Winch Line

[kwikk9]

I tow a 13' Boston Whaler. Last weekend the 20 year old line on the trailer winch finally gave out. It appears to be poly. Do I have to replace the line with poly or can I use the 15' x 1/2" nylon line that I have on hand?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winch Line

Ayuh,... You can use Whatever'll fit on the drum,+ pull the boat on....

 

[kwikk9]

Re: Winch Line

Thanks for the reply. I wanted to use what I already have on hand and save a few coins. It's a fairly light boat that practically parks itself on the rails. Only requires a little winching to snug it up.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Winch Line

Winch straps are really cheap ($15 for a strap and hook). I'm pretty thrifty, but even I went ahead and bought one. Buy the type made of seat belt material and worry about it again in 5-10 years.

 

[kwikk9]

Re: Winch Line

I was looking at those straps in WalMart today, lowkee. When this repair goes I'll probably go that route. That seat belt material is tough stuff.

 

[JB]

Re: Winch Line

Go with the strap and skip a meal out.

 

[kwikk9]

Re: Winch Line

Aye Aye, Sir. You have the final word, JB.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Winch Line

I agree with JB. Those winch straps are much stronger under load than a rope. I've used both and the strap is just so much smoother as well.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winch Line

Ayuh,.... I bought a Strap the last time,.... I'm Not impressed.... It'll be back to a Rope shortly....

No reason for a 10,000lb. strap to hold a 1000lb load...

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Winch Line

As long as the winch line whatever it may be made of is stronger than the load it will be subjected to then all is well. Be sure to keep an eye to condition if you have something that will be "just strong enough" as if it deteriorates a little it is more likely to give out on you at just the wrong time. If you have something well over rated it has to be in a pretty dismal condition to give out on a small load.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Winch Line

use rope on hand and buy a tank of gas with the savings.

However I have observed that if you use clothesline, a 17' whaler will get half way up on the rollers before the line will pop and the boat will re-launch. (This was as I predicted, out loud, to my friend who insisted it would be OK.) And if the incompetent help already tossed the lines in when the boat was half-way up....

I also know: You can pole vault from a dock to a drifting boat on a shove pole.

Point is, small boat, no worries. float on, not much worries. For us salties who launch and retrieve dry, we have to be careful.

 

[kwikk9]

Re: Winch Line

Great advice from everyone. Thanks to you all. Apparently, there is no definitive answer. I stopped at West Marine in Portsmouth, NH this afternoon to buy some plugs. I asked their opinion about the line and the salesperson said I should go with what I have on hand. He showed me a 20' 3/8" prepackaged winch line which ran about $30. We both agreed that it was pricey. Honest salesperson for sure.

Note to HomeCookin: What is a shove pole? LOL about your story!