A cray pot winch is a device that provides a winch system to connect your cray pot, making retrieval faster and easier. It typically consists of an electric motor, gear box and drum or chain sprocket to which your rope is attached.

The size of the winch you need for cray pots depends on the weight of your pots and how frequently you’re hauling them. Here’s a general guide:

• Standard recreational cray pots (10–20kg loaded): A 300–500W electric pot hauler or winch is usually enough.

• Heavier commercial-style pots or frequent use: Consider a 700W+ winch with a higher pulling capacity (around 100kg or more).

Pulling speed matters too. Look for a winch that hauls at a decent rate (15–30m/min) to save time and effort.

Absolutely — you can install a cray pot winch on a small boat, and plenty do! You just need the right setup.

• Start by choosing a compact and lightweight winch so it won’t throw off your boat’s balance. 
• Look for models designed specifically for small vessels — many come with rail or mounts that are easy to install and won’t eat up valuable deck space. 
• Swivel mounts are also handy if you want to swing the winch out of the way when you're not using it.
• Make sure your boat’s battery system can handle the winch. Most small 12V winches will do the job, especially if you're pulling one or two pots at a time. 

As a general guide, look for something rated to lift around 40–60kg.

​Yes, using a cray pot winch is generally legal for recreational fishing across Australia. However, specific regulations surrounding the use of cray pots vary by state and territory, so it's crucial to consult your local fisheries authority for detailed rules.​

To keep your cray pot winch running smoothly, give it a service every six months. Here are a few more things to keep your cray pot winch working well:  

• Remove the centre screw from the capstan drum, lift it off and lightly grease the synthetic bearings. 
• Add a smear of grease to the O-ring seal before reassembling. 
• Regularly inspect the motor – it's steel, so if the paint gets scratched, it can corrode. 
• Keep it clean and dry. In dry setups, a water-repellent spray like WD-40 does the trick. 
• In damp conditions, use a protective spray like CRC Soft Seal. Don’t forget the terminals—treat and protect them too.