Winch for a 2000 260DA on an EZ Loader bunk trailer

[FishOn]

Hi. Looking for advice on trailer winches. I have a 2000 260DA resting on 4 long bunks. The trailer currently has an old electric winch on it that worked for me once but the shop couldn't get it to work for some reason. I'm concerned that if I replace it with a new electric someone will steal it when I'm out overnighting somewhere and it's parked at the launch. Not sure but I assume this is generally a problem.? Looking at manual winches they don't have the capacity. The biggest one i seem to be able to find is a 3200# unit which doesn't seem like enough. I think the boat is likely around 7500# loaded. What do people us? Are the electrics OK even in lots with no dedicated security? Is there an effective way to secure the electrics so as to deter most?

 

[Lazy Daze]

3,200 is plenty. Generally speaking, look for a manual winch with about 1/3 the rating of the boat's weight. 2.500 is probably the norm - IIRC, that's what mine was, as well.

 

[FishOn]

Thanks Lazy Days. I know you know what you are talking about, but this isn't intuitive. How does a 2,500# winch drag a 7,500# boat across the carpet? I guess because ideally 5000# of the boat is floating? Do more people go electric with this size boat, or the contrary? If manual is theft generally a concern with electric, installation complexities, or is cost the general deterent?

 

[Lazy Daze]

I understand your dilemma and why it's confusing - most people ask the same question. In a nutshell, you're not lifting the boat vertically.

I used a manual winch on mine because all of the ramps I went to, I was able to power load. Probably never had the winch strap loosened more than a foot or two. For those rare times I couldn't power load, I just idled in as far as I could (actually, my wife always did the boat side)... then cranked till it started to become a chore... then backed the trailer in another couple of feet... cranked again... etc.

My Grady (which is markedly lighter) came with a powerwinch. I won't lie... although it's slow, it is kinda nice!

Without a doubt, though, most people are still going manual with this size boat... and even larger.

I can't speak to theft - it's not a concern where I boat. But I'm sure there are ways to deter theft... you just need to make it "not easy". Just off the top of my head, try googling for tamper resistant nuts.

 

[FishOn]

Thanks Lazy Daze. Still seems like it'd be a demanding task to drag across carpet. I do plan to target high water launch and retrieve as much as possible so that I don't need to get the truck wet. That said the distance to pull should be short. I may go with a 2500# electric as those aren't much different in cost to the manual ones. Otherwise I'll go with a 3200# 2 speed manual. I certainly appreciate you sharing your knowlege and experiences on the matter!