Electric Boat Trailer Winch Makes Loading Easy

Electric boat trailer winch make loading your boat quick and easy. These electric winches are designed for easy loading and unloading of your boat. A hand crank requires greater strength and effort and, depending on the weight of your boat, can make loading your boat more difficult than it needs to be. They also leave you with a free hand to guide the boat as needed.

If you're in the market for an electric boat winch, look for one that can handle the weight of your boat, including fuel and gear. Since your boat is in the water as you load, the trailer winch can handle a greater load capacity than its rated line pull capacity. The pull capacity of your winch should be at least three-quarters of the combined weight of your boat, motor, fuel, and gear. When you estimate the required load capacity of your trailer winch, keep in mind that the loading incline and other factors can also increase the load on your winch.

Even though you might be tempted to rely on your winch to secure your boat to the trailer, an electric marine winch is not designed to act as a tie-down. After loading your boat, unhook the cable from the boat and use separate tie-downs, such as racket straps, to secure your boat to the trailer.

Some electric trailer winches include a backup hand crank in case of winch failure, so even if your electric winch stops working, you can still load the boat manually.

Regularly inspect your winch line for damage or wear. Replace the cable if it shows signs of deterioration. A cable that breaks under load can lash through the air, creating a dangerous situation for anyone in its way. Some electric boat winches include a corded or wireless remote that allows the operator to stand clear of the winch in case of cable failure.

If you wind the cable back into the shaft when it's not under load, keep the line taut to prevent the cable from kinking or tangling inside the winch housing. Also note that a trailer winch is not designed for use as a hoist or lift. It is only approved for horizontal pulling or for pulling on a slight incline.