| c boat trailer winches make loading your boat | | | | tie-down. After loading your boat, unhook the |
| quick and easy. These electric winches are | | | | cable from the boat and use separate tie-downs, |
| designed for easy loading and unloading of your | | | | such as racket straps, to secure your boat to the |
| boat. They also leave you with a free hand to | | | | trailer. |
| guide the boat as needed. On the other hand, a | | | | Some electric trailer winches include a backup |
| hand crank requires greater strength and effort | | | | hand crank in case of winch failure, so even if |
| and, depending on the weight of your boat, can | | | | your electric winch stops working, you can still |
| make loading your boat more difficult than it | | | | load the boat manually. |
| needs to be. | | | | Regularly inspect your winch line for damage or |
| If you're in the market for an electric boat winch, | | | | wear. Replace the cable if it shows signs of |
| look for one that can handle the weight of your | | | | deterioration. A cable that breaks under load can |
| boat, including fuel and gear. Since your boat is in | | | | lash through the air, creating a dangerous situation |
| the water as you load, the trailer winch can | | | | for anyone in its way. Some electric boat winches |
| handle a greater load capacity than its rated line | | | | include a corded or wireless remote that allows |
| pull capacity. The pull capacity of your winch | | | | the operator to stand clear of the winch in case |
| should be at least three-quarters of the combined | | | | of cable failure. |
| weight of your boat, motor, fuel, and gear. When | | | | If you wind the cable back into the shaft when |
| you estimate the required load capacity of your | | | | it's not under load, keep the line taut to prevent |
| trailer winch, keep in mind that the loading incline | | | | the cable from kinking or tangling inside the winch |
| and other factors can also increase the load on | | | | housing. Also note that a trailer winch is not |
| your winch. | | | | designed for use as a hoist or lift. It is only |
| Even though you might be tempted to rely on | | | | approved for horizontal pulling or for pulling on a |
| your winch to secure your boat to the trailer, an | | | | slight incline. |
| electric marine winch is not designed to act as a | | | | |