Recommended Hand Winch for 6,000 Pound Sailboat

Question:

I have a 6k sailboat on roller trailer - 3200lb winch heavy enough? Also what’s your pick for best winch? Duton or F2 or? Regards

asked by: Mark E

Expert Reply:

Both the Fulton XLT # F142425 and the Dutton-Lainson # DL15440 Hand Winches that you referenced are great winches that will do a nice job for your sailboat.

I recommend going with the Fulton XLT 2-Speed Trailer Winch # F142425. This is an excellent hand winch with 2 speeds and a shift lock design that will let you change gears without having to move the handle. A nice feature on this unit is that it actually includes a heavy-duty, 20 foot strap with safety hook that will wind cleaner than a standard cable. The winch also features a Z-Max 600 zinc finish that will provide superior corrosion resistance.

When looking at winch capacities, you want to keep in mind that the boat-size-to-winch capacity is generally 2 to 1. With good rollers and a shorter winch distance, this can increase to a ratio of 3 to 1. For example, since you have a 6,000 pound boat, you will just need a winch that at least has a 3,000 pound capacity. The 3,200 pound capacity on this Fulton winch will be perfect for your application.

I have attached a short video demonstration on this product that you can also check out.

expert reply by: Chris R