best winch for trailer for launching 8m rib

[iandl]

having been caught out by the winch handle i'm looking at replacing my hand wind strap winch......current one does the job but dont like the free wheeling spinning it does and now looking at replacing it......
i would prefer not to have a 12v supply but will do if a powr winch is whats recommended

ideal would be a 2 speed hand winch of some sorts

any recommendations?

alos considering a recover style auto latch system i saw somewhere but cant for the life of me find the link


Ian

[Hightower]

My winch has a removable handle that I take off when paying out the hook. Would this not be a soloution?

[iandl]

Originally Posted by Hightower

My winch has a removable handle that I take off when paying out the hook. Would this not be a soloution?

I possibly could but it needs a socket and wrench .......bit of a pia doing it but worth it i suppose to a brocken wrist........just wondering about other options

cheers

Ian

ps the seat and backrest molds are done .......just need some home time ....and the LR's running ...things are looking up

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by iandl

I possibly could but it needs a socket and wrench .......bit of a pia doing it but worth it i suppose to a brocken wrist........just wondering about other options

cheers

Ian

ps the seat and backrest molds are done .......just need some home time ....and the LR's running ...things are looking up

I had one like this, the handle comes off on a sliding clip two speed etc and I fitted 10 m of webbing to it.
It was still a pain so I went electric

http://www.autow.co.uk/trailer_parts...info_4051.html

Jim

[iandl]

Originally Posted by bedajim

I had one like this, the handle comes off on a sliding clip two speed etc and I fitted 10 m of webbing to it.
It was still a pain so I went electric

http://www.autow.co.uk/trailer_parts...info_4051.html

Jim

Cheers Jim,
Autow is where i got the last one from .......I looked at it at the time and dismissed it cause of price ........might get another look now though ....

matter of interest what have you got now .....any pics?

thanks

Ian

[Mollers]

I had a removable handle on a previous Indespension trailer, someone nicked it. Surely with a modicum of sense, it's possible to avoid a clout from a fixed handle.

[wavelength]

Fulton 2,600 lbs pull two speed, freewheel and a brake. Fixed handle.
Not impressed with removable handles esp when I get a phone call like last weekend asking if I had such a handle cos they had travelled to the launch site near us and left theirs in the garage at home. Just one more bit of kit to lose/forget.

[iandl]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Surely with a modicum of sense, it's possible to avoid a clout from a fixed handle.

well i consider myself with a modicum of sense. The winch ratchet locking arm was a very poor fit under load, the winch was almost brand new, used 2wice ....i bought cheap (£40)and it suffered from a pish locking lever .....the boat was fully winched up onto the trailer when it went bang and i couldnt hold it and took a slap ....all happened in milliseconds ...it wont happen again.
Even looking at it now it appears to look and work fine but when theres a load on it its a different matter, just too sloppy made ...

hence the listing for a decent tried and tested winch



I

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by iandl

well i consider myself with a modicum of sense. The winch ratchet locking arm was a very poor fit under load, the winch was almost brand new, used 2wice ....i bought cheap (£40)and it suffered from a pish locking lever .....the boat was fully winched up onto the trailer when it went bang and i couldnt hold it and took a slap ....all happened in milliseconds ...it wont happen again.
Even looking at it now it appears to look and work fine but when theres a load on it its a different matter, just too sloppy made ...

hence the listing for a decent tried and tested winch



I

Yeah, bin it and get a decent one. As mentioned, i'd not bother with a removable handle. I have little faith in winch ratchet mechanisms and wouldn't ever haul out relying on the winch alone as I see many doing.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Mollers

I had a removable handle on a previous Indespension trailer, someone nicked it. Surely with a modicum of sense, it's possible to avoid a clout from a fixed handle.

It's removable! Put it in your car like I do

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Yeah, bin it and get a decent one. As mentioned, i'd not bother with a removable handle. I have little faith in winch ratchet mechanisms and wouldn't ever haul out relying on the winch alone as I see many doing.

I use a ratchet strap before I slid down and haul up the slip. Have to be careful though as one of my "helpful" crew removed it just prior to launch yesterday.

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Hightower

It's removable! Put it in your car like I do

Complete with your folding trailer

[iandl]

Originally Posted by Mollers

I have little faith in winch ratchet mechanisms and wouldn't ever haul out relying on the winch alone as I see many doing.

interesting ...what do you use as well as the winch .....



I

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by bedajim

Complete with your folding trailer

No folding trailer these days old bean

[Chris]

I guess a lot depends on your trailer and how its set up but on both my previous rib and this one then the winch is virtualy redundant as I just drive the boat on to the trailer leave the engine in forward with just enough power to hold the rib in place then just clip on the strap at the front. I do the same when launching use the engine to hold the rib on the trailer whilst I unclip the winch then just cut the throttle and it slides off.

Looks very good when you get it right

[wavelength]

I guess a lot depends on your trailer and how its set up

I think it depends more on where you launch and how many different sites you may visit during a season. No two are ever the same and some are most definitely unlike any other venue A good winch is one of the most important bits of kit on the outfit in lots of places and life is very very difficult without a good un. At others its a piece of **** and you drive on and off with no problems, but it would be ever so boring just going to easy places wouldnt it.

[jwalker]

[Chris]

Originally Posted by wavelength

but it would be ever so boring just going to easy places wouldnt it.

Indeed, but I can't imagine many people trying to launch an 8 meter rib of the slide of the slipway like I used to do with my 5.5 (after reading your tips on how to of course Dave)

Of course a winch is essential I was simply offering my method that I use when beach launching in Cornwall or the bottom of Beachley slip on the Bristol channel which is probably the worst slip I use and could never be referred to as an easy slip.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Chris

I guess a lot depends on your trailer and how its set up but on both my previous rib and this one then the winch is virtualy redundant as I just drive the boat on to the trailer leave the engine in forward with just enough power to hold the rib in place then just clip on the strap at the front. I do the same when launching use the engine to hold the rib on the trailer whilst I unclip the winch then just cut the throttle and it slides off.

Looks very good when you get it right

It's not the trailer that determines whether you need to winch, it's the depth of water.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by iandl

interesting ...what do you use as well as the winch .....



I

A short length of chain attached to the winch post and a snap shackle.

Are you taking the p***?