Winch not pulling straight!

Zagato

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I have put a new winch on my trailer but it will pull upwards and not straight is this a problem, boat weighs a tonne!

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It will only be pulling upwards for the last bit of travel. When the boat is first being drawn onto the trailer the pull will be only a few degrees above horizontal I would think?

Should not matter that much.
 
Try it & see.

If it is an issue (and I doubt it) could you wind the cable onto the drum the other way so that it feeds into the bottom of the drum? But beware, the ratchet mechanism may not allow this without modification.
 
My only concern would be that the winch and bow seem so close. That in turn leads to the steep angle of pull over the last few inches.

Its going to need more effort and more strain on the wire at that angle than if horizontal.... but better up a bit rather than down.
 
It would still pull it up Rushy, just concernd as it's pulling the eye up it maybe not so good for the fixing point as the force is in the wrong direction.

Yes Vics it would help if the winch was further away!

The hardest point of pull is at the end and it's pulling it up not straight the bow recovery point (or whatever you call it!) is a bit DIY in the first place. I have already put an additional block of wood on the inside over the existing smaller spreader plate and bolt!

I'll have another look at it to see what I can do :eek:
 
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You could reverse the winch on the mounting, that might give a better angle, just means changing position to wind in, your back to the boat instead of facing the bow if right-handed.

ianat182
 
You could think about a snatch block on a suitable length of rope or even chain. Secure to a strong point on you trailer and you can adjust the length of line to suit your prefered angle of pull.
 
Try Searush's suggestion first of winding the strop on the other way.

Otherwise, the only real solutions are shorten the winch post (will need welding and re galvanising) or move the position of the eye on the boat.

How did the old winch differ? Presumably you had exactly the same problem before?

If the winch post on the trailer is moveable, try moving it forward a bit, then insert a spacer block so the snubber still meets the bow of the boat.
 
Winch pull

I don't imagine it is a huge problem. You have obviously got the boat up to the front vee block OK. (unless you have just fitted the winch and not actually winched yet)
If the latter is the case try pushing the boat back (with a jack) then winching it back into place.If it is a problem then the previously mention fixes might be OK. If you can move the winch on its mount further forward this will help a little to improve angle.
I would suggest a safety chain from the U bolt on the boat to the winch or post. This should pull in a straighter line so be more effective. Your ropes will pull the bow down but not so good at holding the boat forward. (the angle is wrong)
When I first got my TS it have a u bolt with nuts on the inside. The bolt in the U was solid 3/8 inch metal but it had been turned down to fit a 5/16 nut. The step stopping the U bolt pulling through the hull.
I used this U bolt as a mooring attachment and it snapped off. The sideways motion apparently fatiguing the bolt at the diameter reduction. I mention this only to point out that those U bolts aren't as strong as they look. good luck olewill
 
Although the winch is new I've no doubt it would pull the boat up, it's the stress on the recovery eye point that concerns me as the angle is wrong :eek:

Thanks for the warning on the U Bolt :eek:

The simplest solution as SeaRush says is to see if the drum will work practically the other way with some modification. I know the instructions say it has to be around this way, will call the manufacturers today to see what can be done. Moving the post is of course obvious but forward is not an option and lowering it is a major pain in the ass!

I was really wondering if others have a similar angle or are they all straight - it puts a lot of stress on the bow/fixing point at the wrong angle for the last few feet.

I'll report back that I have either sussed it or the bolt has ripped up through the hole lol!
 
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Just called Fulton dealers and the winch strap can used and wound round the drum both ways - Phew. The list is getting shorter ;) Put the windows in yesterday and finished painting the spars etc

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Just the hull to Toplac & antifoul, new bearings in one wheel, sort brakes, then get her in the water I'll finish the interior in the summer!
 
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Yes it was originally an outboard boat then an inboard was put in and the last owner made a mess cutting out the hole to put an outboard back in! 3 layers of filler and sanding should sort it.

I have half done the interior just need to line a bit more of it but no rush on that and sort the hull out and she's ready to go :D It came with a two year old engine and new bespoke trailer so the wheels don't get wet. The engine and trailer sold it to me as I fancied a project having sold my Land Rover rebuild!

She's not the best sailor in the world but perfect with a big cockpit and bilge keels for Chichester Harbour and a stable lump for the family.

Only 110 were made as they became too expensive. It's the biggest of the Drascombes and quite rare now...So much easier and cheaper to use than a yacht. Great to be able to lift your own mask and work on it outside your house for instance.

This one is a regular visitor to the Arctic

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It's hefty boat to trailer sail unlike the smaller Coaster and Lugger of course!

2 1/4 tonnes in total. Trailor is a tonne!

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Nice photos

Just one little tip for your trailer spare wheel. Get hold of a stub axle and mount that on the trailer. Then get another hub with bearings. You mount the spare wheel on the stub axle. It gives you spare bearings as well as spare tire. Of course there is much to be said for carrying the spare in the towing car. reducing towed weight. Good luck olewill
 
Thanks Will, thats a good idea. The weight of the whole thing is the snag e.g. manouvering it in front of the house (have to use a winch!) and having to use proper slipways whereas the lighter Coaster with minimal draft can be launched off a beach and pushed off the trailer almost!

Towing weight isn't a problem as I splashed out on a new Defender last year - my toy for life....:D But have to say It's a rare occasion when the owner is more worried about his vehicle making it than the trailer :rolleyes: Shoudn't laugh.........:eek:

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I just remind myself of one that tows boats for a living 240,000 miles in 3 years one gearbox 2 clutches and never let him down but then it is a Land Rover :o
 
Thanks Will, thats a good idea. The weight of the whole thing is the snag e.g. manouvering it in front of the house (have to use a winch!) and having to use proper slipways whereas the lighter Coaster with minimal draft can be launched off a beach and pushed off the trailer almost!

Towing weight isn't a problem as I splashed out on a new Defender last year - my toy for life....:D But have to say It's a rare occasion when the owner is more worried about his vehicle making it than the trailer :rolleyes: Shoudn't laugh.........:eek:

IMG_2627.jpg


I just remind myself of one that tows boats for a living 240,000 miles in 3 years one gearbox 2 clutches and never let him down but then it is a Land Rover :o

Nice Jalopy Zagato that should manage the boat OK on the open road. English isn't it? Sorry just being catty. The boat looks positively huge on the trailer but then they always shrink when you put them in the water. Good luck with the boat lets have some photos of your first adventure. olewill
 
I have just had a good drool over your tug.......

Carousel sits on the trailer with the winch pretty much as yours is, I have had no problems. The previous owner said to grease the bow snubber well but I use washing up liquid which is pretty slippy and washes off when I jetwash the boat and trailer after recovery.

My snubber is mounted on the same post as the winch as yours is, but it's adjustable uinlike yours. At a pinch I could extend the distance between the snubber and the winch post and move the whole lot forwards a bit but have the boat in the same place when it's abainst the snubber. It looks OK in my head!
 
Yes old jalopy Will ;) I like the look of old character things hence the boat! I still use my old Series Landy on a near regular basis - great fun :D Just a shame the build quality on the new one isn't as good as in 1962 when my Series 2 was built :rolleyes:

Aquaplane the trailer is a one off made bespoke to the boat so I suppose that's why they didn't figure in adjustment. The middle section has hard rollers and is hinged just behind the road wheels which allows the boat to slip in the water without having to get the wheels wet. It is however very long from the back wheels and the guy that had it made took out a petrol pump with it the first time he took it on the road :eek:

The picture above shows an electric winch which was just put on to sell (not powerful enough!) Now i have swapped the strapping on the hand winch it is pulling straight ;)
 
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