Installation winches It's often seen as a redundancy to take a PVC boat, until the owner is faced with the need to pull a heavy boat onto a steep sandy slope or put it into the water in high winds, and it becomes almost impossible to handle a full boat, gear and motor alone without the added mechanical advantage. anchor-winch or winch for climbing the slope becomes not just an accessory, but a necessary element of comfort and safety.
The modern market offers many solutions, from simple mechanical gates to complex remote-controlled electrical systems. The choice of a particular model depends on the type of boat, the weight of the engine and the operating conditions, whether it is a calm lake or a tidal zone with a rocky bottom. In this article, we will discuss in detail the technical nuances that will help you not go wrong with the choice of equipment.
It is a mistake to believe that any winch is suitable for an inflatable side. The specificity of PVC requires a special approach to fastening, since rigid fixation to a soft cylinder is impossible without the use of a transom plate or a special bracket. Traction force It should also be calculated with a margin, taking into account not only the weight of the boat, but also the resistance of the ground or water.
Types of Winches: Mechanics vs. Electrics
The first thing a boater faces when choosing equipment is a dilemma: mechanical or electric winch? Mechanical models They are simple, reliable and completely independent of the power source, ideal for small boats up to 3.5 meters long, where the load weight does not exceed 300-400 kg. They require physical effort, but ensure that the mechanism does not fail at the most inopportune moment because of the dead battery.
On the other hand, winch The press of a button allows you to effortlessly pull a heavy boat to the pier or to choose an anchor from the depths without getting your hands dirty and without risking losing balance. ACB For large PVC boats with powerful engines, electrifying the lifting process is almost an option.
- 🔋 Electric winches provide high efficiency and speed of operation, but depend on the battery charge.
- ⚙️ Mechanical gates do not require electricity and are cheaper to maintain, but require manual torso.
- ⚓ Hydraulic systems (rarely for PVC) have enormous power, but are difficult to install.
- 🛡️ The body of the device must have protection not lower than the standard IP67 for work in aquatic environments.
It is important to consider that electric winches consume significant current, especially under load, which means that the standard battery to start the engine may not be enough for long-term operation of the winch. Experts recommend install an additional traction battery specifically designed for cyclic loads.
⚠️ Warning: Never use a starter battery to run the winch for long periods of time. Deep discharge can irreversibly damage the battery plates, leaving you unable to start the engine.
Calculation of traction force and selection of cable
The key parameter in the selection of equipment is tractionFor PVC boats, the "pull the weight of the boat" rule doesn't always work correctly, because you have to take into account the angle of lift and the type of surface. If you plan to pull the boat onto a concrete slip at an angle of 15-20 degrees, the drag will be much higher than when you climb on a sloping sandy shore.
A simplified formula can be used to calculate the minimum required force, taking into account the total weight of the boat in gear and the coefficient of friction. Steel cable It is traditionally considered more reliable for heavy loads, as it is less stretched and more resistant to abrasion against stones. However, synthetic cable (made of high molecular weight polyethylene) is safer for the operator: when it breaks, it does not whip like a lash or rust, and also easier and swims on water, which makes it easier to sample.
The length of the cable also matters. For most waterworks, 20-30 meters are enough. More cable on the drum may require a winch with an enlarged drum or a multi-layer winding, which reduces effective traction in the upper layers.
Methods of installation on PVC boats
Installing a winch on an inflatable boat is a process that requires engineering, and unlike metal boats, you can't just weld a bracket to the side. sink-board It's important to make sure that the structure is rigid so that when the cable is stretched, the winch does not "play" or deform the cylinders.
The most common option is the use of transom-gateThis is a U-shaped structure made of stainless steel or aluminum that is put on a transom, and the winch is attached to the crossbar of these gates, and the good thing about this is that it doesn't require drilling the boat itself and it's easy to dismantle, but for heavy boats with engines over 40 hp, this method may not be stable enough.
A more reliable but time-consuming method is to place the winch on a platform fixed to a hard floor (floorboards) or inflatable floor (und) in which the load is transferred to the entire structure of the boat, not just to the transom.
Don't forget the ergonomics. The winch must be set so that the rope can be removed from the drum without any distortion, and the operator can safely control the winding process without being in a dangerous tension zone.
