I'll be picking up my new boat next week. I had Jason make me a winch mount, and now I'm trying to decide which winch to buy. My question to everyone is, where are y'all mounting the solenoid that comes with the winch? Or have y'all found one without a solenoid? I'e trying to figure out how to mount it ans still have the winch able to be moved from the front to the back of the boat and also remove it when I don't need it.

If you got spud pole sockets, mount it on a piece of plate or channel, on top of a piece of pipe same size as spud pole. That way it's removeable & transferable front to back. Can pick up a cheapo from Harbor Freight (get what ya pay for) or you can buy an atv winch on ebay for about $120. Just use a trolling motor plug on it & put an outlet in front & back.

I've already got the mount made. Already have the trolling motor plugs. Just need to see what people are doing with the solenoid that comes with the winches.

I'm looking at a 5000 lbs on ebay! $189

I ran my power wires through the side of a rubbermaid container and then connected it to the contactor. The contactor is bolted inside the container. The wires to the battery are connected to the contactor but are contained inside the container. Essentially, it's the winch and a container with two wires connecting them. I store my remote inside the container also, when not in use. I'll try to get a pic. I bought a Promark 3500# off EBay. I think it was about $160 with the synthetic line. I've only had it about 8 months and only had to use it once. It had plenty power when I did use it to spin my rig 180. Heres a pic at the halfway point.

motoalliance.com and dont look back. Excellent customer service.

got 4500 super winch and the vipers are great 5000 # ya not going to be able to run through trolling motor plug if ya get it in a bind its gonna draw some amps need 6 or 8 wire at the least

I've got 6 gauge wire to run from the battery directly to the trolling motor plug. It should be ok.

I bought a Gorilla Winch on Ebay cheap, works & has saved me a time or two Oh mine is 2,000 lbs if I need to double the line load, I use a block to double it back

Geez with a 5000# winch is like a built in secutiry system. Need to leave you boat somewhere; just winch it up in a tree

I would suggest getting the symthetic winch rope for it...alot better than fighting that steel cable

Overkill much? A cheap 2000k from Harbor Freight is all you need. Buy the warranty plan for 15

Its a good idea to actually run your winch every now and then just to make sure your good to go. No matter which one you get.

Damn I need to try mine out then made a storage mount under the front storage

And I drive a pd and approve this message

I'm still looking for a winch that does not have any external solenoids or contactors. I'd like to find one that all I have to do is hook up the positive and negative to the battery, plug in the remote and winch. Really dont want to have to try and mount that stuff either in the boat or in a box.

Any suggestions???

What if you just fastened the solenoid onto the winch with some hose clamps or zip ties? That way it would still be mobile & easy to hook up.

Mine doesn't have a selonoid, its made into the remote handle. Hook up two wires to the battery and you're done. The brand is ' tracker'

Been thinking about that too. Probably what I'll end up doing.

Rod, where did you get it?

I think warn makes one with a built in solinoid nothern tool sells but it aint cheap like 350 for a 3500#

Warn's hq is here in Monroe, kinda high but you cant beat em.

Capstan winch.They arent cheap but I picked up a 2500# capstan used for 250$ Electric winches are rated at the first wrap of cable but with each layer of cable the pulling capacity falls off.Also there is no danger of overheating on long pulls.

Can some of the guys running a winch on their rig please post some pics. Trying to see how y'all mounted the wiring and the solenoid.

I just had a pipe mounted in my bow. Kinda like a spud pole. My last boat, I had the winch permanently mounted on the front, but never really liked it. With the pipe, I'll just make a plate for the winch that has a slightly smaller pipe on it. It will be able to rotate 360 degrees also, so you don't have to worry about pulling to the side and screwing your cable up... When I need it, slide it in the hole and hook up the battery. When I don't, it will be tucked away in dry storage. You can see a pic of my new one on the thread I started yesterday.

BTW we ordered the 3500 lb Promark winches off ebay. 160 bucks for the whole kit already loaded with the synthetic rope instead of steel cable.