Which Winch and Why?

Now that you have selected your winch, it's time to mount it. Where you put it will depend on your specific boat and trailer. While they can often be bolted directly onto the trailer frame, sometimes it's necessary to install a mounting bracket in order for everything to line up properly. Pre-made brackets are inexpensive and easy to come by. The winch should be centered and straight on the trailer. A winch that is crooked or off-center will allow the cable or strap to load up on one side of the drum, which can cause all kinds of problems for you. The cable should wind onto the drum in tight, even rows. Make sure also that you have a straight, unobstructed line to the bow eye at all times and that the cable or strap does not chafe on the trailer frame when under load. The winch should be far enough forward to be able to pull the boat up snug with the bow stop or roller.

Steel cable or nylon strap? Nylon straps are essentially the same material as the seat belt in your car. They are generally easier on the hands and are fine for smaller boats. Cables are stronger than straps and better suited for larger boats. Cables can also be doubled by using a pulley block that will nearly double the weight capacity of the winch as opposed to a single line. Don't install more cable than you need, particularly on a manual winch. Every layer of cable on the drum robs you of a certain percentage of power. While this will not affect the weight capacity of the winch, it will make it harder to crank with each turn. Check your strap or cable for wear every time you use it and replace anything that is worn or frayed.

Trailer winches are designed for one purpose: pulling your boat onto the trailer. They are not designed to tie your boat down when trailering. Once the boat is winched into place, it should be secured to the trailer with a safety chain and trailer straps. When you are preparing to launch the boat, remove the safety chain and use the winch cable to prevent the boat from rolling backwards off the trailer while you are backing down the ramp. More than one captain has dumped his vessel onto the launch ramp as a result of this newbie mistake. You don't want to be that guy. This is especially important if your trailer is equipped with rollers as opposed to bunks and on particularly steep ramps. The problem with using the safety chain when launching is that if the boat does slide backward, it can snug up the chain, making it impossible to remove without winching the boat forward.

While it may not be the sexiest piece of gear you own, a well-maintained Trailer Winch may be your best friend at the end of the day, so choose it wisely and treat it well.