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Gentleman.
I have a 1973 Currituck I trailer that I would like to add a electric winch to. It has a 70hp Johnson that adds 238 lbs. plus a battery but not much else. Does anyone have any experience with the Harbor Freight winches? The ramp I use is about a 2 1/2' drop in 10' grade. Hand cranking this thing is exercise but I'm getting lazy. Retired and tired. Thanks!


(please follow guideline #1 at the top of this page and use the full 4 digit year. thanks)

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Jim -

Before you spend some serious $ on a winch, check your trailer.

If you have an all bunk trailer, consider adding slide sticks or convert to a keel roller/bunk trailer.

Both of my boats had terrible trailer setups when I bought them. Once I fixed the rollers and adjusted the bunks, the boats would slide off with a gentle push and winch on easily.

I trailered 100% and know those steep ramps you refer to. Eliot, Maine is quite fun.

As for Harbor Freight, you get what you pay for.

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I would stay away from ANYTHING Harbor Freight. If you want a dependable winch get it elsewhere.

I agree with Phil, often adjusting the trailer can make a huge difference!

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Gentleman,
Thanks for your suggestions. The boat goes off the trailer fine without dunking the hubs in the water. It's the retrieve thats getting old like me. The bunks are just loose so there is no particular drag on them and the keel rollers are about 3" dia at the centers. It's just winding that thing back up the slope. People dunk the whole trailer and float boats back on. But I get enough rust to deal with keeping the hubs out of the water.

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I can understand that, typically trailers do get "dunked" underwater for unload and load purpose, I always rinse the rails, wheels lights, EVERYTHING out when I get back home to the hose, just as I would suspect you do with your boat, as well as your outboard, with fresh water via "muffs". I don't think I have ever launched or re-loaded a boat to a trailer without getting my feet wet, at least a bit! Ha Ha

I might suggest installing "bearing buddies" on the axel if you don't have them at this point.

If you want to barely dunk the trailer to load then I would suggest buying a quality winch. I can however be a bit rougher on the hull.

-Jeffrey

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Wife bought me the Harbor Freight electric winch. I installed it and it blew fuse first time I tried to winch the boat under load. Decided to go out and buy another manual winch.