Pretty new to all of this and I have been looking at sites and different builders, I am trying to think of a list of options I would like to have if I ever decide to pull the pin and have a boat built. I will, it is just a matter of when, I am the kind of guy that researches the crap outta something before moving forward.

In all my searching I have not seen a V Rake front with a concealed winch, just winch mount plates. Is this a design that is just not practical or one that the v rake just does not allow for? It would be very nice to have that winch tucked outta the way but still be accessible.

I guess anything is possible with a custom boat maybe a v rake and then the upper bow where the V comes together snubbed off enough to allow for the roller fair lead to be mounted.

Thanks
Phil

Just had this discussion. Two options we came up with is you have to square the last 6" or so of the point or build a plate that will slide in one of the spud receivers. We decided on the spud receiver plate


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That was my thoughts if I ever wanted to add a winch to mine. I was going to use my spud holes to mount it. But, I was going to make the mount to where I could use any of the four spud holes on the boat. Haven't decided I need the winch...,yet.


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this is what i did with mine...im going to use the front spud hole for my winch plate


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spud reciever seems the smartest way to me...acts like a trailer hitch hook up on a truck

take a look at the excel concealed mount, that is my favorite part about the excel boats. it is clean looking and very strong.

I have a question that no one has seemed to be able to answer yet. What if we used the seat boat hole on the deck. Make a mount on a boat seat mount and when you want the winch, just put it in there. Anyone see any pitfalls with that set up? One that I see is that if it sits low and sorta far back on the deck, that the cable could rub against the edge of the front as the boat gets closer to the anchor. So it may have to be on a short post. But it would swivel in any direction.

Seat is not strong enough

i think winch mounts are, whatever you like best go with it. i like the under deck mount myself with rope and not cable i can winch any direction i need. i can also see why some like the spud mount option for front or rear use. i just dont care for it. its kinda like some like skinny girls and some like BIGGUNS. LOL

I like their concept and if had built a v then I was gonna go for something along same lines, excepted would have been stouter

I just have one of those cheap portable winches from Wally world with a strap. Got enough wire to reach either battery from front or back and hook to whatever grab bar, handle or whatever on the boat. Put it in the front box if I think imma need it.

The spud poles style mounting bracket give you more options to pull from. But either will work. I also looked at one of those portable warn winches, but they are heavy

If you're using spud holes, mount your winch vertically so it's spins 360 easier.

Phil excel has the option to conceal the winch on a v nose with the design dfou was talking about if you'd like to see that in your research.I personally like the spud pole idea that's what I plan to do.. Tomorrow I'm going To visit Prodigy boats, I'll ask him about concealing a winch

It is interesting to me that the concealed idea comes up as much as it does honestly. Concealed to me = hard to get to if u have a problem, and if u put it in the nose of a V Rake boat u gonna affect the look of the boat and also compromise some of the strength of the point. We can easily mount a winch inside the bow and put a outlet where the cable sticks out............. just seems to be that using the spud holes with a TM plug as the power source is the way to go cause u can keep the winch in a dry container under the bow...........Also, u can take it out of the boat and remove the weight when u know u dont need it etc.

Just my opinion

If u want a concealed winch in a V Rake we can def do it. But I think there are better/cheaper/more functional alternatives.

Let's not forget how often 99% of people actually ever use a winch...............

I just don't like clutter so I choose to have a hard mounted winch.. Didn't want it just laying around in the way!

I have to winch over levees about every 3rd hunt or so. I put my winch under deck. If I didn't have the levees to cross I don't think I'd have a winch.

sent from the former Republic of Texas.

A chunk of chain 10-12 inches long mounted to the winch plate and a shackle going to the bow eye or a handle works well also, plus it allows you to pull the hull in multiple directions.

That's the ticket.

I don't see why you couldn't, just a little bracing to mount the winch on and use a winch with synthetic rope. Then have a hawse style fairlead bent or fabbed to match the V angle of the front rake...

Agree w dfou on spuds and a tm plug.. Then keep the winch in a dry place to keep it out of the elements etc.

Sounds like Phil has a good case where it may make sense to have it thru the hull up front if it is needed routinely..


Truth is 98% of people that have a winch rarely use them. Of course it is not hard to mount one in the v rake and it can b braced up etc..

Most TM plugs only have 10ga or so wire. Don't recall ever seeing one with anything larger than 8. I'd highly recommend anderson connectors if you want to do quick connects on anything that draws a significant amount of current.