Waterproofing A Muir Winch

[@DaveAdams308]

Really enjoy these maintenance and repair videos Norm. Very useful, thank you!

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Glad to help Dave.

[@napoleonnz]

I imported and sold anchor windlasses for more than 10 years. The major issue is salt water finding its way below deck and eventually into the gearbox. It's a must to dismantle the windlass each year for cleaning and re-greasing both above and below deck. No matter how good the deck seal is, water will get past it and the result is havoc.

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Good comment. Think better design would help.

[@ronkeeling6885]

Yes I agree. I stripped down and serviced mine every time I was on the slip and cleaned out the chain locker. You rely on them every time your out there. The first time I stripped it down it had been put together with some sort of antisize what a seized up disaster stainless bolts and alloy case and antisize don't mix. I assembled it with Vaseline on the threads and never any trouble striping it again.

[@paullewis2559]

Awesome video, Thanks Norm and to Bruce as well.

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

No probs dude.

[@DingoDownUnder]

Mate reminds me of me and my mates as teens pulling stuff apart....

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Yeah Dude. Guess some of us never grow up.

[@djmini2numpty141]

sounds like Muirs came to the party because they acknowledged the newer windlass was not up to the task when it came to preventing water from intruding. Kudos to them ! cheers, Frank

[@kwridgway]

All consumer goods sold in Australia must be "reasonably durable". A winch that is expected to be used in boating in water and sea and salt could very reasonably be expected to last more than 4 years. So far from Muir "coming to the party" they are simply complying with Australian Consumer Law (ACL). More Australians need to be aware of their rights that exceed company warranty periods. www.accc.gov.au/media-release/broken-but-out-of-warranty-your-consumer-guarantee-rights-may-still-apply

[@kwridgway]

So the winch is filled with design defects (holes). Forget a gearbox. Make them give you a whole new winch.

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Yep, agree dude

[@Gordon_Highlander]

WOW. Bruce is a very VALUABLE ASSET to have a mate Lord Dude. He reminds me of my dad who was a ships Chief Engineer. Please wish Bruce and his lovely lady a Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Cheers Lord Dude!

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Will do Angus. He's a good mate.

[@nwoodman1]

Great work Norm. Really enjoy the “how-to’s”

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Thanks Dude.

[@philgray3443]

Top video Norm. Lots of winches, no matter where they say they are made have Quick gearboxes. Yours looked like our ancient one. Same damage. I bought the Muir and Sikaflexed the chain counter hole. The result was a totally dry winch. It resided above our V berth and I never got around to building a box. It remained dry and a thing of beauty until I sold the boat. New boat, guess how the winch was? A quick note about rebuilding gear boxes, water pumps. I have found the local bearing suppliers can either supply the bearings or send you on quests for shaft resealing items. In one case supplying bearings at $14 each that I could have bought from Volvo at a cool $98 each.

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Yep agree with that Phil. Sealing that sensor hole is top priority.

[@Kelpie119]

Norm, I wrapped everything in Denso tape, made a cover for when not in use. You use yours much more than myself .V informative tks😊

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Makes sense dude.

[@peterlee440]

Great Norm. I’ll check mine !

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Good idea Peter. Check the top housing on the gearbox. Make sure it's dry.

[@SuperRajack]

Great video

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Glad you enjoyed it dude

[@paulwilliams-dg7tk]

Way to go Norm

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Thanks Dude

[@crysate]

Thanks for the info Norm, I’ve got the same winch so will check it out

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Yep. Good idea...especially if it's making a bit of a grinding noise.

[@carlherbison3754]

Great video norm love watching the videos

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Glad you like them dude. Thanks for watching.

[@wallyshalcyon]

great vid guys

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Thanks dude.

[@richardkaye2228]

I hose mine each time anchor comes up with fresh water , and it still looks like new , it was also flooded in tectol when installed , boats there is always something to fix

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Keep an eye on it mate. If it's easy pull it out every year. Cheers dude.

[@RorySeanWainer]

Always had a problem with Muir winches & the company's lack of desire to honour warranties so I switch to Maxwell. Many boats & Maxwell winches later, so far, so good. Perhaps Maxwell uses better seals?

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Maybe Dude. Thanks for the comment.

[@adrianhayes3144]

Thanks for the informative video. Would it be possible to give the answers to your quiz in the following video?

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Yep. Good idea dude. The last one was a vessel longer than 50m, underway and heading towards you. You would alter your course to pass on the other vessels port side. Cheers dude.

