Looks good so far, Richard. Have fun with those winches. I guess I'd start with a fresh water soak - maybe warm water - and see what happens. Maybe they won't be beyond saving, but I wouldn't count on it.
whats the process to do a "soaking"...and where do I find replacements if needed?...thanx...
Replacing them should be easy (if you want to write the check).
Presuming that you have removed them from the boat:
For cleaning an old encrusted winch, I would try one solvent for the congealed grease and another for the salts. Two different solvents, actually. Maybe dunk them in warm paint thinner (non polar) for the greasy stuff, and then hot water (polar) to dissolve out the salt crystals.
Remember the old text material from h.s. chem class about polar and non-polar solvents? Finally, after all these decades, a chance to use the info!
Or was it the other war around?! It's been a long time...
:nerd:
Loren
ps: the hull looks Great in those pics!!
ok...cool...sounds like either way they will need to be removed, ea?...i can start w/that....are they just bolted from the bottom?
There should be a center screw/bolt that holds the drum on, remove that and BE SURE that you have a containment constructed around the base(cardboard and duct-tape) as the bearings, pawls and springs will try to find a new home when the drum's removed. Don't ask!
After the drum's removed there should be ~6-8 thru bolts on the winch base. Two person job w/ a bilge rat holding the nuts.
Hey, she's gettin there, splash pics req'd.!