Conference vicki::boats

<    The current line (1/2" yellow poly) on my winch is becoming frayed and 
<    and I would like to replace it.  The boat is a 18' starcraft aluminum,
<    what size/type line should I replace it with ???   Will a nylon line
<    hold up to the wear and tear, water, etc.. ??   If I replace with the
<    poly, I assume it too will become frayed in a matter of time...
    
Steve,

     Is the line frayed just near the end or is it frayed along its full length?
If it's just near the end, you can get more life out of the line by just 
cutting off the frayed part and making another eyesplice to your hook.

     Regarding your question about nylon vs poly.  There's nylon line and 
there's nylon line.  All nylons are not equal.  I suspect decent nylon line
with characteristics equivalent to your yellow poly will be significantly
more expensive than replacement polypropalene (sp?).  Another option you might
want to consider is flat webbing/strap vs the round line.

IMHO

Al

	The only reason that I can think of for  NOT  using nylon line
on a winch is that it stretches too much - this can lead to problems. 
a)  It packs down on the drum, this can make unspooling it very
difficult at launch   b)  More importantly, stretched nylon rope can
store an incredible amount of energy - translation; if it breaks while
you are winching it could cut off significant portions of your
anatomy.  So, I recommend the investment of a few more bux for a web 
strap - or at least go for low stretch rope.

	Reg

    Having just returned from Nova Scotia and launching/winching(sp?) the
    boat -16 alum/50 hp Merc) from some fairly drastics launch
    ramps/shoreline I'd be very intersted in this strap. Can you reply
    what this strap 'line' is?
    
    Incidently we used 3/8 nylon and winched a good portion of the boat
    onto the trailer, dry..no slope to shoreline...the rope did pack down and
    did snap exactly 2 inches from the lock position..not nice..lots of
    force. 
    
    BBrown

    
    How about 3 strand wire cable.
    
    Its been a long while since i trailered, 
    
    
    
    JIm

    I would replace the polypropylene rope one more time but this time add
    one of the protective eyelets to the end of the rope (hook end) if
    that's where it's fraying.  If you don't have to winch for great
    distances, you may even be able to go with a larger size rope, you just
    won't be able to have as much on the winch drum.  The protective
    eyelets are available at any good hardware store.  
    Wayne

re .3	Almost any boat yard or trailer place should have them, about 
20 or 25 ft long, 2 inches or so wide and (guess..) $20 or so, maybe 
$25 now - its been a while since I had any interest.


re .4                    
>                              -< how about wire. >-

    
>    How about 3 strand wire cable.

	I tried the plastic covered stuff on the previous boat trailer 
for a while, couple of problems;

a)	The plastic splits and cracks fairly quickly
b)	The wire kinks, then it frays, then you get bits of it stuck 
	in your thumbs, fingers, hands, wherever - NOT nice.
    
>    Its been a long while since i trailered, 

	Its been a long time since I  "winched"  (-:    
    
    
>    JIm


	Reg {drive_on}

    Thanks for the pointers..   The line is frayed/dulled pretty much along
    the first 10 - 13 feet or so..   I need to replace it, just have
    thoughts of winching up and it letting go..   I thought nylon would
    be too strechy and might get waterlogged and rot (being rolled up all
    wet for long periods of time).  Guess I will go get some more poly and
    expect the replace it when it too becomes frayed....
    
    Steve

Poly is the least expensive way to go. Poly has the least stretch of the
non-wire materials for winch lines, but it dies from exposure to
ultraviolet.

I put a strap on my small boat trailer this season for the first time.
It's working out very well so far. One downer: because there is no swivel
joint anywhere in the line, when I pull the strap off the winch to
retrieve the boat I have to keep the hook in the exact right orientation.
There can be no twist in the strap. 

My big trailer has a power winch, so it uses wire cable. I used wire on a
small trailer for a while, but it (like a previous reply) developed "fish
hooks" or small wire strands sticking out that love to bloody your hands.

Art

    I checked out the rope selection in the boating section of my local
    Walmart last night.  It seems that the best ropes (ie: highest rating)
    are the braided ropes (versus three strand twisted).  Most of the nylon
    ropes, either braided or twisted, said "absorbs shock" which is another
    way of saying they stretch.  They had packages of 25' - 50' that were
    very reasonable priced.  If you do cut the rope, make sure you seal the
    end with a lighter or match when done.
    Wayne