Power Winch For Trailer

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BoatCrazy

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Looking to add a power winch to my trailer for the 17 center console. Due to my accident, I only have 40% use of my right arm and I think a power winch would help big time

Not looking for a 400 dollar unit, looking for something small, yet reliable.

Any suggestions?
 
We had those things, PowerWinch brand, for years. The really old ones had a ratchet to keep the boat from rolling back on retrieve and that part was a maintenance problem, along with the disk clutch itself. Later models used a one-way needle bearing that would fail to two-way and let the boat roll back.
So: Use a supplemental turnbuckle arrangement to hold the bow to the stop and don't rely on the winch.
We had issues with the electrical, where the cord from the truck plugged into the winch. If the ground failed, it'd smoke the trailer's lighting harness looking for an alternate ground.
So: Unplug trailer lights to use the winch.
We also found the winches were very optimistically rated. There's a double-pull arrangement (pulley at the bow hook) but that really slows the retrieve and also worsens the pulling ratio because there's so much more cable on the spool.
So: Buy one that's rated for about twice what your boat weighs.
You could try posting a Want To Buy add here at BE. Without an anchor you'll have to post email or phone, though. I'd buy a used one from somebody I knew and told me it was a working unit. The ones we had weren't very well built to begin with so I wouldn't call them a good used-sight-unseen product. If you feel lucky, Harbor Freight sells one...
 
I got my Winch from Ebay for $20.
12V power 'in' but you just release the Clutch to let the boat go.
I now use it in my Barn to lift stuff.
Check with Boat Fix, Les may have one.
 
Had a Powerwinch brand on my 20' CC trailer...had more troubles with it than it was worth, and the final straw was when the bearing failed and the winch burned out...
If I were to ever use a boat winch again it would have to one that would last for more than one short season of use.....
 
I've had Dutton & Lainson power winches on 2 different trailers, both my 19' Bayliner and the 24' Thompson. Never had a sigle issue with either of them and I launched and trailered at least once every weekend during the boating season.

I really like those better than the Powerwinch Brand because they use a strap instead of steel cable.

This is the one I used on the 19 footer and would work great for your application:

http://www.boatfix.com/shop5/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=10633

Tim
 
If you get a power winch, I would suggest mounting it using the removable adapter plate. The plate has keyholes in it and there are special bolts that mount to the trailer. The plate with the winch attached, can be installed/removed with no tools. This will increase the longevity of the winch and make it much less likely to be stolen.
 
NTE has them rather cheap. OR you could get a truck winch even cheaper. I recommend the pulley at the bow eye. Yes it will take longer to get the boat on the trailer, however, you are cutting the strain in 1/2.
 
Here's another vote for Dutton & Lainson. I had one that easily handled a 26 foot SeaRay bowrider. I seem to remember it was significantly cheaper than the equivalent PowerWinch.

Mike
 
I had 2 powerwinches for my trailer and they both has same problem, "oneway clutch disc" went bad, the first powerwinch lasted 3yrs, the second one also lasted about the time frame eventhough I installed additional "hold down" cable to lock the winch up tight against the bowstop and release the "oneway clutch". Removed move them and went back to "handpower" cranking one. Try to back the trailer little "deeper" then drive her in, then give her little juice while cranking the handle.
 
quote:
Originally posted by meide

Here's another vote for Dutton & Lainson. I had one that easily handled a 26 foot SeaRay bowrider. I seem to remember it was significantly cheaper than the equivalent PowerWinch.

Mike

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That's what I had on my trailer bost. A strsp rather than a cable is a big plus.

I don't think making it removable is necessary or even a good idea.

I also don't think anything thst's not intended for boats and boat trailers is a good idea.
 
Kida +1

i've had a power winch for almost 20 years now. Used it for about 10 on the water and now use it around the house to pull out shrubs and small trees. Works great with a double line pull as Kida suggests.

I used to just spray the winch down with WD40 after rinsing and never had a problem. There's even a quick disconnect for the powerwinch for easy removal.
 
Harbor Freight, on line and in stores across the country, has 12 volt winches for ATVs. From China, of course, and quite inexpensive. US$100+/- and a bunch of different styles and ratings.

Regretably a "global market" source but we have done it to ourselves.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Tommy Allen

I haven't seen one of those in years. Seems everyone power loads around here.

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Same here to the detriment of the ramps. A few marinas in the area forbid it now. It washed out the land under the concrete. Huge $$$$$ to repair.
 
Ramps washed out in Jacksonville so city dumped broken concrete to fill the damage in. The stuff damages props of those trying to power load at all but high tide.
IF you power load, please be the only person in the boat. There was a South FL case where the owner power loaded onto a jet dock and threw his child over the stern into the propeller. Even an adult doesn't know exactly when and how hard you're going to gas it.
 
I power load all the time. I used to be able to jump from the boat to the dock. Can no longer do that, so using a winch will be the way to go for me.
 
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