Brake Winch from West Marine.

Jimwhall

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 6, 2013
Messages
183
I have a brake winch from West Marine I bought when my OEM winch broke. It works great, but for the fact that I didn't realize it was a brake winch when I bought it. This makes it kind of a pain because I can't freewheel the line out.

It does have a handle on the left hand side that is spring loaded. I've been told it might be a free wheel lever, but it doesn't seem to do anything.

Does anyone have experience with this winch?
 

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,801
I have the same winch but without the brake. The store had one of the brake units on display, which I played with a little. I was under the impression the brake was applied with that lever, but I could be wrong. The winch is made by Fulton, so either a West employee or contact Fulton and they should be able to help you out. By the way, I live the two speed winch, as I have bad shoulders and the low speed allows me to crank with no effort.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
43,241
Never had one but write ups say you have to hold the lever to payout the strap.

Using this thought and having other things I've made bypass devices for other things.

Determine how much force it takes to hold the handle down so it will freewheel. Now find something that can be hooked close by to hold the handle. Maybe a small hook under one of the bolts, and run a piece of wire thru the handle making a loop, push down and hook wire
 
Top