[@muirengineering]

G'Day Norm and Bruce. Thanks for sharing this excellent video. We really are proud that we still manufacture our quality equipment in Australia (vs many of our competitors who have moved to other "low cost" centres), but clearly there is some room to improve here! A few things from our end because we appreciate the feedback and like to be open with our customers! On the issues you raise with the windlass: 1) We have identified a dissimilar metals problem. When we introduced the quick fit adaptor flanges, they were originally designed to be plastic to isolate the gearbox from the SS316 top works. Unfortunately the plastic didnt stand up to the task and we also had complaints from customers over the use of plastic in the winch, so we went to SS316. 2)At the time we paid a materials expert to look at anodes and isolation systems, and they recommended that tectyl, tefgel or duralac would be sufficient isolation. Needless to say that this didn't stand the test of time. We now provide a plastic isolation gasket between the gearbox and the SS316 adaptor. We have seen good results on this to date. 3) On the sealing of the holes in the base, we have conducted multiple spray down tests on the windlass base. In our tests we didnt see any leakage through the plug or the holes you mention. But we acknowledge and agree that silicone sealing per your recommendations would be better. 4) We think you raise a good point on the gasket and will look into a softer material - but do not that we dont want a material that will retain any water. When we tested neoprene gaskets we found they were still wet under the gasket and base after a test of 1 week in the sun. We need to find a gel like substance and are working on this. 5) On the flaking paint work, we are currently doing some R&D on a coating product developed for the space industry (Nylic) which will like replace our current 2-part epoxy paint system and is seeing significant improvements in corrosion resistance. On the install: 1) We really do need a solid layer of silicone/ sika sealant placed between the deck gasket and the deck. It does not look like this was applied in the installation. The black gasket is not actually intended as a sealing part but as an isolator for steel or aluminum installs. It also provides the surface area for the sealant to mate with the deck. In the manual (which John Muir developed quite some time ago!) he actually recommends a generous amount so that it pushes out the edge and also seals in against the adaptor/ shaft bore. 2) An annual check will assist greatly in identifying any leaks and preventing ongoing "wetting" of the drivetrain. We high recommend checking the shaft seal at the same time to make sure not water is leaking down the shaft. 3) Ensure you coat the entire drivetrain and winch under the deck in a corrosion inhibitor exactly as Bruce states! We appreciate the feedback. All the best with the new gearbox and let us know if you have any other ideas you think we should take on board! Cheers, The Muir Team Still Australian MADE and OWNED!

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Thanks Dudes. Appreciate the service and advice.

[@jimlofts5433]

you have sat on your arses for years and would be fully aware of the issues - a disgrace - watch this and fix - design and cables

[@juliancox4178]

Hi Norm. Have you thought about a horizontal winch? I would imagine this would give better protection in regards to water ingress. Or does the vertical style offer other advantages with the capstan feature ?

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

The winch I replaced was horizontal, but manual. The power horizontal winches Muir make, have a base that is too big for where I have to mount it. So a dilemma dude

[@guvnermcgovern]

What’s the significance of the coloured bands on your left wrist?

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

They are bands my Grand Kids gave me to wear, so I wouldn't forget em.

[@ian1486]

I recommend a different brand. I have a lofrans. Nearly 40 years old.

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Noted Dude. Have heard good things about them.

[@ian1486]

​Also its a horizontal set up which alleviates a lot of your problems@@MotorSailingforOldDudes

[@brianmalady1190]

Sorry I missed the start

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

How so?

[@adambooth600]

Dessembly from beginning dude

[@rogeroliver6326]

other solution avoid the brand r s

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Hmmmm?

[@paulviles5996]

Geez mate not good! My Muir is 29 years old and still going. Maybe like a lot of things these days made in China.

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Yeah Dude. a bit disappointed. Think the older models were better than the new. But probably OK if they are sealed up to stop water getting around the gearbox.

[@paulviles5996]

@@MotorSailingforOldDudes yeh if I have to do I’ll definitely take that knowledge onboard 😂 get it , onboard!

[@thosoz3431]

Rubbish sealing on a winch for a boat ? Time for a look at a few other brands.

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Hmmmm?

[@jimlofts5433]

what a crap design and they keep building them - stoopid - a bit like land rover with axle splines and also using needle bearings - a few simple mods to the castings would solve these issues

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Yep, could be better.

[@jimlofts5433]

@@MotorSailingforOldDudes Aussie product hope they do the improvements - we need manufacturing (good) and jobs especially Tassie

[@spacemonkey-yj7ss]

looked like a fair bit of electrolysis going on by the look of that aluminum housing.

[@richardkaye2228]

My thoughts exactly

[@MotorSailingforOldDudes]

Yep. A lot.