Winch Stand Replacement Help

[ShawnaKay1983]

Hey guys....My husband and I bought an older 85 Bayliner Capri to restore that has an equivilent age Escort trailer. The winch stand is bent (appears to have been jack-knifed pretty good) and the roller is broken as well. We think we could salvage the old winch as it appears to be fine; however, we haven't replaced a winch stand before and not sure what to buy, they dont appear to make any that look like this anymore so that could need replacing too. The measurement from tongue to the top of the roller is about 26". Could anyone give me some tips on what is the best route to take for replacing this whole assembly? Here are pics as well....I appreciate it

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Winch Stand Replacement Help

What a joke they installed on the front of your trailer! In my honest opinion, I think you should straighten the the winch stand and then box it. I don't know you or your husband nor if you can weld it if you can't then you will need to locate a welder to weld it for you, Mind you that is galvanized still so there are certain precautions that need to be taken prior to welding galvanized steel.

here's what I would do

1. I would probably use a come along to straighten the stand, should be pretty simple with a little motivation from a decent sledge hammer

2. you have two vertical pieces parallel to each other but they are weak unless you connect them in the front and back so I would fabricate two pieces to box the stand in and therefore make it probably twice as strong as it is now.

3. Use a flap disc on my grinder to clean the remaining galvanization from the existing stand where I plan to weld, both sides making sure I am in a well ventilated area probably with a fan on the work area to remove the fumes generated by the galvanization and heat.

4. Weld in the new boxing material.

5. Repaint the entire stand with cold galvanizing

Total job 1/2 day/4 hours and probably $30 in materials

The main reason why I say to repair the setup you have is I have never seen a setup like yours where the stand is spliced between three pieces of trailer frame and I think your going to have a hard time finding a winch stand to fit your application.

 

[skyking897]

Re: Winch Stand Replacement Help

We had an Escort trailer for a '89 Bayliner Capri some years ago. Had the same set up for the winch. I always wanted to move it forward a few inches but it meant some major alterations to the frame. I forget why, but I bolted 3" channel between the front edges of the vertical pieces. It really stiffened up the winch post. A lot easier than welding and almost everyone can use a drill and wrenches.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Winch Stand Replacement Help

What Lipp said. That's the easiest. I haven't seen a bolt on winch stand that would extend back far enough to catch the bow eye. Most winch stands mount to the tongue bar, but with the convergence of all the frame members at that point, it's too cluttered to bold something on. DON'T drill anything at that frame point of connection, you're asking for trouble. That thing can be straightened and properly reinforced by boxing without too much effort. I like Sky's suggestion of the 3" channel between the uprights, those you can drill when adding something like that. But I'm a weld it guy like Lipp, that would be my first choice.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Winch Stand Replacement Help

Lipp is dead on. Only thing I'll add is you may need some heat to bend it back straight. If you can't do this yourself, an independent welder should be able to do it in a couple hours time.

 

[ShawnaKay1983]

Re: Winch Stand Replacement Help

Thanks for the tips everyone!! Never have we ever owned a boat with this type of trailer either, so all the tips are very much appreciated! My husband can weld, but I'm not sure how well....I guess we shall see

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Winch Stand Replacement Help

Thanks for the tips everyone!! Never have we ever owned a boat with this type of trailer either, so all the tips are very much appreciated! My husband can weld, but I'm not sure how well....I guess we shall see

Well if hes like the rest of us then you better start looking for a replacement winch stand now

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Winch Stand Replacement Help

I bought a 40yr old boat/trailer combo a couple years ago that did not have a winch stand installed. Boat was tied to the trailer frame . After much searching on-line and inquiries here, I didn't come up with anything that would work for me so I decided to make my own. Here is a photo of the installation.

 

[ShawnaKay1983]

Re: Winch Stand Replacement Help

Looks great!! I dont think Rick is that talented...Lol! I've been looking at just buying a new stand, but having a tough time finding one to fit....

 

[byrddog]

Re: Winch Stand Replacement Help

Hey guys....My husband and I bought an older 85 Bayliner Capri to restore that has an equivilent age Escort trailer. The winch stand is bent (appears to have been jack-knifed pretty good) and the roller is broken as well. We think we could salvage the old winch as it appears to be fine; however, we haven't replaced a winch stand before and not sure what to buy, they dont appear to make any that look like this anymore so that could need replacing too. The measurement from tongue to the top of the roller is about 26". Could anyone give me some tips on what is the best route to take for replacing this whole assembly? Here are pics as well....I appreciate it

New to this so I don't know what I'm doing, but I have the exact, I mean exact problems. Can I use the stand as is because the bow of the boat still fits in the roller?

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Winch Stand Replacement Help

New to this so I don't know what I'm doing, but I have the exact, I mean exact problems. Can I use the stand as is because the bow of the boat still fits in the roller?

I think you should start your own thread. More likely to get a response. This thread is a year old