New Winch or Winch Strap?

C

cyclops222

Commander
Joined
Mar 21, 2024
Messages
2,527
Why can not 2 people back the boat in just far enough to get it on the boards or guides? Then back in the rest of the way ? I can do it alone. With a person in the vehicle and a driver in the boat. Both on cell phones. Done
 
A

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,651
cyclops222 said:
All old people should have a electric winch. It will keep you young forever.
Click to expand...
I considered that before buying my two speed winch. Then figured how much time it takes to crank less than 18" on the winch. I would be done cranking long before I had the battery connected on the electric winch. Now if I still had my Islander, there would be an electric winch on there !! My 16' side console comes in around 1200# tops....takes less than one minute to crank up that last 18" or less. I try to work smarter, rather than harder, especially at my age !!
 
aspeck

aspeck

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
19,299
I have shortened my strap enough times that I am about to have to replace it. As the sun deteriorates the exposed portion, I cut off and re-fasten so I don't loose the boat when it is not convenient to do so. I bought my boat about 15 years ago (used at the time) and haven't yet replaced the strap ... continue to lube the winch and shorten the strap when it starts to fray. I feel that this might be the last year for the strap ...
 
A

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,651
redneck joe said:
I've thought about making mine work with my drill. Anyone ever done that?
Click to expand...
Now that I have spent some time thinking about your idea, the better I like it.. Not sure how well it would work on a 1 speed winch where the cranking can be difficult, but with my two speed in low gear, I don't think it would be a problem. I can crank my 1200# boat on with just a finger like spinning an airplane propeller, so why wouldn't it work ? If I were cranking all 16' of boat onto the trailer, I would be doing my homework. As is, I only crank a little over a foot, so not worth the effort. In fact, as have been looking at one of those latches that catch your bow eye....the " boat2trailer" unit is the one I have been thinking about. I can power load at our ramps, and when done correctly, causes no damage to the ramp. Even our local DNR officer came over and congratulated me on doing it properly earlier this season when he came over for a boat inspection. Hmmmm...electric drill ??
 
Last edited:
A

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,651
cyclops222 said:
Why can not 2 people back the boat in just far enough to get it on the boards or guides? Then back in the rest of the way ? I can do it alone. With a person in the vehicle and a driver in the boat. Both on cell phones. Done
Click to expand...
It works when you have two people....I am usually alone...and even when I do have another person, I have been doing this for so long, that another person gets in the way ! If I still had my 22'....that would be another story.
 
P

Pmt133

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 6, 2022
Messages
862
Even the low speed on my winch brings some resistance lol. The couple of ramps that I do have to full length winch aren't that much of a work out but it's enough. The speed also isn't that bad. On the flip side the high speed setting is a bear and far worse than the single speed it replaced. You guys both probably are lighter than my 19 is though. So it may work. I know my corded drill can throw me around. My 20v stuff I've been able to locked rotor working without much effort. But a lighter boat may be fine thinking about it.

I went outside and double checked what I had on the boat. Its a dutton lainson 2500. A serious unit...
 
dingbat

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,539
Do yourself a favor......back in and get your bunks wet prior to loading the boat..... your shoulder will thank you

68 yro.....no problem winching #5,200 the last foot or so to the stop with a Dutton DL2500A
 
A

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,651
Quality of winch makes a big difference, years back I had a trailer with a 2000# manual winch but an off brand cheap job, it did work fine, never an issue, so I thought. Friend found a brand new winch at a garage sale for cheap, also rated at 2000# capacity. What the hey.....new shiny winch vs old rusty looking winch....this was a no brainer. After mounting, I noticed the new winch had a longer crank and a much more comfortable handle. Wow..what a difference in the effort it took to crank the same boat on the same trailer...much easier ! Good winch can make a big difference !!
 
M

mike_i

Ensign
Joined
Jun 28, 2017
Messages
993
I've been doing the same thing for many years.
aspeck said:
I have shortened my strap enough times that I am about to have to replace it. As the sun deteriorates the exposed portion, I cut off and re-fasten so I don't loose the boat when it is not convenient to do so. I bought my boat about 15 years ago (used at the time) and haven't yet replaced the strap ... continue to lube the winch and shorten the strap when it starts to fray. I feel that this might be the last year for the strap ...
Click to expand...
 
l008com

l008com

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 14, 2007
Messages
762
Does anyone put some kind of cover over the winch? If its the sunlight that kills the strap, seems like it wouldn't be all that hard to come up with something that will cover the extended piece of strap, plus the top of the spool? Maybe not worth the effort, but certainly seems doable.
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,328
Gee, a small trash bag would do it. It would be ugly.

Any idiot with a piece of canvass and a sewing machine could make a cover.
 
P

Pmt133

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 6, 2022
Messages
862
My trailer cover loops around the winch stand. Hasn't really seemed to make much a difference.
 
dingbat

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,539
Dry rot in fabric is primarily caused by fungal growth, specifically "brown rot fungi" or "cellulose fungus".

This fungus thrives in damp, humid conditions and feeds on the cellulose fibers found in many fabrics. Poor ventilation, improper storage, and lack of maintenance can exacerbate the problem.
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
12,275
Cut a couple feet off every couple years and be done with it. This all is way overthinking a very minor problem.
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,328
Joe, inquiring minds want to know. How do you refasten the winch strap to the eye after you cut it off. Usually, they are sowed. 3 pop rivets comes to mind.
 
A

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,651
l008com said:
Does anyone put some kind of cover over the winch? If its the sunlight that kills the strap, seems like it wouldn't be all that hard to come up with something that will cover the extended piece of strap, plus the top of the spool? Maybe not worth the effort, but certainly seems doable.
Click to expand...
Way....back in my younger years, winch covers were popular, often home made but kept them cleaner, less sun rot and didn't pick up road crud. Had a couple myself.......but then they seemed to disappear ! Really haven't even thought much about them until I read these posts. If my boat/ trailer sat out in sun all the time, I would consider them again......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top