Question

The Trailer Boat Experts

Is there a way to make my electric winch go faster when it brings my boat up on the trailer? N. Newson, Boston, MA

N. Newson

Answered on: 6/2005

MIKE: There is a line speed measurement on electric winches. The speed is measured at the winches capacity and usually ranges from 8-15 fpm (feet per minute). There are factors that affect the capacity; the weight of the total load is a measure of capacity. If you are close to the winches full capacity that will slow it down some. The other factor is the incline of the ramp that you are hauling the boat on. The steeper the ramp the greater the load placed on the winch, therefore the greater the capacity demand placed on the winch to slow it down. The recommended formula for choosing the correct winch is at least half the combined weight of the boat/motor/fuel and gear. To answer your question, you probably need to buy a more powerful winch. I can not tell for certain without the boat and winch specifications.

the Trailer Boat Expert: Mike