cable or strap?

[truline]

I need to replace my winch. I have been shopping and I am seeing a lot of strap winches. I use my 23' Bayliner exclusively in the Puget Sound (saltwater). So, which is better? A strap, which I think will corrode quite quickly. Or a cable, gavinized or not, which in my opinion seems to last quite a long time.

 

[Godfirst]

Re: cable or strap?

I have the same problem needing to replace my winch, basically heavier applications should go with a cable, but they are very dangerous and will causes serious injuries and so on, a strap is more practical for freshwater applications depending on your use of your boat.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: cable or strap?

Weight is weight and durability is durability. You need a strap or cable capable of handling the load it must tug. Beyond that is simply a matter of choice. Replacing a strap every couple of years is easier than replacing a cable that ultimately develop the annoying little slivers that stick you unless you wear heavy leather gloves which guiding the winch. And by the way, both cable and straps can hurt you if they break.

 

[JB]

Re: cable or strap?

Curious how you expect a nylon or poly strap to corrode.

There are straps available for much bigger boats than yours. A strap would be my hands down choice.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: cable or strap?

Agreed, strap hands down, but, UV rays will end their longivity. Splinters will be dust particles not torn skin.

 

[truline]

Re: cable or strap?

I work in the theatre industry and have seen nylon slings lift very heavy loads. My curiosity is more about the longevity of straps vs. cable when exposed to saltwater use. Ideally I would not be putting the strap or cable in the water, but things happen and it would be nice to know.

 

[MRS]

Re: cable or strap?

Straps no cut fingers or hands plus will not hurt trailer paint. But I do change out strap every two years just because they are not that much and cheap insurance to not have a problem......

 

[DaNinja]

Re: cable or strap?

I understand, but my straps are orginal on both trailers. When I replace them, it will be with another strap.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: cable or strap?

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=337574

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: cable or strap?

Ive had both and to me it seems like a strap feeds on and off more smoothly. Over all the strap is easier to handle... IMO. The cable tended to bind up on itself on the winch, if there was alot of tension on it. And when the individual wires start to wear and break, they wanna draw blood. BTW My strap is original 23 yrs old and it just now is starting to frey. My vote ... STRAP

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: cable or strap?

In response to Alpheus post.
There ya go. The poll results sez it all. I'm in the majority too.....

 

[tboltmike]

Re: cable or strap?

Ive had both and to me it seems like a strap feeds on and off more smoothly. Over all the strap is easier to handle... IMO. The cable tended to bind up on itself on the winch, if there was alto of tension on it. And when the individual wires start to wear and break, they wanna draw blood. BTW My strap is original 23 yrs old and it just now is starting to frey. My vote ... STRAP

Ditto my experience. I don't submerge my axle and electic winch pulls the boat in 3/4 of its length. .The trailer has rollers
My Powerwinch was not designed for strap, but jury rigged. It is much easier to pull out and has no pulling the boat in.

As stated above, really enjoy not getting my fingers stabbed and not having a binding, wrapped set cable.

However, I use the winch for other purposes off the trailer and not having the capability the pulley will be a pain.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: cable or strap?

They don't call those broken strands on the cables "fishhooks" for nothing!!
I'll go with straps

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: cable or strap?

My trailer came with the cable. That winch was the first thing to go in the trash and a new winch with a strap was installed.
Those broken cable wires really hurt!

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: cable or strap?

MKy last boat had a cable on a 10,000 power wench. It ran 30 ft long. When the tide is really out and your trying to load your boat on the trailer a cable can't be beat. Now my 24 ft Pontoon boat has a strap. I like it but it doesn't seem long enough.How long do the go.?Can I put one on as power wench. I keep the old one.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: cable or strap?

I'm not saying theres anything wrong with cable but coming from a competitive four wheeling back ground we were required to change all wire rope cabled winch's to rope/poly rope because of the danger of the wire rope breaking and I have seen more then a couple break, luckily I have never seen anyone get hurt but my lord the damage the wire did to what ever it hit on the rebound was amazing. There's no way I would use cable it just isn't worth it in fact I don't see how longevity even plays into the arguement straps are cheap and more importantly safer.

 

[Fed]

Re: cable or strap?

The first Powerwinch (712) I bought came with a SS cable and it was a pleasure to use. Later Powerwinches came with Gal cables which I have now, not sure if going to Gal was cost cutting or if the SS cables presented problems.
When my current Gal one looks a bit ordinary I'm going to replace it with SS.
No flames guys I've heard it all before.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: cable or strap?

My OLD boat had a cable.. Use to tangle up.. Sometimes was hard to pull out..
The boat I have now has a strap.. It is so much better.. Faster, no tangles and no little pokers to stick ya and ruin a perfect day. Go with a strap

 

[Vanover]

Re: cable or strap?

STRAP hands down. No cuts, tangles, and is way easier to change. Salt water wont mater witht the fabric, just get one with quality ends. You wont be sorry.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: cable or strap?

90 % votes for the strap so far. Actually more but theres one kinda iffy