New Winch Question

[Hauger]

Hi...

I'm new to boating and trailering, so bear with me.

My trailer has an electric winch on it that probably hasn't seen electricity in 5 - 10 years. It does a poor job in it's current state of winching my 1995 Sea Ray 195 and holding it in place, so I'm looking to replace it with a manual winch.

The boat itself weights (dry) 2,400 lbs, and the trailer is carpet rails. I don't need to buy a 2,400 lbs winch though, right? What would the right sizing winch be though?

Also, do I (or should I) replace the winch cable, or reuse the one off the electric winch?

Thanks.

 

[ufm82]

Re: New Winch Question

My boat weighs in around 3500 lbs- 2,000 ln hull weight, 600 lb engine, 180 lbs of batteries, 40 lb trolling motor, 100 lb T-Top, blah, blah, blah. Add a fuel tank that holds 70 gallons of fuel (which I never fill all the way) and I get into that range quickly. I have a 2 speed winch on my trailer but don't really know what weight rating it is. I can crank my boat up to the bow stop on either speed and I have a bunk trailer.
The electrics are nice but seem to be overkill to me. I all depends on the ramp you use, water depth, etc. If you are always launching on a shallow ramp and have to drag the boat up, get the bigger winch as it will handle the load better. If not, a 1500 lb winch will do fine.
I tend to over-equip when outfitting my boat/trailer. Too strong is better than too weak in my book. I have the Fulton T2005 winch on my trailer and can say that it has no issues with my boat. And for ease of use and safety for your fingers, use a strap. Cables always seem to have frays that like to stick my fingers- haven't had a cable for a loooooooong time.

UFM82

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: New Winch Question

electric winches are popular around salt water where we keep our axles out of the water and roll, rather than float, on and off. Something to thing about: I don't know where you are boating.
Also if it's the powerwinch brand, they are right expensive so don't just toss it in the trash.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Winch Question

If I was you I would get the largest one they make before they start being dual-drive. You won't need the extra gear reduction of a dual drive and it would take forever to winch your boat it.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: New Winch Question

Remove the winch and bring it to a place that rebuilds starters..... I bet they will get it working like new.

 

[Hauger]

Re: New Winch Question

Thanks for all the answers....the electric that's on there might be worth something to someone, but not really to me, meaning I'll probably put it up on Kijiji and see if someone will give me a couple bucks for it.

I guess overkilling the winch doesn't hurt, but I figured I'd need just the 1500lbs winch since in my mind the weight rating means the force the winch can take, not the weight of that being winched. So by that logic, I'm sure 1500lbs can move my boat since I never really use 1500lbs of force to move the thing. Does that logic sound right to you guys?

One last question too....is it a good idea to reuse the old steel cable from the electric, or just buy a new cable?

Thanks.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Winch Question

get a new strap. Your new winch will probably come with one.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: New Winch Question

No, do not reuse the cable.

Do as suggested previously, use a strap. The straps are color coded, yellow being the highest rating, 10,000lbs. I would go that route as it is the strongest.

Remember you are not just pulling in the boat, but in some cases, trying to prevent the lose of your boat.

I agree with the previous Poster, overkill is better in the long run.

And remember, quality of product is directly related to the cost. If it has a cheap price it's a poor quality item, when compared with items intended for the same use.

Equipment that supports your "investment", such as a trailer jack, winch, winch strap, tie downs, and safety chains, hooks, couplers, etc., should be of the best quality. Not cheap, poor quality, China made knock offs.

It is ok to save money on items that do not directly relate to the safety of your boat and family, like cleaners, rags, buckets, bags and some tools, but you will pay many times over for having purchased cheap, hard use items.

As one of the OP's likes to say on this forum, "just my opinion", and we all have one of those as well.