Winch and winch strap

[dlandersson]

My 1997 Mac26X winch and winch strap gave up the ghost Sat when splashing my boat.

Any suggestions for a source to replace them?

[chipveres]

Warning: I am jaded because I live near Ft. Lauderdale. But with that said, any trailer shop should have them. Even Harbor Freight or Northern Tool.

Chip V.

[tlgibson97]

I got one from Bass pro, 1200lb or 1500lb I can't remember now, but it had the gear on one side. The first time I used it it flexed and pretty much chewed itself up. I ended up putting the old rusty one back on. It was ugly but was still strong and sturdy. I just put a new strap on it. If I was going to replace it I think I would go with a model with gear teeth on both sides of the spool.

[133bhp]

can get a 2000ilb two speed generic for $30 or so off ebay. been fine on mine. in fact I only use it as a glorified tie down once the boat once is on. I use a another small 600lb one looped over the top of the snubber to pull it horizontally, rather than fighting the geometry.

[dlandersson]

Good point: how strong should a Mac 26X winch be? 1,000 lbs.? 1,500 lbs.? 2,000 lbs.?

can get a 2000ilb two speed generic for $30 or so off ebay. been fine on mine. in fact I only use it as a glorified tie down once the boat once is on. I use a another small 600lb one looped over the top of the snubber to pull it horizontally, rather than fighting the geometry.

[Tomfoolery]

Good point: how strong should a Mac 26X winch be? 1,000 lbs.? 1,500 lbs.? 2,000 lbs.?

A perfectly valid question, for which I have no answer. I float my boat onto the trailer, and only winch it a little bit at the end. Not a lot of pull. I'm also concerned about pulling the bow eye out of the boat, but since I've never really had the need to pull very hard, I don't think there's much risk there (for me). Others may have shallower ramps where they can't get the trailer as deep, and hard winching may be necessary.

[Wind Chime]

I wouldn’t worry too much about pulling the tow-eye out.
I was towed by the coast guard in a 27 knot wind with 4 foot short breaking seas for an hour by this tow-eye, and after inspection could not even see any hairline gel cracks. It’s way stronger than I ever thought it would be. I was more worse for wear than the boat

tkanzler » Mon Apr 22, 2013 10:24 am
I'm also concerned about pulling the bow eye out of the boat, but since I've never really had the need to pull very hard, I don't think there's much risk there (for me).

[Tomfoolery]

Good to know. Thanks!

[seahouse]

I wouldn’t worry too much about pulling the tow-eye out.

X2

That's probably the strongest support point on any boat, when pulling parallel to the boat's axis. Pulling sideways, or back and forth on these....not so good, though. I supported the weight of the front half of the boat by this point alone when painting the bottom of the hull. (The stern end supported by two points at the transom). I was unsure, and cautious (overly, as it turns out) but there was absolutely no detectable movement (or sounds !). If I were expecting very severe conditions in a storm, I would trust this as a more secure attachment point than the cleats on the deck at the bow.

[wardski]

With our old Magregor 25 I installed a big two speed winch on the trailer and the first thing I did was pull the eyebolt on the boat out about 3/4 of a inch. I cut through the liner on the inside of the boat and found there was no backing plate on the the eyebolt! Just little washers about the size of the nuts. Had a terrible time getting the nuts off because they were pulled into the fiberglass. I installed a backing plate and large fender washers and never had a problem again.

Roger must have learned because (at least on the M) the eye bolt is a lot stronger. My friends 26M broke loose from its mooring during a storm and ended up on the beach. After we got it off beach we had to get it on the trailer in less than perfect conditions (2-foot breaking waves and a low tide on a very shallow ramp). We cranked so hard on the winch (even while powering with the engine) that we bent the winch handle badly. But there was no damage to the eyebolt or even the rest of the boat from the grounding (I think these boats are a lot stronger than we give them credit for). Should be the same with the X.

[dlandersson]

So what is the weight capacity of a Macgregor winch from the factory?

[vizwhiz]

There are several posts from last year that went very extensively into the strength of the winch and mods people have done...if you search for them, you'll find some very in-depth discussions, complete with geometric calculations of the weight of the boat on different ramp angles...

I cut through the liner on the inside of the boat and found there was no backing plate on the the eyebolt! Just little washers about the size of the nuts.

I just found this same thing on my '95 S boat cuz my bow eye was bent sideways. (I'm sure it goes with the major damage that was on the side of the boat).
Early X's bow eyes might be similarly weak due to transition of production from '95 S to '95 X.
Planning to add a backing plate.

[Tomfoolery]

So what is the weight capacity of a Macgregor winch from the factory?

1100 lb. It's a Dutton-Lainson DL1100A.

At least, that's what they last used. I don't know what the older ones are.

http://www.amazon.com/Dutton-Lainson-DL ... B001AJ7NGO

[dlandersson]

I just spent a few hours in a boat yard with lots of Macgregors and Macgregor trailers. The lowest rating I could find (Dutton) was 1200 lbs. The highest I found was 1500 lbs. Giving some consideration to the low water levels I picked up one at Bass Pro Shop (2000 lbs. - same form factor) Lowe had a nice 1500 lbs. one for $35.

Do NOT be in a hurry to throw out the original winch handle - ones that short are hard to come by. Suggestions are welcome.

So what is the weight capacity of a Macgregor winch from the factory?

1100 lb. It's a Dutton-Lainson DL1100A.

At least, that's what they last used. I don't know what the older ones are.

http://www.amazon.com/Dutton-Lainson-DL ... B001AJ7NGO

[DaveB]

I use this 2 speed winch on my trailer. I use the lower gear all the time to pull tight on the roller.2500lbs pull,
http://www.amazon.com/Dutton-Lainson-DL ... 925&sr=1-2
Dave