trailer winch post

[love2fish]

I got a new trailer a few weeks ago and have been working on getting it all set up. I was wondering what you guys think of this winch post set up:


My concern is, the winch is slightly lower than the tow eye- so it tends to pull the trailer "down" on the bow. When i get home and unhook from my truck- I have always backed the tension off the winch by a crank or 2, and I've found my boat literally lifts up a few inches... I cant drop my bunks any because the keel wont clear the front cross member on the trailer (stationary welded cross member).

Based on the winch post- I can not move the winch up on the bracket so i was wondering if I could add some kind of D-ring or I bolt towards the Y on the post that the winch cable would run through- raising the angle.  I thought maybe I could add something where the red circle is.



I have also thought that I could flip the bracket that has the winch and bunk stops and the cable would go over the top of the Y channel. Maybe a piece of Starboard or something else would be enough of a sliding piece.

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

Thanks!

[RickK]

My concern is, the winch is slightly lower than the tow eye- so it tends to pull the trailer "down" on the bow.

Ditto. Must be harder to crank up the last few feet.

I have also thought that I could flip the bracket that has the winch and bunk stops and the cable would go over the top of the Y channel. Maybe a piece of Starboard or something else would be enough of a sliding piece.

I think that is the best idea but I would put a roller (think pulley) of some type at the "Y" to keep the cable running smoothly. I think that the opposite of what is happening right now will be happening then - lifting the hull the last few feet.  Maybe notch the bracket?
Fitz and team to the white phone.

[fitz73222]

Replace the winch stand with a more upright vertical member that puts the winch in a position to pull straight towards the bow eye to slightly upward that nestles the bow eye just under the bow stop. You are putting a lot of stress on the hull pulling downward against the bunks or rollers. That trailer was set up for a low profile bass or ski boat or a boat that had a very low mounted bow eye. Measure the distance from the bow eye to the trailer frame and add 6-10" to it for the winch stand height. Easy fix and will save the hull...

[love2fish]

between downpours- I was able to flip the winch bracket and that improved the angle a lot.


Thinking about maybe moving the winch a few inches towards the Y.


Currently doing a search for some kinda pulley or slider... and have a different winch stand in the works if that doesn't work.

[RickK]

Looking better.  Still lifting the hull though. If you lift too much the boat will rock as you go down the road.

[Circle Hooked]

You need another winch stand, the way you changed it around is better but the already weathered cable is rubbing and you don't want to be near it when it snaps, been there   a strap is a much safer choice then cable.

[love2fish]

Got a new winch post! Much better angle and now I have a strap instead of the cable.


I'll snug it up next time I'm at the ramp.

[Blue Agave]

Thanks to Debby it may be a while till you go to the ramp.

[love2fish]

yeah- might not have to leave my yard!

I can only imagine the trash and other crap that is going to be floating around the bay after all this run-off.

[Blue Agave]

Trash and Treasure!

[Curious]

Straps are much better, just have to inspect them to make sure they're holding up.  The only other thing I would do is raise the winch a little more so the strap connects to the bow eye on an angle such that it doesn't rub on the roller.  If that's possible.  And make sure you get a safety chain.  Jamestown Distributors sells them or make up your own.  There should be a circle with a notch in the winch mount frame where the chain link locks in to after you determine the proper length.