What Winch Rating is Needed for a 2,500 lb Boat

Updated 04/20/2016 | Published 04/18/2016

Question:

I have a 1750 ranger reata with a bunk trailer and the winch there now is rated for 1400 lbs. I believe the boat weighs 1900 and motor about 500. Gear gas would even add more weight. It was always really hard to winch up into the trailer and now the winch handle bent and the gears are stripping. What size winch should I go with. Looking for something my kids will have no problem with. Thanks.

asked by: Tony

Expert Reply:

For a wooden bunk trailer the rule of thumb is to go with a winch that has a rating that is at least 50 percent of the weight of the boat. Let's say your boat weighs a total of 2,500 lbs when totally loaded up and counting the weight of the motor. So going with a winch with at least a 1,250 lb capacity would be recommended.

The XLT Winch part # F142425 that you referenced has quite a bit more capacity than you would need so it would work very well. It would crank your boat in with ease.

I attached a review video for this winch plus a help article on hand winches as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C