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Wanted to get an electric trailer winch for my 20 ft center console boat. I'm guessing that the boat when fully loaded would way about 2700 lbs. What brand and size would you recommended?
I put a PowerWinch (Model 912) on our trailer around 1992. Since then I've had to replace a $6 gear (drive gear on the motor) because wasn't smart enough to release the tension on it once the boat was on the trailer. I have no doubt at all that there are better made ones out there than the PowerWinch, but here I am 10 years later and it still puts the boat on the trailer without any problem at all. So I have to say that it is a reliable device. The cost was right on it and parts are easily obtainable if needed. Works for me.
My selection criteria was pretty simple. I guessed at the weight of the boat, added some to my guess and then picked the one that was one model above what I needed in terms of single line pull capability - then I set it up for double line pull. It takes a couple of extra minutes to load the boat with the cable doubled back but look at it this way, mine's 10 years old now.
Thom
"I command thee, O fish of the ocean, rise to my bait"
I second Powerwinch. My boat and motor are similar in weight to yours. The smallest winch may be big enough, and the medium one should be fine. However, I went with the largest model (same as Thom has, I think, although the product number is different T4000). Not a lot more money (only $55 over the middle model), it seems worth it to have the additional strength. Plus, you may want to move to a bigger boat and you could take the winch with you.
You think leaving the tension on the winch buggered up the gear? I've always kept mine tight, mainly because I have 4-5" of slack in the safety chain. I need some slack to remove the 'S' hook from the bow eye. I would'nt want my boat rolling back and forward 4-5" while towing.
I never thought for a second that I could be damaging my new winch [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]
I suppose I could shorten up the safety chain if I changed from a 'S' hook to a shackel& bolt.Thanks for the info.
4 wheeler and Tyee,
I double winch up my boat that weights about the same as yours, have a powerwinch T2400, I'd also second the T4000. It lasted a few seasons single pulling it, but not for long, just needed a rebuild and cleaning, just new drag washers.
Tyee, I have a turnbuckle securing the bow to the trailer, plus the chain, that allows the tension to be removed from the winch. So far so good.
Once I winch the boat onto the trailer, I use a ratchet strap from the bow eye to the winch post to take the pressure off the winch cable, although I also leave the cable in place and locked/tightened down. When towing long distances, I add a second ratchet strap from the bow eye straight down to the trailer frame. It gets crowded with the winch snap and the safety chain in addition to 2 ratched straps, which have 4 S hooks, but it can be done.
You can get the ratchet straps at Walmart (automotive area) or Home Depot. I think they are sold for tying things like 4 wheel ATVs down in truck beds.
Mine are orange. I don't recall their breaking point rating, but you don't need 4,000 lb straps as you won't have that much weight pulling against the straps (particularly when you have the front strap holding the boat down in addition to rear tie-down straps).
I have Warn hums in my truck, had them in the last truck, and the truck before that too. They make good product. Maybe when this winch takes a dump on me I'll look at Warn.
When the gear went south I searched around for a place that had replacements. Found it in Virginia Beach. I called and the fellow on the other end asked - or more like he told me actually - about my habit of leaving the winch tight. He said it was what ate the gear. I had no reason not to believe him.
I have a hold down chain on my trailer that is connected at two points so it looks like an inverted "V". The back of it is tied down to the trailer behind the boweye, it goes up to the boweye where it is held with a shackel, then it goes on to the winch post where it is also tied (by tied I mean wraped and held with two bolts throgh links of the chain). It is not real tight but I take up the slack with a turnbckle that pulls the legs of the "V" together. I have it connected that way because of a comment that Dunk made to me several years ago. He mentioned something about holding the boat from comming through the back of the truck if I hit something head on. Something about the sight of the bow protruding through the back of the cab of the truck was in the conversation as I recall.
Harpoon, you go ahead and crank yours by hand, I'll flip the switch on mine. Everyone to their own. I just have to tell you though, it just used to almost tear my heart out to see my good wife struggeling with that winch handel and on a good hot day the poor old girl looked like she was about to die by the time the hull hit the bow stop. Buying the electric winch was the least I could do for her [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Thom
"I command thee, O fish of the ocean, rise to my bait"
Need electric trailer winch, what brand and size? 
