Matt,

I'm pretty sure that we have the same model Shelly winch (pictures should be attached).  Exactly how this works has always been a mystery to me.

It is normal for the shaft that the handle pivots around to rotate, but that shouldn't cause it to loosen.  On the side of the housing opposite the handle is a large nylock nut.  This should turn with the shaft.  If it remains stationary when the shaft turns, perhaps it has become stuck to the housing.  As a first step, I would try to loosen that up with some lubricant and elbow grease.

--Peter


[ Sent From rhodes22.net ]


Winch #1.jpg

Winch #2.jpg

> On 2026-04-30, at 17:05:41 EDT, Matt Wilson wrote:
>
> Hello everyone,
> 
> So glad the list is chirping with the sounds of spring!  Hope you are sailing 
> soon if not already. 
> 
> Last fall when I was attempting to lower my mast with the winch will only pay 
> out a few inches of line before the handle started to unscrew.  I managed to get 
> it down by tightening the nut on the handle side of the winch but the same thing 
> seems to be happening now. It seems like it catches just fine to raise the mask 
> so I should be fine this spring, but is there something that needs adjusting or 
> replacing from your experience? 
> 
> The nut on the handle Sides has a spring and the shaft of that bolt/nut combo 
> sticks out about an inch and a half or so. is that normal? 
> 
> I believe this is the original mask raising system from General boats. The winch 
> housing says Shelly on it. 
> 
> Thanks for whatever help you can give,
> Matt Wilson
> Hornblower II
> White Bear Lake, Minnesota
>