Synthetic Winch Tether
Our upgrade Falcon winches are designed to hold their load. But we recommend that you use a winch tether so you can relax the load on the internal gearing and parts of the winch over long periods. And of course, it is always a good idea to have a secondary way of holding your PWC while your houseboat or yacht is underway, especially in rough water.
You can use any kind of rope or even a length of chain as a tether. We offer a synthetic tether with a loop on one end to make it easy to tie as described below. This is the same kind of synthetic rope used on the winch drums. It is stronger than steel cable and doesn't stretch like most ropes. You don't want to use a rope that stretches for this purpose.
Our Winch Tethers are $20. But if you place your order in
December we will include it FREE with your order.
The following pictures and captions describe the simplest and easiest way to attach the Winch Tether.
Next is a top view. Be sure that your Tether always goes around the head bolts as shown. Don't ever let it slip up around the red clutch knob. This is especially important when you install the Tether over the Sunbrella cover.
Installing the Sunbrella cover and blue Tether needs to be done in the following order.
1) With your PWC winched up to within 1/4 inch of the winch, and the controller still connected, slip the Sunbrella cover over the top of the winch and fit it around the head.
2) Hook the blue Tether over the Sunbrella cover and winch head. Make sure it is not merely over the clutch knob.
3) Press the OUT button so that the winch relaxes and the Tether is holding the load.
4) Unplug the controller from the relay box.
5) Fit the Sunbrella cover under the winch motor and snap the button around the rope. Make sure the mesh is completely at the bottom so if any rain gets under the cover, it will drain out through the mesh and not collect around the motor.
The above descdribes how to cover the winch when you are leaving your houseboat and heading home. While you are at your houseboat and have unloaded your PWC, always fit the Sunbrella cover over the winch, even while you are at your houseboat, unless you are absolutely sure it will not rain. Allowing rain to hit the winch even once risks the chance of moisture getting inside the motor and causing rust. Don't take that chance. COVER THE WINCH WITH THE SUNBRELLA COVER AT ALL TIMES, NOT JUST WHEN YOU ARE GONE. The only time the cover should come off is when the winch is winding up or letting out.
