We’ve all been there—that sinking feeling when you realize you’ve ignored a critical piece of boat maintenance for far too long. Maybe it’s the bilge pump you’ve been meaning to test, the rigging you keep telling yourself “looks fine,” or, in my case, the windlass that hadn’t seen so much as a glance in eleven years.
Not just any windlass—this one powered Argon, my Tartan 4000, through three winters in the Caribbean, where she spent nearly every night at anchor. Hundreds of cycles, countless retrievals, and more than a few white-knuckle moments in squalls and crowded anchorages.
For years, I told myself, It still works, so why mess with it?
Then, finally, I decided to do the right thing. I cracked it open.
And what I found was a horror show.
What Is Maintenance Shame?
Maintenance shame is that quiet, creeping guilt every boat owner feels when they know they’ve neglected something important. It starts small—I’ll check the impeller next season—and then, before you know it, years have passed. The longer you wait, the worse the potential problem becomes, and the harder it is to face.
My Windlass: A Case Study in Neglect
My Lofrans Tigres windlass was installed when Argon was launched in 2014. In eleven years, it had:
- Never been disassembled for annual maintenance
- Never had its bearings inspected or repacked
- Never had its motor brushes replaced
Yet, somehow, it kept working.
That’s the dangerous part—when gear functions despite neglect, we convince ourselves it’s fine. But deep down, we know better. Every time I pressed the “up” button, I wondered: Is today the day it finally gives up?
The Wake-Up Call
The first sign of trouble was a faint grinding noise during retrieval. Not a full failure, but a warning. I knew if I didn’t act soon, I’d be hauling chain by hand in some remote anchorage.
So, I finally mustered the courage to open it up.
The Horror Inside
I expected dirty grease, maybe some wear. What I found was far worse:
🔴 Corrosion everywhere – Saltwater had seeped into places it shouldn’t.
🔴 Sandy grit around the shaft– At first, I thought it was just sand. Then I realized: this was ground-up bearing material.
I bought a rebuild kit, hoping to salvage it. The kit contains upper and lower oil seals and a new bearing unit as well as the necessary spring clips to hold these things on the shaft. But as I dug deeper, the truth became clear:
This windlass was beyond saving.
The corrosion had eaten away at the internals so badly that even with new seals and bearings, the structural integrity was compromised. A rebuild would be a temporary fix at best.
The Hard Truth: Total Replacement
After consulting with a marine tech, the verdict was final:
🚨 This windlass is a ticking time bomb.
🚨 A rebuild might last a season… or fail on the next haul.
🚨 Full replacement: Several “boat dollars” (1 USBD = $1,000).
Why Do We Avoid Maintenance?
1. “It Still Works, So Why Fix It?”
The biggest lie we tell ourselves. Just because it functions doesn’t mean it’s healthy.
2. Fear of What We’ll Find
Ignorance is bliss… until it isn’t. I didn’t want to know how bad it was—until I had no choice.
3. The “While You’re In There” Spiral
Boat projects never stay small. Open one system, and suddenly you’re replacing three others.
4. Cost Avoidance
We delay maintenance to avoid spending money… only to end up spending 10x more later.
Lessons Learned (The Hard Way)
1. Annual Maintenance Isn’t Optional
Had I serviced this windlass yearly, I might have caught the corrosion early. Now, I’m out thousands instead of hundreds.
2. Saltwater Is a Silent Killer
Even with covers and rinsing, salt creeps in. Regular disassembly and inspection are non-negotiable.
3. Ignoring Problems Doesn’t Make Them Go Away
It just makes them more expensive—and dangerous.
4. The Real Cost of Neglect
A rebuild kit: $80
A new windlass: $3,000+
The shame of knowing this was entirely preventable? Priceless.
Breaking the Cycle of Maintenance Shame
✅ Schedule It & Stick to It
Put annual maintenance in your calendar like a doctor’s appointment—non-negotiable.
✅ Start Small Before It’s a Crisis
Don’t wait for the grinding noise. Open it up before it fails.
✅ Budget for Maintenance (Or Pay for Repairs)
A few hundred a year in prevention beats thousands in emergency fixes.
✅ Swallow Your Pride & Ask for Help
If you’re not confident in DIY, pay a pro. It’s cheaper than a full replacement.
Final Thoughts
I’m now in the market for a new windlass—an expensive lesson in what happens when you ignore maintenance.
But the real cost isn’t just financial. It’s the knowledge that this was 100% avoidable.
Don’t be like me. Open that seacock, inspect that rigging, service that windlass.
Your future self—and your wallet—will thank you.
Have your own “maintenance shame” story? Share it in the comments below—we’ve all been there!
Fair winds and (well-maintained) gear,
SailingNewport.com