Lewmar 52 Base Crack

[southofvictor]

I’ve had this crack in the base of our starboard primary winch since we took ownership going on five years ago. I figured that somewhere along the line water had frozen in the space between the bronze internal tripod and the aluminum base and the expansion had caused the crack. Since it didn’t seem like it was under stress I put it to the back of my mind and moved on to more pressing matters.
Now it seems like it’s getting worse and there are more signs of corrosion, so it’s back to the front of my mind.
Any thoughts an easy way to address it? It still doesn’t seem like a structural integrity problem but I don’t want it to get worse. I’m thinking just clean out the corrosion and lube it with BoShield or maybe something more waxy?

 

[Prairie Schooner]

@southofvictor
Is this diagram of the right unit?
Is it the base, part 17? And it's aluminum?

I'd be inclined to take it off and have it welded, then file, drill, and/or machine it.

 

[peaman]

If the damage is actually caused by collection of water and subsequent freezing, and if the damage has not affected the integrity of the winch, you could consider simply removing the broken bits and cleaning up the damage to allow free drainage of water, thus preventing further freeze damage.

 

[Loren Beach]

Has the winch base been removed and more closely cleaned and inspected?
If this is not economically repairable it might be good to schedule a replacement purchase for the annual West Marine BOGO Lewmar winch sale this coming March. (That worked out great for me, several years ago, when I wanted to upsize a pair of factory winches.)

 

[southofvictor]

I haven’t pulled the base yet. I’ve cleaned and serviced the winch twice since we’ve had her. Yes Jeff it’s part 17 and it’s the same anodized aluminum as the drum. I think I’ll pull it and see if I can get it welded like you say, or if not just clean up the sharp
edges and live with it like Peaman suggests. From what I can tell there’s no structural integrity issue but I’ll double check when I pull it. Thanks guys!

 

[Kenneth K]

I’ll pull it and see if I can get it welded like you say, or if not just clean up the sharp edges and live with it

If you can't get it welded, bend and tape a thin piece of plastic around the cracked area (to mimic the curvature), and pour Bondo or thickened epoxy to fill the void. If you paint it black, it won't be all that noticeable.

But, yeah, if it's trapping water that then freezes (like peaman said), maybe you need a drain hole. You could sand down the chipped area with a Dremel sanding wheel to make it look more like it's supposed to be there.

 

[Alan Gomes]

If you can't get it welded, bend and tape a thin piece of plastic around the cracked area (to mimic the curvature), and pour Bondo or thickened epoxy to fill the void.

Or maybe JB Weld?

 

[Christian Williams]

I don' think that's significant at all. Have the same issue, somewhat less dramatic, from corrosion, not freezing.

Perhaps neaten up the damage to allow drainage. And lube, as the fasteners tend to freeze up in aluminum.