time while paying out line.
>
> The handle should turn counter-cloclwise to lower the load as the spool
> turns opposite/clockwise. First make sure the winch drum hasn't been
> reversed wound somehow, and that when lowering, the drum spins clockwise,
> and opposite of the handle rotation.
>
> Take any slack out of the line around the drum. Try to attach a
> heavy/heavier load to the end of the line, and start picking the load. The
> handle should screw back onto the shaft before reeling the line back in.
> Once the handle screws back on and the line is rewound snugly around the
> spool and is tight it should be reset.
>
> You need to keep a load on the line when lowering to keep the handle from
> unscrewing.
>
> With a load on the line, as you crank the handle counter-cloclwise, the
> handle wants to back off the shaft and therefore release the brake friction
> and allow the drum to freewheel. But... the load on the end of the line is
> trying to turn the drum opposite/clockwise and tighten the shaft back into
> the handle with a force proportionate to the load and this apply brake
> friction pressure. When you stop lowering by stopping the handle, the
> weight of the load cranks the spool and handle back tight, applying brake
> pressure and self holds.
>
> This is the way my winch worked and this is all from memory. I hope this
> made sense.
>
> Todd T.
>
> On Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 5:44 PM Matt Wilson <mwhornblower at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Hello everyone,
> >
> > So glad the list is chirping with the sounds of spring!  Hope you are
> > sailing soon if not already.
> >
> > Last fall when I was attempting to lower my mast with the winch will only
> > pay out a few inches of line before the handle started to unscrew.  I
> > managed to get it down by tightening the nut on the handle side of the
> > winch but the same thing seems to be happening now. It seems like it
> > catches just fine to raise the mask so I should be fine this spring, but
> is
> > there something that needs adjusting or replacing from your experience?
> >
> > The nut on the handle Sides has a spring and the shaft of that bolt/nut
> > combo sticks out about an inch and a half or so. is that normal?
> >
> > I believe this is the original mask raising system from General boats.
> The
> > winch housing says Shelly on it.
> >
> > Thanks for whatever help you can give,
> > Matt Wilson
> > Hornblower II
> > White Bear Lake, Minnesota
> >
>