ProMark Offroad Blog
How to Install an Electric Boat Winch
Replacing your manual trailer winch with an electric winch is a great way to save your strength and load your boat faster and easier. You can either permanently install the electric boat winch or mount it temporarily. The following instructions apply specifically to ProMark Offroad boat winches but may also apply to similar style winches by other manufacturers.
Permanent Electric Boat Winch Mounting
- Select a mounting site on the bed of a truck, trailer, or other suitable location. Make sure the mounting location is able to withstand the pulling force of the winch. Steel reinforcement plates or additional bracing may be required, depending on the desired mounting location.
- Align the base of the winch with the desired location and mark for drilling the three mounting holes required to attach the winch to the mounting site. Then drill these three mounting holes on the vehicle, trailer, or mounting plate. (See Figure A.)
- Use three hardened steel bolts at least 3/8″ in diameter, three lock washers, and three nuts to securely attach the winch to the mounting location. (See Figure A.)
- Run the electrical wiring to the power source as directed by the manufacturer. Test the winch operation before attempting to load a boat using the winch.
Permanent boat winch mounting
Temporary Electric Boat Winch Mounting
- Insert three screws into the three mounting holes in the adapter plate and secure the screws to the adapter plate using three washers and three nuts. (See Figure B.)
- Insert the heads of the three screws into the three keyhole slots on the base of the winch. (See Figure B.)
- Attach the winch with its plate to the vehicle’s hitch ball by inserting the hitch ball through the teardrop-shaped hole in the adapter plate. (See Figure B.)
- Connect the electrical wiring to the vehicle’s power source, following the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Test the winch operation before attempting to load your boat.
Temporary boat winch mounting
How to Load a Boat on a Trailer with an Electric Winch
Loading your boat can be a chore, but not when you use an electric trailer winch. You can easily load a boat on your own without any help. See the steps below for how to load a boat using an electric winch.
Electric Boat Winch Diagram
- Place the vehicle’s transmission in “Park.” Set the emergency brake and block the wheels with suitable chocks to keep the vehicle from rolling.
NOTE: You may wish to keep the vehicle’s engine running to continually recharge the battery while using the boat winch. However, use extreme caution when working around a vehicle with its engine running. - Pull out the steel cable to the desired length by pushing the “Power Out” button on the remote. Leave at least four turns of steel cable on the winch spool to prevent the cable from pulling completely out of the winch.
- Hook on to the boat or other object to be moved by securing the winch hook to a pulling point, tow strap, or chain. Do not wrap the steel cable around an object and hook it back on itself. This can kink or fray the steel cable. Only attach the winch hook to an approved tow point that is able to withstand the force of the pull without causing damage to the boat or object being pulled.
- Clear the area of bystanders. Never allow anyone to stand near the steel cable or in line with the steel cable behind the winch while it is under power. If the steel cable should slip or break, it can suddenly whip back towards the winch, causing a hazard for anyone in the area.
- Stand clear of the cable and winch. When it is safe to do so, press the “Power In” button on the remote to power in the steel cable and pull the boat as desired.
- When the boat is within a few feet of the trailer jack, pulse the “Power In” button on the remote until the boat is fully loaded.
- Secure the boat with an approved tie down strap or chain. Do not rely on the electric boat winch to hold the boat in place while trailering.
- Unplug the winch remote before trailering. Store the remote in a safe, dry location.
Now your boat is loaded on the trailer! When you are finished loading the boat, make sure you secure it properly to the trailer, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Double check all straps, chains, etc. before trailering to make sure the boat is secure.
Electric Boat Trailer Winch Comparison
An electric boat winch is a great way to make loading your boat onto the trailer quick and easy. Below is a comparison chart for several popular boat trailer winches, including models from ProMark Offroad, Powerwinch, Trac, and Dutton-Laison.
| Specifications | ProMark Offroad | Powerwinch | Trac | Dutton-Laison |
| Model | 10,500 lb Electric Boat Winch | RC 30 | Lite Cruiser C-10000 | Strongarm SA12000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling Weight Capacity | 10,500 lbs | 11,500 lbs | 9900 lbs | 7600 lbs (11-degree incline) |
| Dead Weight Capacity | 3500 lbs | 4000 lbs | 3500 lbs | 2250 lbs (11-degree incline) |
| Line Speed (with load) | 10 ft / min | 8 ft / min | 6 ft / min | 2 ft / min |
| Power In | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power Out | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control | Yes (corded) | Yes (wireless) | Yes (Wireless) | No |
| Backup Hand Crank | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Light | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pulley Block | No | No | No | No |
| Power Supply | 12V DC | 12V DC | 12V DC | 12V DC |
| Cable Length | 36 feet | 40 feet | 30 feet | 50 feet |
| Net Weight | 42 lbs | 36 lbs | 24 lbs | Not listed |
| Warranty | 1 year limited | 1 year limited | 2 year limited | 1 year limited |
Boat Trailer Winch Maintenance
Instructions on how to perform regular maintenance on your electric boat trailer winch.
Keep your electric boat winch working like new with regular maintenance.
