Recommended Tree Mounted Winch to Pull 3000 Pound Boat Up Slope on Log Rollers

Question:

We need a winch that we can attache to trees that is capable of pulling a 28ft boat weighing at least 3,000 pounds out of water and onto beach with slight incline and accross log rollers when storms are coming. Across the land approximately 25 feet.

asked by: Linda

Expert Reply:

We do not offer any tree mount winches and a tree is not a recommended place to mount a standard hand winch. Normally in these situations, people mount a hand winch on a steel post held in the ground with concrete in order to support the weight. You'll need to make sure the winch pays out and reels in a straight line into the winch so it may need to be angled.

When winching a boat onto a boat trailer a common ratio for determining your winch load capacity is 2 to 1. For example, a 5,000 lbs boat would require a 2,500 lbs winch. With wooden bunks and long winching distances, reduce the ratio to 1 to 1. A hand winch like the Dutton-Lainson winch, # DL14881, will work for you. It is a 2-speed brake winch rated for up to 3,500 pounds. For a cable, use # DL24104.

Pulling a load up a ramp or incline adds extra resistance. To find the amount of load that can be pulled up an incline, multiply the winch capacity by the factor shown in the chart included in the FAQ article. For example, at a 5 percent incline a 3,500-lbs winch can handle up to 23,345 lbs. As the incline increases, the weight a winch can pull decreases.

An electric winch is not recommended because of the constraints of nature and the need of a power source.

I have attached an FAQ page on hand winches you might find informative.

expert reply by: Chris O