Depending on the budget constraints and the type of towing activity, the use of a winch may be desirable. Manual winches are relatively lightweight but require graduate student horsepower. Electric winches are much heavier but make operations simpler especially if frequent cable adjustments are necessary.

Typical specifications for an electric winch used for Acrobat towing are:

* All aluminum construction, vinyl etch primer and enamel top coat
* 1/2 hp, 110/220/1/60 electric motor, close mounted to gearbox
* Helical worm drive gearbox, self contained
* Power in/power out design
* Handheld directional/on/off control
* Hollow stub shaft to mount slip ring (Focal model 180 or equivalent, not included)
* Access cover in drum barrel for cable installation
* Drum size: 8.6" dia. barrel, 18" dia. flanges, 5" flange spacing
* Performance:

Bare drum: 139 lb @ 93 ft/min
Mid drum: 104 lb @ 125 ft/min
Full drum: 80 lb @ 163 ft/min

* Capacity is 170 meters of 0.30" cable with at least 1" of free flange
* Approximate retrieval time is 5 minutes
* Unit weight: approximately 130 lb. without cable


Same as above with .75 hp motor, performance as follows:

Bare drum: 208 lb @ 93 ft/min
Mid drum: 156 lb @ 125 ft/min
Full drum: 120 lb @ 163 ft/min

* Unit weight: approximately 135 lb. without cable

Same as above with 1 hp motor, performance as follows:

Bare drum: 282 lb @ 93 ft/min
Mid drum: 211 lb @ 125 ft/min
Full drum: 162 lb @ 163 ft/min

Weight approximately 140 lb. without cable

Same size manual winches would weigh less than 100 lb. without cable