Winch handle won't lock in

[AuChante]

My winches look original (1984 Maxwell). The dimensions of the star shape seems fine and it cranks fine, but it won't let the handle lock in place. Does this look like a different design than is used now?

[JPA Cate]

Sometimes, we've had the lever on the handle bind up so that the "lock" wouldn't work. Sometimes, the spring breaks.

Never had a winch like yours, though, mostly Lewmars and Barients.

Ann

[TrentePieds]

AuChante:

As far a I can see from your photo your winch does not have the groove below the "teeth" of the drive that is needed for the lock plate on the handle to turn in and thereby catch under the teeth in the socket to prevent than handle from being lifted out.

There is absolutely NO need for the handle to lock in the winch. I myself prefer that it doesn't! A handle "locked in" is just a nuisance in my book. I like having a loop of light line on the grip of the handle so I can slip my hand through that loop to keep it secured to my wrist. Some handles have a hole through the grip specifically to accommodate such a wrist strap.

I'm a cruising man, so for long periods I don't need to use a winch, and therefore I don't need to use a handle. When not in active use my handle lives in a handle pocket in my cockpit. It is along sheath, sort of thing, mounted vertically, and for the handle to fall out by accident you'd have to turn the boat upside down!

You are a novice, so you will serve yourself well if you learn the basics working with basic gear - the simpler the better - while you find your sea legs. Don't look for "science" where science only gets in the way of learning. And harking back to other questions you've asked, don't let people turn a firehose on you when all you need, and can swallow, is just a little sip of water :-)!

TrentePieds

[AuChante]

This must be an older style... maybe even proprietary. The boat came with an abused handle with some boogered up teeth on it. I attributed the inoperative locking mechanism to the damaged handle. I got a $40 handle off ebay to replace it and was surprised to see the locker still not work. Since it just doesn't work I'll probably drill the locking mechanism out of it so it seats better in the winch. It just feels really iffy having $40+ just sitting there waiting for its chance to jump into the water.


I found this listing on eBay for a Maxwell winch and handle. It sure looks like my winch. Here's the best pic of the handle. It doesn't look like anything I've seen around. I may message this guy for better pics.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18554203486...730c%7Ciid%3A1

[JC Reefer]

Hard to tell but it kinda looks like a small shadow near the bottom. Here is a zoomed in image of your photo. You might try cleaning out the dirt from on top of the release screw.

[TheOffice]

I had a handle where the weld for the lock was sticking out too much. A few seconds with a Dremel solved the problem