trailer winch

[Leland]

I need a new winch on my trailer. The one I have right now should have been decommissioned years ago. Looking for a good hand crank winch. I want to know what load capacity I need to winch up an oday 23. Also would like references to products folks have been pleased with. I need to get more weight on the tongue of the trailer or my boat is going to fishtail back into the water from the freeway!

[WanderingStar]

Find a book or website with trailer boat instructions. To adjust tongue weight you'll either need to move the axle further back or the boat farther forward.

[Leland]

thanks wandering star. in order to get the boat further forward I need to winch it. in order to winch it I need a winch that can handle the capacity of my vessel which my current one is incapable of doing thanks to the previous owner. I guess I didn't explain my situation enough which I apologize for. I need a big freaking winch so I have enough insurance and won't need to worry about this again.

[WanderingStar]

OK. I recommended reading a book on trailer boating so you would know about winch capacities. Websites that sell the equipment might also include that info. I bought a new trailer winch at walmart, but my boat is less than 1000lbs. A trailer shop might also give good advice. You should also check the rollers, if they don't turn easily, resistance increases.

[timebandit]

Winch info here Manual winches

Remember to have a chain to safty the boat to the trailer incase the winch fails when towing.

I tow with a 3/4 ton truck so I have about 200 pounds on the tounge and no sway. I carry the engine, fuel tank and rudder assy in the truck. I also move tools, and anchor to the floor up front in the cabin.

Originally Posted by Leland

I need a new winch on my trailer. The one I have right now should have been decommissioned years ago. Looking for a good hand crank winch. I want to know what load capacity I need to winch up an oday 23. Also would like references to products folks have been pleased with. I need to get more weight on the tongue of the trailer or my boat is going to fishtail back into the water from the freeway!

[heinzir]

Does your trailer have rollers or carpeted bunks? If you get a bigger winch and try to pull the boat while the boat is resting on the bunks you could very easily pull the bow eye (or even the bow itself) right out of the boat! Unless you have rollers, the boat needs to be partially afloat when winching. Bunks are float-on, float-off, not slide-on, slide-off.

[merc2dogs]

The way my old trailer was set up I needed to have the weight farther ahead, but the axles and winch tower were welded, and since my new house is only 30amp 110v service, my welders are at my buddies house 100 miles away, so moving the boat ahead or axles back was out.
I mounted a small truck box on the tongue and kept all the trailer emergency stuff, and spare boat things I had been keeping on the truck or boat.
Made it haul easier, and uncluttered both the boat and the truck, also reduced hearing "Crap I left it in the garage"
If the trailer design allows that, it may be a better plan.

Ken.

[resdog]

Good trailer supply house.

CHAMPION TRAILER PARTS SUPPLY