Alternative to winch cable

Had a hell of a night last night.

Winch cable on the boat somehow jumped out of the spool that holds it and got caught between the gear and the housing of the winch. I was holding the boat and mate was on winch.

He didnt realise and kept winching, but it then got really jammed in there. Over 2.5hours to retrieve the boat in strong winds.

Have had a couple of issues with the cable before, looking at alternatives. Boat is a 5.5m glass.

What do people recommend? I need something that wont be a massive pain in the ass to attach to my winch. Have seen ski rope etc used in the past but my trailer isnt brand new and the boat doesnt just glide on there, so need something that can take some winching (especially for shallow ramps and beach launching etc)

 

Cheers

 

Dan

____________________________________________________________________________

When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:

n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or

n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you. 


Ryan C's picture

Posts: 1575

Date Joined: 08/07/10

cable

Fri, 2011-02-11 09:59

the braided cable (like ski rope ) is super strong for its diameter my last 3 boats have been 6m plus and i have had it on all of them it is the best imo, on saying that the trailer i have now for my seafox has the strap(seatbelt type on it ) which is good but you have to watch it carefully for signs of damage and i will replace it soon with the braided rope .   cheers

The_Wanderer's picture

Posts: 735

Date Joined: 24/09/08

Check out the Kevlar Cable.

Fri, 2011-02-11 10:10

Check out the Kevlar Cable. Strong and much more user friendly then winch wire. Try Martens Trailer Parts, BCF or your local boat dealer.

 

Ben

dkonig82's picture

Posts: 2091

Date Joined: 06/07/10

Cheers guys. I might take the

Fri, 2011-02-11 10:18

Cheers guys.

 

I might take the winch off the trailer and take it down to Bias or somewhere and see what they can recommend. The winch I have doesnt have the slot in the spindle to take a flat strap, it has a disc on the side and the spindle goes through that. Then the cable attaches to the disc using two bolts and a flat plate which is attached to the cable. Not sure how that will adapt to a cord or strap, but im sure I can rig something up

 

Dan 

____________________________________________________________________________

When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:

n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or

n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you. 

carnarvonite's picture

Posts: 8669

Date Joined: 24/07/07

Thread

Fri, 2011-02-11 15:11

There was a tread on this subject recently with the blue kevlar rope being the most popular. Easy to handle, long lasting and very strong

Auslobster's picture

Posts: 1901

Date Joined: 03/05/08

I can vouch...

Fri, 2011-02-11 16:43

...for the strap. Probably winch the boat up with it 60-80 times a year, and my trailer is like yours, rollers don't roll! But, as mentioned, you do have to keep an eye on it for signs of wear. I had one snap on me a few years ago...it just sort of fell limp, completely harmless. A wire cable breaking, on the other hand, would've probably removed my head. One thing I like to do, however, to help prolong the life of the strap, is to winch the boat right up hard to the nose roller on the post, then tie a 12mm rope between the anchor bollard and the drawbar of the trailer... then back the winch off a click or two. This way the rope is taking most of the weight/bouncing motion while towing, instead of the winch strap.

 

Did try the blue rope, and maybe I got a dud, 'cause it broke twice, but maybe it's just me since others on here seem to like it!

synthos's picture

Posts: 522

Date Joined: 23/06/07

strap?

Fri, 2011-02-11 17:54

I remember looking at alternatives to the metal wire and i belive it was only rated to up to 750kg ? did i get wrong info ? ben does bcf have that kevler cable?

wadetolley's picture

Posts: 2258

Date Joined: 27/06/08

Just

Fri, 2011-02-11 20:45

Get a 3 tonne one mate..you will  be sweet.

Posts: 1392

Date Joined: 08/01/09

I changed mine from wire to

Fri, 2011-02-11 19:30

the webbing type strap!! I just replaced it with new strap after about 12 months at the cost of $16.95.

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FEEEISH ONNN!!!

Ryan C's picture

Posts: 1575

Date Joined: 08/07/10

kevlar braided winch cable

Mon, 2011-02-14 09:03

i have the red kevlar winch cable on the 1500kg warn winch on my can am quad it is super thin but has a swl of 1500kg, you can get it from 500kg to 4500kg i believe. good stuff!!

dkonig82's picture

Posts: 2091

Date Joined: 06/07/10

That sounds the go then. Will

Mon, 2011-02-14 11:04

That sounds the go then.

 

Will have a look through the week. Was meant to happen on Sunday but never got around to it (I blame the hangover).

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________

When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:

n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or

n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you. 

Posts: 136

Date Joined: 03/06/09

Kevlar rope on electric winch?

Thu, 2011-03-24 15:50

Anyone have this kevlar rope on an electric winch?

Lastchance's picture

Posts: 1273

Date Joined: 02/02/09

Ive got the Kevlar rope with

Fri, 2011-03-25 09:01

Ive got the Kevlar rope with a 3T Superwinch and it is excellent. The rope guides itself on evenly, doesnt have any memory and obviously cant splinter so there is no worries running your hands along it.

Its pulls a 7.5mtr ally no problem.

I got it up here (Karratha) from a lifting and rigging company in the LIA called Nobles (A. Noble and Sons). They also have Jarrett winches, chain, silver/winch friendly rope, shackles etc at about 1/4 the price of anyone else here - which isnt that hard. Not many people seem to know they have all of this gear.

And no, I dont work there!

Posts: 136

Date Joined: 03/06/09

Thanks. Couldn't see any

Fri, 2011-03-25 18:26

Thanks. Couldn't see any reason why it wouldn't be ok.