CAUTION: Always release the load from the boat winch and disconnect the winch from its 12 volt DC electrical supply source before performing any inspection, maintenance, or cleaning.
BEFORE EACH USE:
- Inspect the general condition of the winch.
- Loose screws
- Misalignment or binding of moving parts
- Cracked, bent, or broken parts
- Frayed steel cable
- Any other condition that may affect safe operation of the boat winch
- Inspect the entire winch unit for corrosion that may be caused by exposure to saltwater or weather.
- If abnormal noise or vibration occurs, stop using the winch and get it repaired before using it again. Do not use your boat trailer winch if it is damaged.
Check for:
AS NEEDED
- Use a premium quality, lightweight oil to lubricate the steel winch cable.
- To clean the winch, wipe down the outside of the trailer winch housing with a clean, damp cloth. If necessary, you may clean the winch with a mild detergent.
EVERY SIX MONTHS
- Grease the internal gears with a good quality, waterproof gear grease. Check your instruction manual for instructions on how to separate the winch housing to access the gears.
How to Use an Electric Boat Winch
The diagram below outlines the various parts of your electric boat winch. (Note: Some parts may or may not be included with your winch.)
Marine winch diagram
Follow the instructions below to use your electric boat winch. (Note: Some boat winches may operate differently. Always read the user manual before operating your winch.)
15,000 pound electric boat winch
- Put the vehicle in park, set the emergency brake, and block the wheels to keep the vehicle from rolling.
- You may keep the engine running to keep the battery winch charged. If you choose to keep the engine running, please use extreme caution when working around the vehicle.
- Spool out the steel cable using the “Power Out” feature located on the winch remote. NOTE: Always leave at least four turns of cable on the spool to prevent pulling the cable completely out of the winch.
- Hook the cable onto the boat or other load using a pulling point, tow strap, or chain. NOTE: The anchor point must be able to withstand the force of the pull. Never wrap the steel cable around an object or hook the cable onto the object itself. This could damage the object you’re pulling and could kink or fray the winch cable.
- CAUTION! Never allow anyone to stand near the steel cable or in line with the steel cable behind the winch while the winch is in use. If the steel cable were to slip or break, it could whip back towards the winch, creating a dangerous situation for anyone standing within its path. Always ask bystanders to stand clear of the winch and cable before starting the winching process. If you are operating the winch, always stand as far to the side as possible.
- After clearing the area of bystanders, stand clear of the winch and cable and press the “Power In” button on the switch. The winch motor will engage and pull the load towards the winch.
- When the boat or other object is loaded, release the “Power In” button on the remote control. Secure the load with an approved tie down other than the winch cable. Never depend on the boat winch alone to secure the load.
Hand Crank vs. Electric Boat Winches
Should you buy a hand crank or an electric boat winch?
Electric boat trailer winches and hand crank winches both have their advantages and disadvantages. Check out the pros and cons below to find out which marine winch is best for you.
Electric Trailer Winches
Pros
• Easy loading regardless of physical strength or condition
• Easy loading for heavy boats
• No risk of muscle strain or soreness
• Includes backup hand crank in case of winch failure
• Remote control allows you to guide the boat or stand aside for safety
Cons
• Requires electrical installation
• Dependent on your battery and electrical system
• More expensive than a hand crank alone
Hand Crank Winches
Pros
• Easy on your budget
• No electrical setup required
• No need to worry about battery or electrical failure
• Tones your muscles
Cons
• Requires physical strength
• Makes loading heavy boats a chore
• No remote control option
Tips for Safely Operating Your Boat Trailer Winch
Electric trailer winches make loading your boat quick and easy.
Electric boat trailer winches are designed for easy loading and unloading of your boat. A hand crank requires greater strength and effort and, depending on the weight of your boat, can make loading your boat more difficult than it needs to be. They also leave you with a free hand to guide the boat as needed.
If you’re in the market for an electric boat winch, look for one that can handle the weight of your boat, including fuel and gear. Since your boat is in the water as you load, the trailer winch can handle a greater load capacity than its rated line pull capacity. The pull capacity of your winch should be at least three-quarters of the combined weight of your boat, motor, fuel, and gear. When you estimate the required load capacity of your trailer winch, keep in mind that the loading incline and other factors can also increase the load on your winch.
Even though you might be tempted to rely on your winch to secure your boat to the trailer, an electric marine winch is not designed to act as a tie-down. After loading your boat, unhook the cable from the boat and use separate tie-downs, such as racket straps, to secure your boat to the trailer.
Some electric trailer winches include a backup hand crank in case of winch failure, so even if your electric winch stops working, you can still load the boat manually.
Regularly inspect your winch line for damage or wear. Replace the cable if it shows signs of deterioration. A cable that breaks under load can lash through the air, creating a dangerous situation for anyone in its way. Some electric boat winches include a corded or wireless remote that allows the operator to stand clear of the winch in case of cable failure.
If you wind the cable back into the shaft when it’s not under load, keep the line taut to prevent the cable from kinking or tangling inside the winch housing. Also note that a trailer winch is not designed for use as a hoist or lift. It is only approved for horizontal pulling or for pulling on a slight incline.
