What would be the pros and cons of using an electric winch other than added
expense?

tak wrote:
What would be the pros and cons of using an electric winch other than added
expense?




A burned-out winch.

On Mar 1, 9:50*am, HK wrote:
tak wrote:
What would be the pros and cons of using an electric winch other than added
expense?

A burned-out winch.


I have a Powerwinch electric winch on my trailer. If it ever dies I'd
replace it with a two speed manual winch. The appeal of an electric
winch is offset by the reality of the facts that you have one (rather
slow) speed and it's just another piece of electrical equipment and
wiring to maintain. If you do go with an electric get a Powerwinch.
I've seen guys struggling with the cheapo units that Wal-Mart and
Harbor Freight sell and they are toys.

One thing I see many people do when loading is that they back the
trailer in so far so that the stern of the boat is still floating
freely allowing the boat to drift sideways during haul out. I have a
sweet spot as far as depth goes that allows the boat to self center as
I winch it up and when done the boat is seated firmly on the trailer
before I haul out. This means that I usually have about ten to fifteen
feet of cable to retrieve so refer to my prior comment about electric
winch speed. It really only takes two minutes and usually I'm in and
out as fast as anyone else but people's perception seems to be
different if you are standing there with your finger on a switch as
opposed to cranking a winch handle link a deranged organ grinder.

Which leads me to other people's comments here about offering help.
Twice I've had someone offer "You want me to back it in more for you?"
Two different people but both times they were shirtless guys in wet
shorts that I suspect had a few beers out on the water. No Thanks.
Usually these are the guys you see trying to horse the boat over on
the trailer because it drifted sideways while they were hauling it
out.

Here in Mass. most ramps prohibit power loading and have signs posted
to that effect, like this one in Weymouth...

http://www.monkeybutler.com/boat/ramp.jpg


Steve P.

"Monkey Butler" wrote in message
...
On Mar 1, 9:50 am, HK wrote:
tak wrote:
What would be the pros and cons of using an electric winch other than
added
expense?

A burned-out winch.


I have a Powerwinch electric winch on my trailer. If it ever dies I'd
replace it with a two speed manual winch. The appeal of an electric
winch is offset by the reality of the facts that you have one (rather
slow) speed and it's just another piece of electrical equipment and
wiring to maintain. If you do go with an electric get a Powerwinch.
I've seen guys struggling with the cheapo units that Wal-Mart and
Harbor Freight sell and they are toys.

One thing I see many people do when loading is that they back the
trailer in so far so that the stern of the boat is still floating
freely allowing the boat to drift sideways during haul out. I have a
sweet spot as far as depth goes that allows the boat to self center as
I winch it up and when done the boat is seated firmly on the trailer
before I haul out. This means that I usually have about ten to fifteen
feet of cable to retrieve so refer to my prior comment about electric
winch speed. It really only takes two minutes and usually I'm in and
out as fast as anyone else but people's perception seems to be
different if you are standing there with your finger on a switch as
opposed to cranking a winch handle link a deranged organ grinder.

Which leads me to other people's comments here about offering help.
Twice I've had someone offer "You want me to back it in more for you?"
Two different people but both times they were shirtless guys in wet
shorts that I suspect had a few beers out on the water. No Thanks.
Usually these are the guys you see trying to horse the boat over on
the trailer because it drifted sideways while they were hauling it
out.

Here in Mass. most ramps prohibit power loading and have signs posted
to that effect, like this one in Weymouth...

http://www.monkeybutler.com/boat/ramp.jpg


Steve P.

Thanks for a helpful suggestion, I'll look into two speed winches.

"Monkey Butler" wrote in message
...


Here in Mass. most ramps prohibit power loading and have signs posted
to that effect, like this one in Weymouth...

http://www.monkeybutler.com/boat/ramp.jpg


Steve P.

-----------------------------------------------


I guess I am one of the few that used to power load all the time back in the
mid 90's. I had an old, '82 Century 27 foot Express Cruiser in a slip in
Scituate. MA (my second ocean boat). By the end of the first boating season
I was very proficient at loading and launching that thing by myself as it
seemed like every two weeks I had to haul it out to have something repaired.

The ramp at Scituate was concrete, steep and long. There were no signs
prohibiting it and most people power loaded. I'd back the trailer in until
it was almost fully submerged, then drive the boat onto it slowly, but with
authority before the wind or current could screw up the approach. On windy
days I'd crab towards the ramp, seemingly way off course to the trailer and
then, at the last minute, cut the helm over quickly and run the bow right up
to the "V" on the trailer. I'd leave the engine running at idle with the
shift in "forward", climb up over the windshield and cabin to the bow and
connect the trailer hook to the bow ring. Then, climb back down to the
helm area, kill the engine, raise the leg, climb back over the cabin and bow
and onto the truck bed, jump over to the ground and haul it out. Never got
my feet wet.

Usually got a "9" or "10" from the ramp area watchers, mainly because I was
doing it single-handed.

I've had more problems loading smaller boats, quite frankly.


Eisboch

On Mar 3, 1:32*am, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Monkey Butler" wrote in message

...

Here in Mass. most ramps prohibit power loading and have signs posted
to that effect, like this one in Weymouth...

*http://www.monkeybutler.com/boat/ramp.jpg

Steve P.

-----------------------------------------------

I guess I am one of the few that used to power load all the time back in the
mid 90's. * *I had an old, '82 Century 27 foot Express Cruiser in a slip in
Scituate. MA (my second ocean boat). *By the end of the first boating season
I was very proficient at loading and launching that thing by myself as it
seemed like every two weeks I had to haul it out to have something repaired.

The ramp at Scituate was concrete, steep and long. There were no signs
prohibiting it and most people power loaded. *I'd back the trailer in until
it was almost fully submerged, then drive the boat onto it slowly, but with
authority before the wind or current could screw up the approach. *On windy
days I'd crab towards the ramp, seemingly way off course to the trailer and
then, at the last minute, cut the helm over quickly and run the bow right up
to the "V" on the trailer. * I'd leave the engine running at idle with the
shift in "forward", climb up over the windshield and cabin to the bow and
connect the trailer hook to the bow ring. * Then, climb back down to the
helm area, kill the engine, raise the leg, climb back over the cabin and bow
and onto the truck bed, jump over to the ground and haul it out. * Never got
my feet wet.

Usually got a "9" or "10" from the ramp area watchers, mainly because I was
doing it single-handed.

I've had more problems loading smaller boats, quite frankly.

Eisboch

That's funny. If you look at the pic Steve posted it looks as if the
boat is power loading Look at the wash out of the back of the
thing...

Scotty from SmallBoats.com