Boat Winch Recommendation for a 20ft Pontoon Boat With No Rollers

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Question:

I have a 20 ft pontoon with no rollers on the trailer will a 1200lb winch suffice?

asked by: Bess

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Expert Reply:

When it comes to choosing a winch for a boat trailer, there are a few general rules we can use. The boat-size-to-winch capacity is generally 2 to 1. With good rollers and short winching distances, the ratio can increase to 3 to 1 and with wooden bunks and long winching distances, you will want to reduce the capacity to 1 to 1.

When your're loading and unloading much of the weight is supported by the water, which will lighten the load. However, it is better to go with a winch with higher weight rating than a lower one. Since your pontoon boat does not have rollers, I recommend the Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch 2,500 lbs # DL14825 because it will work great for you if you have good carpeted bunks and the winching distance is not excessively long. The strap, # DL24249, is sold separately.

If your bunks are worn or the boat ramp you use requires a long winching distance, then the highest capacity hand winch that we carry is the Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch, TUFFPLATE Finish, Two Speed with Direct Drive, Hand Brake # DL14881 and it requires cable # DL24104. Cables are not exactly ideal for marine applications, so if you prefer a winch with a strap, our highest rated winches that come with straps are 3,200lbs like part # F142425.

I have attached a link to our winch help article for you to check out. I have also linked you to all of our hand winches for you to look through.

expert reply by: Timothy G

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Answer 1

I would be happy to help you! When it comes to choosing an electric winch or any winch for a boat trailer, there are a few general rules we can use. The boat-size-to-winch capacity is generally 2 to 1. With good rollers and short winching distances,…

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Answer 2

We have some very similar winches to the Shelby 5466 that you have but we do not carry Shelby winches any longer. The Shelby is a 2 speed winch with a 2,300 lb capacity so for a very similar winch we have the Dutton Lainson 2 speed winch part…

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Answer 3

I looked up your trailer jack info and it was a 1,600 lb hand winch that hasn't been made in quite some time. Most refer to it as a "vintage" hand winch. Sounds like you got a lot of life out of but there's nothing we offer beyond…

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Answer 4

Because I don't know how your specific trailer is designed with the scissor lift I don't know if the Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch w/ Automatic Brake - TUFFPLATE Finish - 2,500 lbs #DL15721 will be large enough capacity to safely lift your 2,800…

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Answer 5

I would be happy to give you a recommendation to replace your Shelby 5352 winch, and can understand wanting an exact replacement, but that is an impossibility due to the fact Shelby is out of business. Manufacturers don't make exact replicas of…

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Answer 6

There is a winch I recommend replacing your Shelby 5352 with the best option being the Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch with Automatic Brake #DL14927. This is a 1,500 lb capacity winch (you mentioned 2,500 lbs for capacity, though a higher capacity does not…

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Answer 7

The Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch w/ Automatic Brake - TUFFPLATE Finish - 2,500 lbs #DL15721 you were looking at does not include a cable or strap. You will need either the Hand Winch Cable with Safety Hook 5/16" Diameter x 25' Long #DL24102 or…

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Answer 8

Generally when picking out a winch for a boat trailer the ratio is 2 to 1 meaning you would need a winch with roughly half the capacity as the weight of the boat. With good rollers and a short winching distance the ratio increases to 3 to 1, but with…

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Answer 9

Great question. As a general rule, when your trailer is loaded to it's full capacity, there should be a minimum clearance of 3 inches between the top of your tire and the underside of your fender.This should give you adequate clearance for…

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Boat Winch Recommendation for a 20ft Pontoon Boat With No Rollers

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