My guess is that since many windlass companies essentially use starter motors for power the "bearing" you are talking about is really what in the old days was called a Bendix, but was really the 'starter drive' within the motor. It was sorta like a clutch that would only grip and turn in one direction. If that is the case, then it would be pretty easy to dismantle the motor and replace just that part. I did it numerous times to older cars I normally drove.

Not that it does you much good now, but that is just one of the many reasons why I spent the money and bought a Lighthouse 1501.

Eddie