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My preference would be to go with a strap. The cable has a tendency to pull down upon itself and sometimes makes it difficult to release the cable. As well, the cable will get "splinters" which are very uncomfortable on your fingers when they prick you. Just make sure the strap has enough capacity to safely bring your boat onto the trailer and help keep it there.
__________________ jal
2009 Crestliner Superhawk 1900
175 Optimax Pro SX
Dodge Ram 2500 HD Cummins Diesel
Strap, but you might consider upgrading to the heavier duty yellow one over the standard gray one. It is thicker and has less tendancy to roll over on itself, plus will not fray as quickly. Who wants steel slivers poking them.
If you had an electric winch, then I think you have to use cable, but that is the only reason I can think of for using it.
__________________ 2009 NauticStar 2200 Bay Tournament Edition with 175 hp Suzuki 4-stroke
Fellas, I am 4 wheel guy and have seen the synthetic rope available for winches...this must be ideal for boat winches? Anyone thought of that?
r
One of the advantages of a strap over cables or ropes is that the strap winds over itself while cables or ropes can get stuck in the windings when under tension.
I know my new electric winch came with cable........I never used it once with cable. I've always have used a heavy duty yellow strap in the past and I always will remain loyal to straps over cable. For all the reasons mentioned above is why I have no use for cable.....been there and done that - never again.
I use an amsteel replacement for wire rope. This is a Samson rope brand of line that is size for size replacement for wire rope. No splinters, no maintenance, and no having to carefully leading it on like with the gray strap. Have destroyed 2 of those. The version I use is amsteel gray. Available at most marine supplies and is being used more in the offroad sector. It has little stretch and does not snap back as a result.
I............. and no having to carefully leading it on like with the gray strap. ...........
You're going to have to explain that statement to me. On mine, I hook the strap to the boat and hit the switch on the winch. The boat comes to the bow stop and I let go of the switch.
Strap here, and I keep Tyvek along with a nylon bag over the winch drum to keep the sun off the strap, helps to keep the UV off the strap thus prolonging its life;
Strap....after 3 seasons or so...cut 3ft off the end and retie it to the hook....the sun kills it and it usually breaks as you are dragging and cinching it down on the trailer...big surprise....
I bought a winch with the ss cable and hook. It buries itself on the drum, it has poked me with the fraying ends at the swage, and it way longer than I'll ever need. Has anyone ever used more than a couple of feet of their strap or cable with a bunk trailer?
__________________ "All bad precedents begin with justifiable measures."
Julius Caesar
Both cable and straps scare me in with a possibility they break when winching. For that reason, I always look forward when cranking to protect my face and eyes.
When a strap breaks, does it recoil forward like a whip, or fall limp?
Steel cable or Strap 
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