Winch cable vs. strap

[litespeed999]

I have a 1993 Sea Ray 240 Overnighter. After I broke my original winch cable, I went to the hardware store and bought a cable to replace. The cable I bought was plastic coated and I thought that would be a good idea. It wasn't! After winching a few times, the cable started to bury itself into the cable spool and got pinched and stuck. Now I need to replace it again because it wont unwind.

My marine repair shop suggested a strap instead of cable. I'm unsure where to find the weight of the boat, but I believe it is around 4600#s. I always thought straps were weaker but they said some straps can hold and crank 10,000#s.

If I go with a cable, what size would I need for the weight? Is there someplace where the boat's GVWR is located?

Please help this untechnical newbie boater!

 

[Lazy Daze]

GVWR is a car thing, not a boat thing. However, you can take your dry weight (if you don't have your original manuals, go to SR's website) and then add in your options (engine, etc, etc), fuel weight, water weight, batteries, gear.

Get the 10K strap and be done with it. It's more than enough.

FYI, another reason not to use the coated cable is that it will rust quicker than uncoated.

 

[Highliner]

Straps are plenty strong. Keep the stitching on the end out of the sun if you can.

 

[El Capitan]

FWIW dry weight includes standard power minus liquids.