Power Winch, what one?

[macojoe]

I have always hated them, just another thing to break! I have seen many friends with them and many junk ones. I bought a power winch brand off Craigslist a few years ago and used it for a season, when the main gear broke! I knew then why i never got one before.
But now that my health is a issue and Kenny is 75 with a bad knee I am thinking that if we want to get in the water more then once a week with my son we better have one!

So what you guys using them have? Is one brand better then the other?? I have found two so far, (i know there are many) one is a

Strongarm, http://www.easternmarine.com/stronga...-winch-5248703

The other is a power winch brand, http://www.easternmarine.com/powerwi...r-winch-p77912

I chose the next size up from my boat to be sure it can handle the weight, power winch has a better warrt. but less pulling power then the strongarm? Most i see are all power winch brand, but i did not like the problem with the ones i have seen or had.

Thanks guys!

[Destroyer]

MJ I've had both. The strongarm is made by Dutton-Lainson, who, just like powerwinch, is famous for thier winches. Both have their good and bad points.

The DL is by far the stronger of the two units. But if you want to operate it remotely, forget it. If you look at the picture of the winch on the link you posted, the white lever on the left side is the clutch. Flip it one direction and you have freewheel, flip it the other way and you have power in and out. The square lever with the two wires in it is the switch. They expect you to slip a small string into the little notch at the to-p and pull the string if you want the winch to operate remotely...It dosen't work. You have to stand there and manually hold the switch closed to make the winch work. It's not a bad thing, don't misunderstand... it's just not as conveinent as the Powerwinch.. The DL unit that i had was for my 25' John Allmand boat. A well built, heavy boat to say the least. The winch had zero problems pulling it onto the trailer and was still working whien I sold it the boat several years later. It would be my number one choice.

The main problem with Powerwinch is they are no longer made by the original company. They were taken over/sold a few years back. Since then their website sucks for parts replacement. If it's not a current model chances are it's no longer on their site. Still, they are a good unit, just not as strong as a DL, which has a well deserved reputation for making strong, quality, industrial winches.

Speaking of Powerwinch, I sent you that main gear you needed a few years back. If I recall you said the center shaft hole size was different and you needed to open it up. I take it you didn't do that. Send me your winch and the gear and I'll be happy to do it for you and send it back to you.

[step up here]

Is it possible to set your trailer up so you could power the boat on! maybe a little more trailer in the water, bring her on up a couple feet from the bow stop and a two speed cable winch will end the power winch trouble!

[phatdaddy]

had the same problems as i git older,mj. i took my winch cable and ran it through a pulley with a hook & back to the winch post. still a manual system, but half the effort. also i have a float on trailer so i only have to winch about 2-3 feet.

[macojoe]

Thanks Guys!!

step up here: Is it possible to set your trailer up so you could power the boat on! maybe a little more trailer in the water, bring her on up a couple feet from the bow stop and a two speed cable winch will end the power winch trouble!

phatdaddy: I had the same problems as i git older,mj. i took my winch cable and ran it through a pulley with a hook & back to the winch post. still a manual system, but half the effort. also i have a float on trailer so i only have to winch about 2-3 feet.

Destroyer MJ I've had both. The strongarm is made by Dutton-Lainson, who, just like powerwinch, is famous for thier winches. Both have their good and bad points.

Thanks Destroyer, I think i will give the Strong arm a shot, remote is not that important as i can drive on most of the way. It will just do the last few hard feet!

I forgot about that winch? Yea the gear was a different size and I was going to drill it, but never got to it. Bt I not even sure were it is now?? I will have to look around?

[captpete13]

my trailer has gone through several winches. I have gone through Powerwinch and Rule winches. Now I have a pair of 9000lb truck winches from Northern Tools. Probably overkill for you. But at work we have a trailer with a pair of Superwinch 5000lb winches. They work great. They bolted right on the trailer without modification. They have a fast line speed. And my favorite is that the remote has a 20' chord. You could sit in your car or still be in the boat while you winch up.