wakeboard winch

im an engineering student and im in the process of designing and building a winch for wakeboarding and snowboarding. because here in nebraska we have just as much time with snow on the ground as we do with warm enough weather to wakeboard.

heres my delima.
engine.
11hp electic start grey hound engine 259.99 (harbor freight)
or 11hp tecumseh. pull start. no gas tank 139.99 (smallenginesupplier)

max rpm
11 hp grey hound 3600prm
11 hp tecumseh 3750rpm

torque converter.....with a engine that is 11hp will i need one.
one problem i think about is i do not think they make one big enough for the 7/8" shaft.

witch engine should i go with?????
one is over a hundred bucks cheaper and has high rpm max and the other has the electric start..........
what would you do?

 

I think Harbor Freight's unofficial motto is "For when you absolutely, positively need to use a tool...only once."

 

I saw this on MTV the other night, it looked pretty sick. Wake skate winching.

I would use the tecumseh over the "throw in the Habor" freight...

 

I've heard nothing but good things about Tecumseh...

 

here is the link for ALLI sports, there is a clip of them using the wakeskate winch.
they use a pullstart
http://wakeboardingmag.com/videos/2009/10/29/video-nick-taylors-trailer-for-the-alli-show/

 

bitchen guys!
thanks!

 

check out this forum
http://www.wakeboarding-winch.com/portal.php?article=1&sid=88a2bf1b3bca7124137bb6956843d4fa


google is a powerful tool...

 

They make one called the Winch Grinch, my buddy and his boys have one up in Canada. Pricey but the thing is baddass.

http://www.buywake.com/catalog/detail/hFEdF

 

oh ive done a ton of looking around. i know i can build one for under about 600. witch im pretty sure is about 2k cheaper then theres!

with the help of my pops (the guy who designed and patented the ford talgate ladder) im sure i can get it down the hitch is the only think im a little scared about

 

Winch? Snowboarding? I am lost!!! Big time!!! Explain why you would want a winch for your snowboard or wake board?

 

I have run Tecumseh engines in all my go-karts those engines are really strong. Also there is many parts for them. For your torque converter question just buy the one that is rated for an 8hp. I made a mid travel go-kart with a 13hp Tecumseh and used a 8hp torque converter i had no problems so far.

 

So lost

 

ok well heres a short version.
wake board....to do stuff in ponds or creeks or the best!!! urban water areas! look at the gene leahy mall...its in omaha my city and our down town area. there is tons of stuff i want to do down in there!
snowboarding. if you may not know there are no mountains near the east side of nebraska. theres also alot of urban stuff to do on a snowboard but i find it unsafe when your friends pull you into a rail or staircase. (i need to feel like im in control)
with a winch you can let go but with a friend they let go of you.
basicly its just a badass way to not own a boat and still get the job done!
got one just can use it all the time. its a pain in the ass to go an hr to the lake after work. board for an hr and drive back! F THAT!

 

Ohhhhhhh. Never though about it like that.. Cool!!

 

yep!