Winter is when Great Island riggers can be found by the parts cleaner, bathing and preparing caps, drums, pawls, gears, and springs for inspection and reassembly.

Winches need to be inspected and serviced regularly, even annually, depending on use, as dust and grime can cause winches to bind and freeze over time. Needless to say, frozen winches are of zero use and present serious safety issues for sailors. Winches that are directly exposed to the elements should be serviced first, while those mounted under a dodger may need less frequent cleaning. Since winch grease can harden and eventually turn to a varnish-like substance, postponing this maintenance can lead to longer service times, where internal parts unnecessarily endure more abuse from the scraping and cleaning process. When pawls and gears are clear, clean, and properly seated, a nice, crisp ratcheting sound is audible when a winch is in use. When was the last time you had your winches serviced?