Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

I have so little confidence in my mechnical abilities

that I do things very tentatively. And, whats more from what i see my neighbors and friends do, I think they could learn from my humility. Firstly, every job requires the proper tools and a familiarity with them. That's for starters. I have none of that. High end ratcheting crimper--Oh, yes, sure, I have that right here from when I built a Heathkit crystal radio set. Then there is basic common sense. With me this is usually opposite what a mechanic sees and hears. For instance last week I stripped down two winches. When putting them together there came a point in time when a washer had to go between a bottom plate and a bearing. Consulting the YouTube Video I heard the English accented Lewmar expert say to his female counterpart:"Note that one side of the washer has a chamfer. That faces downward." To which she did not reply "WTF is a chamfer?" They just went about their business until everything was clicking and making winch noises. I on the other hand broke into a sweat and in an attack of anxiety screamed out to the empty " Holy S**T I'm truly f**ed now!" Its only now--a week later that I realize I put the washer in upside down and have to take the whole winch apart in DECEMBER IN NEW YORK.
Take it from me--hire a professional. It works for me.

Messages In This Thread