Winch post base plate warping
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: cape coral fl
Posts: 233

Here is a pic of the 5 month old winch post that was installed back in July. It has warped just like the previous one did last year when I purchased the trailer new. Should I expect this to continue with every post I install? If not, what is the fix. Base plate is 5x10 and its 32 inches tall


Last edited by rcurtis226; 12-02-2019 at 04:16 PM. Reason: Winch
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Sandy Hook Area, NJ
Posts: 221

Steel deforms from too much stress. If this is the 2nd winch post to deform like this, something is wrong with your setup. The boat might be too heavy, the rollers causing too much drag or the trailer isn't adjusted properly. Also, maybe you are not putting the trailer in deep enough and cantilevering the boat at the rear of the trailer when retrieving the boat. Something is putting too much stress on that winch stand.
#6
Senior Member

Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Pensacola, Fl
Posts: 11,521

You might prevent this by having two gussets welded between the back of the post and the single piece of metal forming the winch platform, forward strap and baseplate. There is way too much load on this winch post.
#9
Admirals Club 

Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Green Bay, WI
Posts: 597

Take a BFH and straighten it back out. Get a longer U-bolt and a thick piece of steel, 3/4" or 1". Paint it and bolt in the open area on the bottom. Make sure it is tight to the front lower corner. Be more careful winching the boat on.


#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lake Camanche, CA
Posts: 305

Normally I'd agree; however, that plate appears to be the weakest point so by doubling and adding a plate, something else has got to give...maybe the Bow Eye (?) . Got to find the cause rather placing a band-aid. 

#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: cape coral fl
Posts: 233





when I retrieve the boat at the ramp, we drive the boat up on the trailer til she's snug to the bow catcher, then cinch her down with the winch and a separate strap that is connected to the trailer directly below the eye. I think the problem is once we pull the boat out she's floating off the back of the trailer, and all of her weight is pulling on the winch. Does anyone have any other idea's.
#15
Admirals Club 

Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Green Bay, WI
Posts: 597

Are you winching it up farther than where it is sitting in the pictures and then it slides back when you pull it out of the water? If so, try only winching it as far as what it is now, it looks like the top of the bow eye is even with the top of the bow stops. Don't over tighten the winch strap, only put just enough tension to hold it in place while you pull it out.
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: cape coral fl
Posts: 233

I'm able to drive the boat up to the bowcatcher without any issue. And, once I snug the bow to the bowcatcher, I leave the motors running in forward idle to eliminate the need for the winch to have to drag the boat up bunks. Then I attach another strap immediately below the eye and on the trailer eye. I think the problem is there is too much of the boat that's floating when we begin to pull the boat and trailer out of the water. I just don't know how to eliminate that.
#17
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Annapolis, MD
Posts: 11

If the whole boat is floating when you pull up the the catcher, and you snug up the winch in that position, when the boat sits down on the trailer it is going to slide back some. This will pull harder on your winch and bracket, and could cause the issue you are having.
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: cape coral fl
Posts: 233

Are you winching it up farther than where it is sitting in the pictures and then it slides back when you pull it out of the water? If so, try only winching it as far as what it is now, it looks like the top of the bow eye is even with the top of the bow stops. Don't over tighten the winch strap, only put just enough tension to hold it in place while you pull it out.
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: cape coral fl
Posts: 233

If the whole boat is floating when you pull up the the catcher, and you snug up the winch in that position, when the boat sits down on the trailer it is going to slide back some. This will pull harder on your winch and bracket, and could cause the issue you are having.