Whether you're replacing a winch or putting a winch on a newly-built boat trailer, choosing the size of winch that's right for your boat and trailer can make a substantial difference in how your day at the boat ramp goes. An undersized winch can leave you struggling to power onto your trailer without damaging boat or trailer, and an oversized winch might be good someday, but for now, it's a waste of money you could spend adding essentials to your boat. Boating should be fun, not stressful; the right winch can help.
Items you will need
Calculator
Boat owner's manual
Trailer owner's manual
Motor operator's manual
Step 1
Select a winch based on the weight, not the length, of your boat. Don Casey, the BoatUS expert on all things nautical, advises readers to "Choose a winch that has a capacity rating of at least half the combined weight of your boat, motor and gear." Casey continues, "Most trailers have a standard winch assembly bolt pattern, so if your winch is inadequate, you can replace it easily." (See References 1)
Step 2
Calculate a "curb weight" for the trailer, motor and boat. This information is usually available in the manual for your boat, the manual for your motor and the manual for your trailer. Use the calculator to add the weight of those three items: boat (2,500 pounds) + motor (460 pounds) + trailer (920 pounds) = 3,880 pounds.
Step 3
Estimate the amount of gear, gas, food and drinks you carry when you go boating. Few people carry 100 pounds of gear per person. Gasoline weighs 6.25 pounds per gallon; multiply the higher figure by the capacity of your gas tank to determine the weight of fuel: 10 gallon tank x 6.25 pounds per gallon = 62.5 pounds. Add 50 pounds of miscellaneous gear and the total is 112.5 pounds. (See References 2)
Step 4
Add the weight of the trailer, the boat, the motor and the gear: 3,880 pounds + 112.5 pounds = 3,992.5 pounds.
Step 5
Divide the total weight by two: 3,992.5 / 2 = 1,996.25 pounds. Based on Casey's recommendation, this is the minimum size winch you should have on your trailer.
Warnings
- Don't depend on your winch to keep your boat on your trailer: use tie down straps. Depending on your winch alone is a sure recipe for some not-so-funny slapstick.
Tips
- An accurate weight of trailer, gear and boat can be obtained from a truck stop that has a truck scale for just a few dollars. Load your boat with the gear, load the boat onto its trailer (unless it's there already) and tie the boat down before heading to the scale.
References
Tips
- An accurate weight of trailer, gear and boat can be obtained from a truck stop that has a truck scale for just a few dollars. Load your boat with the gear, load the boat onto its trailer (unless it's there already) and tie the boat down before heading to the scale.
Warnings
- Don't depend on your winch to keep your boat on your trailer: use tie down straps. Depending on your winch alone is a sure recipe for some not-so-funny slapstick.
Writer Bio
Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history.