Electrical circuitry and connection
Electric winch installation requires careful attention to detail, as it is a matter of working with high currents in an aggressive wet environment. Basic rule: the wire cross section must correspond to the current consumed. For winches with a power of 1000-1500 W (12V), current can reach 80-120 Amps at peak. The use of thin wires will lead to voltage drop, overheating and loss of power.
Be sure to use it. heat-protection (automatic circuit breaker) in the power circuit, placing it as close to the battery as possible, which will protect the wiring from ignition in the event of a short circuit, all connections must be made with tinted copper tips and securely insulated with adhesive-layer thermal shrinkage.
| Winch power | Current (12B), A | Recommended cable cross-section, mm2 | The denomination of the machine, A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 watts | 45 | 10-16 | 50 |
| 800-1000 watts | 60-90 | 25-35 | 100 |
| 1200-1500 W | 100-130 | 35-50 | 150 |
| 2000 W | 150+ | 50-70 | 200 |
For control, it is best to use a wired remote with a cable length of 2-3 meters to be able to move away from the mechanism. Wireless remotes are convenient, but can lose signal or discharge at the most critical moment, so the presence of wired duplication is a sign of a competent installation.
⚠️ Warning: Keep the winch from running without the load moving for a long time, which causes the electric motor to overheat. If the boat gets stuck, pause to cool the mechanism.
Operation and maintenance of the mechanism
Even the most reliable winch requires regular maintenance, especially if it is used in salt water or muddy rivers. After each foray into the water, the mechanism must be rinsed with fresh water. The sand caught between the turns of the cable and the drum acts as an abrasive, quickly destroying both the cable and the winding mechanism.
Check the condition of the cable periodically, look for signs on the steel cable. corrosion And if you notice that more than 10 percent of the fibers are damaged, you need to replace the synthetic cable.
Lubrication of the gearbox is another important point: most winches use a consistent lubricant, but over time it is washed out or contaminated. Once a season (or more often during heavy use), it is recommended to open the gearbox, clean the old lubricant and apply a new one designed to work in an aqueous environment (for example, lithium with additives).
- 🧼 Wash the mechanism with fresh water after each use in salt water.
- 🔍 Check the cable for damage before each heavy load.
- 🛢️ Lubricate the moving parts with specialized marine lubricants.
- 🔋 Check the tightening of the mount bolts, as vibration can weaken them.
Store the winch in the winter is better in a dry room, removing from the boat. If this is not possible, be sure to treat metal surfaces with anti-corrosion composition and remove the terminals from the battery.
Safety Techniques at Work
The winch is a source of increased danger. A cable under tension accumulates tremendous potential energy. When it breaks or jumps, it can cause serious injuries. Never stand in the tension bracket of the cable or step over it, even if the load seems small.
When working with an electric winch, always keep your hand on the control button and control the process visually. Remote control It should be used with caution: make sure that there are no people or foreign objects in the area of operation of the mechanism. If the cable is wound unevenly, do not try to correct it with your hands or foot with the engine on.
⚠️ Warning: It is strictly forbidden to use the winch hook to tow other boats at high speed or jerk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I install an electric winch on a boat with a 5 hp engine?
Technically possible, but economically and practically rarely justified: the weight of the winch, battery and wiring can make up a significant part of the payload of a small boat, for such dimensions, usually a light mechanical winch or anchor assembly is enough.
Which battery is better to choose for a winch?
The best choice is to traction gel (GEL) or AGM batteriesThey are better at deep discharge and have low self-discharge compared to conventional starter batteries, and the capacity should be chosen on the basis that the winch should not drop the battery by more than 50-60%.
Why does the winch warm up when working?
Heating an electric motor is normal when operating under load, because some of the energy goes into heat. However, if the body becomes too hot (you can't hold your hand), then the mechanism is in overload or jammed. You need to take a break to cool down.
How to properly wind the cable on the drum?
The first winding of the new cable must be done under load (for example, by attaching a boat to a tree and pulling the rope with a winch), which will ensure tight and smooth stacking of the turns. If you wind the rope without tension, the first real work, the upper turns can fall under the lower turns and jam the mechanism.
Do I need an anchor slug for a winch?
For a winch, used primarily as an anchor, the presence of a lock (roller guide) is desirable, but not always necessary. However, if the winch is used to lift the boat to shore, guides (rollers) are critical to prevent the rope from rubbing against the edge of the transom or hull.