Wire -V- Strapping???

[madman1]

On Saturday my trailer cable snapped and was quickly fixed by tying a bowline in the remainig cable.

Question is do i replace the cable with cable, or give the mesh strapping a go.

Does any one use the strapping on a boat around the 5.5m size (Aluminium)?

At the moment the cable is still tied up and a bit rusty. I think a quick dowse in oil will rectify the problem in the short term.

Any ideas appreciated.

Cheers


Mad

[ShaneJ]

I dont like the straps much because you have to continually make sure its not twisting and folding over. Other than this they are good.
How about those super ropes? I have one which i'm about to put on my trailer.

[madman1]

What sort of $$$$$ are we looking at for the super ropes?

[ShaneJ]

I got mine on special for like $30. Its the largest/strongest available.
Sure beats getting wire splinters in your fingers ;) I have to keep reminding my self of this so I actually get around to fitting it :(

[Hookem_Herby]

I use a strap ... no problems with twisting and folding! ;D :P
having said that, when it comes time to replace the strapping, I'll be looking at replacing it with super rope material.

Cheers,
Herby

[madman1]

Where did you get yours from Shane?

Is the special still on?

[DaneCross]

Due to deckys request I have recently replaced my wire cable with Spectra Rope and by all accounts is doing a great job... anything for my deckies right? ;D
http://www.biasboating.com/trailer_winch.html scroll down, specra is about 2/3 the way down the page.

[sf17fisherman]

i wouldn't touch the wire rope with a barge pole however i do have the strap and do find it a pain in the rear end at times when yes you do need to sort out some twists on some days however apart from that you can't fault the strap
the demina (sp) roap is sure the go thats for sure
i have had a few mates with it on the smaller boats and have no dout it will be fine for the larger boats in the higher size and i knoiw that is what i will be replaceing too when the straps either give me enoght greif or start to fray

first time you use the demina roap spins you out as it look and feels like it is just about to snap and that is what your mind is telling you will happen as untill that time you have only seen big cables and wide straps pull boats onto trailers not flimsy thin blue sting :)

[rajawolf]

I changed to a strap...dont like it..if boat is not dead straight the strap winds on to one side of winch and twists:-[

After reading this thread..I think i might give this rope a go.

Cheers,

Tony

[ShaneJ]

Where did you get yours from Shane?

Is the special still on?
I got mine from a boating shop in hervey bay when it was closing down ;D

[JB]

Yep get the blue spectra , you wont be sorry. ;)

[bigmack]

I have always been worried about wire snapping and causing some grieveous bodily harm - we use a strap which is Ok. havnt heard much about the super rope...........is that its generic name or is it just Spectra?

thanks
Phill

[propdinger]

i have the strap but we only wind it on 3 turns so i will wait till it dies before replacing. i have seen the super rope and from all accounts its the go these days. the strap is bad for traping in the saltwater if it gets wet there for rusting the winch quicker


cheers
jeff

[The_Walrus]

I'vr got a 4M SeaJay pointy punt and have been using the spectra rope for 3 years.

Wouldn't consider anything else ;D

No wire splinters, no strap twisting problems.

Luc

[familyman]

If you want to really be a tight %ss you can cut your hook off your cable and retie it to some spectra rope .I did this on an old f/g runabout of 15' ,beautiful to handle ,bought 7m for about $20 .Only used about 5m on the winch ,the rest is an anchor line prussik loop(rock climbers will know ;))
cheers jon

[Spaniard_King]

I duno, the wire does it for me ;)

I guess havin the decky do the winchin, maybe I should ask him ::)

Garry

[Spaniard_King]

I duno, the wire does it for me ;)

I guess havin the decky do the winchin, maybe I should ask him ::)

Garry

[25_ponies]

I like the idea of the spectra rope, but the thing that's stopped me from changing to it is the thought of some thievein' bastard at the ramp likin' the idea of havin' it for themselves. It would take about 10 seconds to remove from the winch I reckon.

Does anyone that uses it ever had it stolen ?

[DaneCross]

Not yet. Never actually thought about that. I guess its a risk you take.

[dnej]

Dynema rope, same stuff they make bullet proof vests out of, thats my next rope, thats for sure, but you need to do something internally, if you have an electric winch. Anyone know what that is?
David

[billfisher]

I don't think anyone would bother stealing a $30 rope. If they did your rollers wouldn't be safe either. Whole trailers are a different matter though, they do go missing.

[The_Walrus]

I'd rather they stole the rope than use the whole trailer as a shopping centre.

In any case, I carry a spare spectra rope/hook just in case. Also makes a good tow rope.

Luc

[finding_time]

Madman1

My winch cable snapped on the very last turn i did before attaching the chain the boat then rolled off the trailer and out into the middle of the scarbrough boat harbour,the interesting part was that it was a Tuesday night at 1am and the middle of july and i was ALONE. Solution was to strip off and swim for it !!! No other option was available! The very next day i got a length of BLUE SPECTRA ROPE and have been very happy with it but i'm still gun shy when it get to the last turn of the winch. I guess something take a long time to get over..
Ian

[Jeremy]

for all you strap users, my 2 year old strap broke near the hook as we were towing it back from Gladstone to Brisbane about 3 weeks ago. Only held on by the safety chain and tie down!! The strap was only about 2 years old and had perished due to salt water and UV I guess. Pretty disappointing. I have now replaced it with the super winch rope for about $30, and I have also added a chain and turnbuckle. Have to see how the super winch rope goes over time.

Jeremy

[dnej]

Are you guys using the 5mm or the 7 mm. And what about the issues with electric winches, any answers.
David

[Gbanger]

i have strapping for my winch with a 5.25 alum boat... works a treat... nice to handle, twists if im not paying attention though

[familyman]

I used spectra bias cat no5125 ,its not the blue poly winch rope/string but an easily handled rope ,tons better than wire ,going to upgrade the current strap as it increases in effort the more it builds up.Just cut the hook off the cable and bowline it to the rope and bobs your uncle ;D
cheers jon