I have a 15ft Fibreglass with an old style trailor. The winch we use is a
2.5:1 ratio and it is a real mission to get the boat on,. I have been told
to use 5:1 & 10:1 ration with 3 pawl. I was also told to get a winch brake.
Is a winch brake only needed when letting the boat off the tailor.

you can double pulling force with a shieve pulley hooked on bow eye. If you
have enough winch line , run from winch to shieve pulley then hook on winch
tower.
Im not sure why a winch brake was suggested.