Had to revive this thread. I now have a Smittybuilt XRC-10 (thing is badass.) Anyways, it has no button on the winch...it is remote only (if I am wrong please let me know but I didn't see one.) So, how could it work underwater if I have to plug something in??? It even has a rubber stopper that looks like it is there to keep water/mud out of the plug. Does anyone have an XRC10orXRC8 that they have used underwater??

 

bump bump....anyone got some winch and water/mud experience.... bueller....bueller

 

My Warn spent 12+ hours submerged and after cleaning works as it did when new. During the first hour under water, I used it to pull out a Jeep and it worked perfectly. The answer: yes, it will work (how long, I do not know), but your alternator needs to be out of the water or it will short out.