Electric winch for Quintrex 490 Escape?

[geoffmck]

Does anyone think an electric winch for a 5m tinnie would be overkill?

I am likley to be fishing a bit with my kids and am a bit hesitant about driving on (I assume the Quintrex alloy trailer can be driven on?) so I am contemplating an electric winch so they can help load the boat without struggling to manually wind a winch.

What are peoples thoughts?

[Gon Fishun]

Depends on the age of the kids. Manual or electric can rip fingers off. 5 year olds, NO. Teenagers, well they know it all anyway. ;D::)

[Andy56]

Redo the trailer and drive on. The standard side skids/guides are a joke. It won,t cost a lot and it will make things easier. There are lots of threads on exactly this same issue.(I am assuming you have the standard trailer!)

[geoffmck]

Yes the standard Quintrex alloy trailer (TQAVL48BH) will be supplied. Has anyone modified one of these and if so, what have they done to make it easier to drive on?

[timddo]

I load and unload my trailer solo. Go the winch, it's much better them winching by hand.
4000lb ATv winch remote control on eBay $100 delivered.

I watch others struggle, while I press a button and watch.

[Stewey]

Same as timddo,
I fish solo regularly, also with young son. Found electric winch to be indispensable. You get some looks at the ramp with an electric winch for 5m boat, but who cares, loading and unloading is easy.

Regards

Stewey

[Linedropper]

I have a Powerwinch 712 to pull up my 4.5m. Was originally installed for dry beach retrieves but it is so handy on ramps when alone. Bit of string to the switch and you line up the boat while retrieving. Too easy.

[Andy56]

I modified the trailer when I had a 470 for drive on, the best thing ever. Now I have a larger fg boat and drive on is SO MUCH EASIER. Drive on takes at least two steps out of your manouvers to get the boat on the trailer, KISS principle means less chance of stuffup. Just think, how do you attach the hook to the boat and then who presses the start button. With (W@ith) drive on, you only have to worry about tieing down the boat.

[Andy56]

I am assuming you will be using ramps. If you beach launch, then electric winch would be the go

[Fed]

With a Powerwinch Andy they operate off a lanyard tied to the back of the trailer so it's just a matter of walking the bow of the boat over to the back of the trailer in about 10" of water, hooking it on & pulling the string.

As it's coming up I walk to the front of the trailer while still pulling the string then stand there to hook the safety chain on.

I'd be winching before you're in the boat and trying to line up for a drive on.

[Stewey]

Add a wireless remote control, cheap from ebay. Operate from anywhere. No strings attached:-):-):-):-):-):-)

[Dicktracey]

http://boatlatch.com/
Put one of these on my 6m glass boat and have never looked back, no maintenence ozzie made great piece of kit !
Watching the jaws drop at ramp is priceless :)