Anyone use synthetic nylon winch cable? Or anything besides steel?

[MRS]

Do not be cheap buy the right stuff they run them on the jeep winches and they are pulling a lot more force than loading a boat.
When I did pull with cable not for boats but off road winches would always throw a jacket over the cable in case it snapped did snap one time came flying back faster than you could duck hit the jacket and fell straight down. Learned my lesson well Do not buy cheap.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Amsteel blue is the common rope (line of dynema, not color)

Used a lot of it up to 7/8 at my last job. Used the dynice dux up to 25mm as well (about 50% higher breaking strength than the Amsteel Blue) teufelberger dynema is in between

 

[dingbat]

Amseel Blue?

Advertised ratings are deceptive.

Working load 20% of rated load
Elongation rated at 30% of working load
Split drum only. No capstans or cleats
UV loss -10% per year

Need to go to 1/2” to replace my 3/16” steel cable

 

[JimS123]

Advertised ratings are deceptive.

Working load 20% of rated load
Elongation rated at 30% of working load
Split drum only. No capstans or cleats
UV loss -10% per year

Need to go to 1/2” to replace my 3/16” steel cable

I'm happy with my steel cable, but would entertain replacing it with this fancy stuff if it was indeed better. But, since I have all PowerWinch equipment with 3/16" cable, the 1/2" wouldn't fit on the drum. Its full now and I use the whole thing.

So, what option do I have?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Advertised ratings are deceptive.

Working load 20% of rated load
Elongation rated at 30% of working load
Split drum only. No capstans or cleats
UV loss -10% per year

Need to go to 1/2” to replace my 3/16” steel cable

Every synthetic rope comes with a rope cert (so does certified steel)

You may want to look at your steel cable rating and understand working and breaking strength there too. We went from 1/4" cable to 6mm Amsteel (increase in strength going staunless cable to dynema), because the LAME code changes. However upsized to 8mm to cover the customer perception.

 

[dingbat]

You may want to look at your steel cable rating and understand working and breaking strength there too.

Well versed.......Ex-Iron worker and OSHA 10-hour card holder

Just pointing it out for those unfamiliar with the situation given that we're discussing replacing steel cables with "nylon" rope.

 

[Captain Caveman]

I am another strap guy. You can't really go wrong with them for a boat your size, and they are easier to deal with than steel cables. I have a mining winch at my cabin and a winch on my ATV both still using steel cables. I wish that they were straps too!

 

[Earl Cordova]

As stated by others I would never use a steel cable again.
Can't imagine how any aspect of using a steel cable would be better than a strap.

 

[JimS123]

As stated by others I would never use a steel cable again.
Can't imagine how any aspect of using a steel cable would be better than a strap.

In my youth I tried a steel cable on a hand crank winch that came with a rope. Since the arbor was so small the cable was always kinking, and thus found to be inappropriate. The solution was to go to a thicker rope to avoid breakage.

Next, hand crankers all came with straps. A better mousetrap for sure. The downside was leaving them in the sun too long because they don't last as long as a rope.

Finally, after learning "all the ropes" I discovered power winches. Now that is truly the best. But the good ones are designed for steel cables, and cannot use a strap. The power winches with straps, IMHO, are crappy for a number of reasons.

My little boats have straps and the big ones run steel. I've replaced many a strap but never a cable. Personally, no problemo either way. As with everything else, alls ya need ta do is read the owners manual.