Almost lost my boat! (Winch problems)

[beene]

Agreed

G

[MAC-A-TAC]

Hello,

I did a make over of my 2007 trailer and posted the results on "2007 Factory Trailer Make Over". During the first year of use, before the make over, I did notice that the winch base was starting to deform as it pulled on its mounting bolts, my temporary solution was to add two fender washers to each mounting bolt to spread out the applied force. I always had the trailer as far down the ramp as possible so as to winch the boat as little as possible on the bunks so, in this case, its not operator error its just "marginal" equipment.

In someone elses post they metioned their hitch ball nut coming loose because of the friction between the hitch and ball. I make sure my hitch ball has a film of grease to eliviate much of this friction, hence I have not had the need to retighten the hitch ball nut.

MAC Out.

[Tomfoolery]

I don't remember this being mentioned in this thread, and apologies in advance if it was, but it's well understood around here that when you bring the boat into the vee-cushion at the ramp and pull the boat out, the geometry causes it to tilt away, necessitating the 'Mac Bump' be used to bring it home again.

BUT, if you don't slacken the winch line before putting the stern in the water, the line will tighten further as the boat floats off the trailer, which can bend the winch, and/or pull the bow eye out of the hull.

I always remove the safety chain and put about 6" or so of slack in the winch line and reengage the ratchet (so it doesn't slide off the trailer onto the ramp due to the generous use of Liquid Rollers ) before it hits the water.

[cptron]

I too have had to replace my winch recently and the trailer is only a year old. I alway pull far enough down so the pull on the winch is minimal and empy ballast as soon as the boat clears the water. The problem with the winch being too small and all the applied forces I don't think anyone has mentioned that those forces are greatly increased as the water being emptied shift astern which puts more weight out over the overhanging stern.

I like retcoastie's mod and am going to try this mod out to see if I can keep the boat that much farther forward to reduce some of the added strain. This mod also changes the angle of strain on the bolts and mounting plate which appears to be stronger and not pulling the plate away from the trailer.

It is late, hope you can understand my rambling.