There is enough gap for it to get out easily. There is no way I'd have a winch that had to be taken apart and drained every time I got is wet or muddy.hehe. It seems to be able to handle mud and water pretty well. Like I said, I have had mine for over three years and it really didn't even need cleaning out now, but I did it anyway since I'm selling my quad.

Mudman '96 Xplorer 300 4x4 Vamped and a Warn
Soon to have Magnum 500

 

We have WARN 2000 whinches mounted to my Wolverine and my families three Honda 4X4s'.
They are all submerged in mud and water frequently. They always work.

 

I have a Rule 3300# winch that regularly get submerged in rivers and swamps and it hasn't failed on me yet!
Dave