Re: Boat winch/weight capabilities ?????
I am looking into a new winch, my boat is a 24ft pontoon (1992 monark - 120hp). My boat net weight is roughly 2200lbs, so your saying a winch 50% of that weight? Maybe I am crazy....but I dont think I would put less than 2000lb winch on my trailer. Maybe you can help explain so I understand or help with what I am missing. Thanks for your help.
If you do the math and everything is in perfect alignment and perfect working order, the pull required would be roughly half the weight of your boat. Remember, I said perfect. A frozen roller or a bunk out of alignment could easily double the amount of pull required to get the boat on the trailer.
The other issue is the way they rate winches. For whatever reason, they rate boat winches using the diameter of the empty drum. Ever winch a boat on a trailer without some sort of cable or strap?
As we know, Winch Pull = Force (your shoulder) x the Radius of the winch pulley. If the pull requirements remain the same and the radius increases (cable getting wound back on the spool) you have to increase the force (your shoulder) to keep up with demand.
On your typical winch, the difference between the empty drum and a full drum is about half. Anyone who has ever winches a boat on the trailer can testify to the increased demand as the boat gets closer to the winch post.
Bottom line, the bigger the winch the easier it?s going to be on your shoulder. I personally don?t see saving $15 only to pull an arm muscle or have to take Uncle Ernie the gorilla wrester along every time you go out so he can winch the boat back on the trailer.
It?s your back. It?s your money.
