Can the Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch # DL15303 Be Cranked in Reverse Without Freewheeling?  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hello Vincent,

Thanks for writing in!

The Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch # DL15303 is a pulling winch, so it is designed to crank in one direction and freewheel in the other. It does not have the ability to crank in reverse while keeping the load under control.

I reached out to my contact at Dutton-Lainson to clarify this, and they confirmed that the older # DL1402A was replaced by the # DLC1400 a few years ago. This is a pulling winch, which explains why it doesn't operate the way you were expecting.

I think you may have been looking for the Dutton-Lainson Brake Winch # DL14964 instead. This one has an automatic brake that allows you to crank in either direction, so you can control the boat as you're letting it out rather than having it freewheel. The brake also holds the load in place when you stop cranking.

Do you happen to know the model number of your original winch?

expert reply by: Kate F

0

Vincent

11/10/2026

Thank you Kate. The original was the 1400 and was told the one I ordered (1402A)was the replacement for it, yet it doesn’t function the same. Pretty disappointing to have bought it, installed it and found out at the ramp when launching the boat.

Kate F.

11/11/2026

@Vincent That would have been very disappointing. We will be reaching out =)