This way or that way

[idonthaveaname]

I have a 17' boat on a trailer and recently had to remove the winch post in order to re-weld the support bar (the little one on the bottom). My question is in regard to the placement of the winch post. Note the picture. When I re-installed the winch post I did it with the post leaning toward the hull-opposite of the original configuration. Then I got to thinking....Should the post lean toward hull or away from the hull. Dumb question? Dunno. It seems it is braced either way and I understand leverage and fulcrum and engineering but this seems to work better. Or maybe I have no idea as to what I am talking about.

What do you think?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: This way or that way

I see multiple things wrong...

1: the bow stop needs to just above the bow eye

2: the winch strap should be straight or VERY slightly angled down toward the winch... I would want yours to have just a little less angle

3: USUALLY the winch stand angles the other way but not always required... in this case however you need to turn it around to get everything else right

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: This way or that way

Thanks Smoke - The original config was as you say and the brace cracked. Probably coincidental--probably just age. In any case, will turn it around and adjust.

 

[Grandad]

Re: This way or that way

Thanks Smoke - The original config was as you say and the brace cracked. Probably coincidental--probably just age. In any case, will turn it around and adjust.

I agree. Turning it around will change the mount angle of the arm and may allow you to fix a few things. - Grandad

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: This way or that way

Thanks again. Oddly I found this while searching the web... Winch Strap

It's from Attwood and it shows the bow stop below the eye and the strap above like mine. The difference being the post is opposite of mine. It's no wonder people get confused with this stuff...makes ya wonder. Good thing there's this place!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: This way or that way

yep even the professional's get goofed up sometimes

happy boating

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: This way or that way

eggzackly

 

[Bayou Dave]

Re: This way or that way

I offer this to confuse you more. Mine came from the factory this way. Since this photo I have reversed the strap to come out under instead of over. With this configuration the winch post keeps the boat from going any further towards the tow vehicle in case of an accident.

 

[limitout]

Re: This way or that way

the way I see it is if it leans towards the hull if you had an accident it would peel the hull open but if it were angled away from the hull like it normally is then it might get scared up but hopefully the hull would go off to one side or the other and not be ripped open by it.

overall there is nothing that says it HAS TO go in any direction and as shown above, some are even "T" shaped

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: This way or that way

Here's my do-over....



My next project is to add some additional bunks to cradle the girl.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: This way or that way

Do-over looks good...except the safety chain wants to be anchored to the trailer tongue, not the post.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: This way or that way

I haven't added the safety chain for that purpose yet. The chain here is simply a back up for the winch strap. I will also add a chain to the frame. I personally think one can never be too safe. Thanks for the input! Appreciate the advice.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: This way or that way

Looks much better!

Long long time ago in the dark ages it used to be common practice to have the bow stop below the bow eye and many winch posts were built that way. But then again back then the boats weren't as large nor were they trailered as far as they are today.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: This way or that way

much much better... one suggestion tho... drop it down just a little to where it touched the bow eye.... then it will help limit bouncing and your strap will be at a better angle as well.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: This way or that way

Good point Smoke. My plans are to adjust the current bunk--level it with the trailer so when the trailer is level so it the boat--and add a couple of additional bunks toward the front middle to cradle the hull so she rides better. Once all that is complete I will adjust the bow bumper/assembly down to meet the bow hook.