On my 1973 HMS 18, the weird wench left my boat soon after I bought it,
in 1975! I replaced it with a flat 1/4 " alum. plate wih two pullies
bolted on, a halyard standard winch (with removable handle) mounted
vertlcal at cabin roof/companion way and one centering pully on the
inside cabin roof.
The heavy line (easy on the hands), floating alum. plate and lower
single pully disconnect at the centerboard with a s/s carbiner and the
whole rig lifts out through the existing cabinroof opening quickly and I
toss it in a locker to make it disappear! Can send you photo clips if
you need!!
Fair winds!!
Larry Steffen@ Monterey Bay, CA
HMS 18 YUUKI #35