Winch for Boat Lift For 1,500 lb Boat

Updated 07/30/2020 | Published 07/28/2020

Question:

I need a new winch for the boat lift. It will be raising a 2013 Tracker Fishing boat with a 60 hp four stroke mercury outboard. The total weight for the boat and motor no people is approximately 1500 lbs. What winch do you recommend? The DL 2500 or DL2503 seems a little like overkill but I dont want to be undersized either. What models would you recommend? Is there a special wheel adapter available for the lift. The 2503 looks like it has a place for the large lift wheel, although Im not sure what the size of the wheel would need? What other information would be useful to figure out what is the best winch? It appears that some winchs brake mechanisms wont engage without minimal weight. Your help in answering these questions is most appreciated. I have purchased hitch parts and other items from etrailer.com previous and have always been impressed with your customer service.

asked by: Patrick R

Expert Reply:

For your 1,500 lb boat and a boat lift, the winch I recommend is the Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch # DL14958.

This will work perfectly with your boat lift, and I have added a photo a customer sent in of this winch being used on their boat lift. It has a 2,500 lb capacity, which is the best option for capacity with a 1,500 lb boat on a winch that will work with a boat lift.

The Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch # DL14958 has an automatic brake, and while you are correct winches like this won't engage without a minimum weight, that weight is 300 lbs, which you boat definitely exceeds.

expert reply by: Kyle S