Winch Needed to Hold a 1,000 lb Pontoon Boat for a Michigan Winter

Question:

I am trying to figure out the best way to pull our pontoon onto shore for the winter. We dont have the option of removing boat via a trailer. Our neighbor uses a hand winch with a strap around a tree. My handyman wants to attach a marine grade winch to a concrete block and leave it there permanently. In this case, we would pull the boat up with PVC rollers underneath and it would stay attached to the winch all winter. Can you recommend a product that would be able to stay outside permanently through Michigan winters? Can you suggest another approach? The pontoon is 18 foot and weighs 1000 pounds.

asked by: Deborah B

Expert Reply:

Winches can typically handle at least twice their rated weight capacity when they are pulling a boat onto a trailer that has standard bunk boards. If your PVC rollers allow your 1,000 lb pontoon to move easily then I recommend going with the Fulton F2 # FW16000101.

This is a rust-resistant, cast aluminum frame that is fully enclosed. It is rated for 1,600 lbs and comes with a strap rated for the same weight. Using a strap in harsh conditions is much better than a cable because a strap is completely rust-proof so you don't have to worry about your Michigan winter ruining the device that is keeping your pontoon out of the water.

Even though this winch is fully enclosed and very rust-resistant I recommend using a cover like part # DL24051 to help further protect your winch from the elements.

Really the only other approach would be to either build a boat shed right out of the water so that your boat and the winch can sit inside, or to get a trailer so that you can store your boat inside a garage or storage space.

expert reply by: Jon G