Winch Size Recommendations

[woody619]

I have a 26' Sea Ray, It'll probably weight 7-8,000 lb's loaded. How big of a winch do I need? I was thinking of something on the lines of 2,500-3,200 from reading here. It's my first boat, so I'm not really sure. It's in the front yeard waiting to get wet. Thanks

 

[dingbat]

Re: Winch Size Recommendations

A word of caution when selecting the proper sized winch for your boat. Winches are rated with an empty cable spool.

As you crank cable on the spool the diameter of the spool increases and your winches capacity decreases. By the time you have all the cable back on the spool your actual winch may be only capable of lpulling maybe a 1/3 of it rated capacity.

Case in point. I have a 22' boat that weighs @5200 lbs. I have a #4,200-eletric winch on it. The winch does fine with an empty spool but it really starts to struggle the last 6 feet or so. Buy the time the boat is in position the winch is all but max?ed and its luck to be putting out #1200 lbs.

A good friend of mine has 24' Hydra-Sport Center Console. Weight @ #7000lbs. He has a #6,000 eletric winch on his and it really struggles the last 6 feet or so.

 

[DJ]

Re: Winch Size Recommendations

My general rule of thumb has always been 1-1/2 times boat weight.

 

[woody619]

Re: Winch Size Recommendations

Ok, but why in the post referenced below did Bondo say a 1,000 lb winch might be okay for a 5,000 lb. boat. Did I misread that? Just want to make sure before I put money into a winch. Thanks

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=383887&highlight=winch+size

 

[e-coast mike]

Re: Winch Size Recommendations

Wow, thats a horse of a boat to winch up!
Forget the 3,200 winch, that wont do it.
I know, I had a PW3200 and it choked hauling my 21 footer out. You need some major muscle.

I placed a few pic's of my Rule T84R (hope they show), it's way overkill for my boat, but hey, have you ever heard anyone say " I wish I had a smaller winch", I think not.
I yank my boat in 5min and don't even think about less power as the spool fills.

I incorporated a home-made fairlead in my setup to keep the cable from chaffing on the edge of the winch mounting plate.
I highly recommend getting a heavy duty quality winch for that size boat, no cheap junk chain-store stuff. You'll also need dual tow vehicle batteries, because big winches are thirsty. You can put one on the trailer tongue if no room under hood. A bit of work to set it all up right, no doubt, but your efforts will pay over and over.

e-coast

 

[dingbat]

Re: Winch Size Recommendations

I placed a few pic's of my Rule T84R (hope they show), it's way overkill for my boat, but hey, have you ever heard anyone say " I wish I had a smaller winch", I think not.
I yank my boat in 5min and don't even think about less power as the spool fills.

Rule has discontinued their winches. Called the other day to get parts for my T42R. Sold all spare parts stock to a third party. Was told by the third party that when the parts are gone, their gone.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Winch Size Recommendations

Ok, but why in the post referenced below did Bondo say a 1,000 lb winch might be okay for a 5,000 lb. boat. Did I misread that? Just want to make sure before I put money into a winch. Thanks

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=383887&highlight=winch+size

Although a bit conservative, I can see needing somewhere around #1k of ?pull? to get a #5K boat on the trailer.

Weight = Force X Radius

As I stated above, winches are rated with an empty spool. As the cable is wound on the spool, the ?radius? of the spool goes up. As the spool?s radius increases, so does the weight on the winch.

Example, winch is rated for #1,000 with an empty spool that is 1? in diameter (0.5? radius). When all the cable is on the winch the spool is 4? in diameter (2? radius). The full spool rating of the same winch would be #250