Choosing The Correct Replacement Boat Trailer Winch Strap For A 24' Cobalt Boat

Updated 03/16/2025 | Published 08/11/2021

Question:

I have been reading several questions and responses and I am still unsure of the proper set up for my trailer. I need to replace my winch strap and my boat is a 24’ Cobalt with a dry weight of 4430 LBS. Fully gassed up the boat will come in at 4900 LBS. To me a 5000 lb working load limit is way to close for comfort here but I am struggling to find an accurate strap. Everyone I seem to find them comes back to the hook only having a 4000 lb WLL. My question is this….what in the world is the right move here?

asked by: Andrew W

Expert Reply:

It can definitely be a very confusing subject when trying to determine the correct size winch and strap for your boat. The important thing to remember is that you are not lifting the entire weight of the boat but rather pulling it across the bunk boards or rollers and typically you will still have some buoyancy of the boat in the water.

For bunk boards I use the 2:1 ratio. This means that the winch and strap should have a working load rating at least one half the weight of the boat to safely operate.

For roller bunks you can use a 3:1 ratio meaning the winch and straps have a working load rating that is 1/3 of the boats weight.

Looking at the Hand Winch Strap with Safety Hook # DL24249 that has a breaking strength of 4,000lbs with a working load limit of 2,600lbs. Using the 2:1 or 3:1 ratio this will allow you to pull a boat with a weight of 5,200lbs to 7,800lbs depending on your style of bunks. This strap is 2" wide and 25' long. If your winch uses a wider strap please let me know and I can find you the correct strap.

expert reply by: Bud M

Christopher L.

3/16/2025

I have a boat that is 2300 lbs, ‘99 bayliner carpi replacing winch strap thats frayed. The new strap has a wll 1672lbs is this good enough for my boat?

Andrew N.

3/16/2025

@ChristopherL You will actually want a strap that has a Working Load Limit that is more than your boat's weight, so I'd find one that is rated for 2300lbs or more. This # DL24249 has a WLL of 2,600lbs and would be sufficient.