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View Full Version : Advice needed: boat winch vs. boat lift



Rock Laubster
04-17-2006, 10:27 AM
I'm new to boats and boating and would welcome feedback:

My lake property has a boat ramp. The ramp extends from the rear of the house to the lake and is not accessible by vehicle for backing the boat into the water. I'm wondering what it would take to install some winching system to pull a 2006 Outback V out of the water at the end each weekend.

Is anyone using a motorized winch for getting their boat in and out of the water? I'm guessing you'd need a bed for the boat that you could pull up and down a rail? Another idea I thought of was getting a second trailer that I could leave on the ramp, but without the weight of the vehicle to support the trailer I could see problems loading the boat.

Is there a place, perhaps online, that I could find information or dealers who do this kind of work?

I'd like to be able to take advantage of the ramp, but at the same time I'm wondering if it'd be best just to go with a boat lift.

Thanks your thoughts on this!

Jeff

Wake Master
04-17-2006, 08:40 PM
A boat lift would be less work and you keep you boat out of the water when not in use. It's nice to come back pull into the lift crank it up and your done till the next time you go out.

BensonWdby
04-17-2006, 09:20 PM
You can buy rail systems. I have seen them. Definitely looks like higher maintenance (getting rail beds level and keeping them level). What you might consider is a lift with a wheel kit in front of your ramp and a winch to pull the lift out of the water (assuming ice is an issue like it is for us).