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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Trailer winch strap - how to secure?

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/15/2004 : 17:11:38

I decided to replace the existing winch on the trailer before it broke my hand. The new Fulton #3200 I got from Champion is pretty neat, not only does the ratchet stay locked until I release it, it has a transmission with two speeds and neutral. In neutral you can pull the strap out without the handle flying around.

I bought a 3" wide strap that fits the width of the drum. The strap has a flat loop at the end. The winch drum has four 3/8" holes on one side and only a single little 1/8" hole on the other. I tried to secure it with 1/8" line but it snaped at home in the driveway before I even loaded it up that much. How do you secure the winch strap to the drum?

Todd Hansen
Fiorghra'
San Luis Obispo, CA

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2004 : 17:42:57

My winch has a 1/4" bolt. I also need to change out my strap. The old one broke and I replaced it with a ten footer. But I need the longest one they have for the mast raising system. Last time I did it I had to make an extension. That cost me about another hour of time trying to rig it. Any ideas about how I can fix the cabin wench?

Edited by - Ben - FL on 05/15/2004 17:45:58

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2004 : 17:55:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ben - FL
 ...Any ideas about how I can fix the cabin wench?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ben,...without a prenup, replacing a cabin wench can be quite expensive!

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2004 : 20:33:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tmhansen
 How do you secure the winch strap to the drum?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Does it really need to be secured? Doesn't it wrap over its self enough to hold? How about a small sheet of metal the width of the drum and an inch or so long, drill several holes through it and the drum that would hold several SS pop rivets, rivet the strap between the drum and the piece of metal you just manufactured.

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2004 : 20:54:26

I have thought of adding a piece of metal strap across the face of the drum. Can't drill into the hub though since the axle bolt and bearing sleeve is inside. I am thinking of drilling a small slot on each side of the drum next to the hub. A piece of metal through this and the loop in the strap. Seems like a lot of work. I can't image that someone has not faced this problem and solved it before or that the manufacturer does not have a way to do it. I'll have to make some calls Monday.

Strap won't grip on itself, it just turns under load. That would be bad when coming up the ramp

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2004 : 21:17:54

Todd,

If memory serves me correctly, the winch and strap I installed on my old trailer was attached as Ben said, with a small bolt that went through both side plates of the winch close to the axle. If it has only one hole in this location (for a cable) maybe you can drill a coordinating hole on the opposite flange to accommodate a bolt that will hold the loop of the new winch strap.

What do you think?

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2004 : 00:22:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 Todd,

If memory serves me correctly, the winch and strap I installed on my old trailer was attached as Ben said, with a small bolt that went through both side plates of the winch close to the axle. If it has only one hole in this location (for a cable) maybe you can drill a coordinating hole on the opposite flange to accommodate a bolt that will hold the loop of the new winch strap.

What do you think?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It sounds better than my idea.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2004 : 06:51:05

Bolt holding loop has been seen before on "factory official installations".

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2004 : 12:00:38

Oscar I think the bolt idea is what I will end up doing. Thanks.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2004 : 10:18:10

Speaking of winch straps . . . have they resolved the UV issue or do you keep it covered?

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2004 : 16:09:35

I had not heard any discussion on UV damage. I have noted it. I figure the strap is so long I'll just shorten it every few years.

I called Champion and they drill holes for a 3/8" grade 5 bolt to hold the loop of the strap.

I'm surprised Fulton does not make them strap ready.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2004 : 19:41:45

My trailer uses a steel cable instead of a nylon strap. I'm not sure, but believe the 2 speed winches can use either. I used nylon strap hold-downs for a racing dinghy, and they sun-rotted fairly quickly. That isn't an issue with a steel cable. Since the strap is the key thing that holds the boat on a roller bunk trailer, I feel much better using the cable than a strap.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2004 : 20:57:56

"Since the strap is the key thing that holds the boat on a roller bunk trailer"

You should always have a secondary 'safety chain' between the winch tower and the bow eye. Don't trust only the winch to hold the boat on the trailer.

I've seen 'em fail. I had a center console sport-fisherman that would have ended up sitting in the middle of the boat ramp if it weren't for a safety chain. Made me a believer.

I reckon having your C25 sitting on the pavement would ruin your whole day.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1769 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2004 : 21:12:16

My trailer uses a steel cable instead of a nylon strap. I'm not sure, but believe the 2 speed winches can use either. I used nylon strap hold-downs for a racing dinghy, and they sun-rotted fairly quickly. That isn't an issue with a steel cable. Since the strap is the key thing that holds the boat on a roller bunk trailer, I feel much better using the cable than a strap. - Steve

Hmmmmm ... that got me to thinking ... would it be feasible to modify an old swinger SS keel cable to replace the nylon strap? I'd bet I'm not the only guy who's got an old cable lying around ... it just seemed too good to throw away.

Does anyone think the idea might work? Be kind y'all ...

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2004 : 22:40:22

"...old swinger SS keel cable to replace..."

Should work fine.. an eye, a hook, a couple cable clamps and away you go. Remember the saddle goes on the horse, not the pony.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2004 : 09:54:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">would it be feasible to modify an old swinger SS keel cable to replace the nylon strap? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> A new cable for a trailer winch isn't that expensive. I recently replaced mine with a new 20 foot long cable, and it cost about $15.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">You should always have a secondary 'safety chain' between the winch tower and the bow eye. Don't trust only the winch to hold the boat on the trailer. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> I didn't mean to suggest that you shouldn't have a safety chain. When you launch, there comes a time when you have to disconnect the safety chain. If you disconnect it, and the strap takes up the strain and breaks, you could launch on the ramp, or before the boat is deep enough to float.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2004 : 21:47:47

"I didn't mean to suggest that you shouldn't have a safety chain"

Figured you'd know that... really put that comment there for the folks out there that are new to towing. I've seen a couple 'stock' C25 trailers without safety chains (the one for the boat)... mine came without a safety chain too.

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