How To Replace a Boat Winch Strap

The right tool for this job

Trailer Winch Strap Replacement

2 inch wide by 20 foot woven polyester strap with a sewn on zinc coated steel hook and spring closure. Choose 5000 lb or 10000 lb break strength.

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To replace a boat winch strap, first park the trailer on level ground, keep it coupled to the tow vehicle with the parking brake set, and chock the wheels. Then secure the boat on its own with the bow safety chain or another manufacturer approved bow restraint, plus transom tie downs, so nothing depends on the winch strap. Only then unwind the old strap from the winch drum, free its end from the drum slot or fastener, and attach the new strap the way the winch manual specifies. Wind it on with light tension so it stacks evenly, and test it before you tow. Replace any strap that is frayed, cut, stiff or badly faded. Never do this job on a ramp or while the strap is under load.

Replacing a winch strap is a simple job for most boat owners, and it protects the boat and trailer you already have. In the video above, Live 2 Fish replaces the winch strap on his boat trailer to get ready for the busy season. He uses the Better Boat Winch Strap. Watch it first, then use the sections below for the details.

When to Replace a Frayed Winch Strap

Inspect the whole length of the strap, not just the part you can see on the drum. Pull out the full length and look at it in good light. Replace the strap at the first sign of any of these problems.

• Frayed or fuzzy edges, or any cut, nick or snag in the webbing
• Faded, chalky or stiff webbing from sun exposure
• Shiny, melted or glazed spots from rubbing or heat
• Loose, broken or pulled stitching, especially where the hook is sewn on
• A rusty, bent or worn hook, or a spring closure that sticks
• Stains or buildup from chemicals, fuel or heavy salt that leave the strap stiff

A strap that looks questionable is not worth the risk. The strap is the link between the boat and the trailer at the ramp, so replace it rather than hope it holds one more season.

How Strong a Winch Strap Do You Need

Strap strength cannot be picked from boat weight alone. The right capacity depends on the winch, the trailer setup and the ramp conditions you use. Follow the compatibility and capacity guidance from the winch, trailer and strap manufacturers, and never exceed the lowest rated part of the system, whether that is the strap, the hook, the winch or the mounting.

Two numbers matter on any strap. Break strength is a rated test value for a new strap, and it is not an allowable load. Working load is the lower figure meant for everyday use, so go by the working load and the manufacturer's instructions. Wear, knots, damaged hardware and rough loading conditions can all reduce what a strap can safely handle.

The Better Boat Trailer Winch Strap Replacement is a 2 inch wide by 20 foot woven polyester strap with a zinc coated steel hook and spring closure sewn on. It comes in two ratings.

• 5000 lb break strength, with a 1666 lb working load
• 10000 lb break strength, with a 3333 lb working load

Those figures are product specifications to compare against your winch manual, not a formula for sizing from boat weight. If the winch itself is worn out or too small for the setup, replacing the whole hand crank winch may be the better fix. For help choosing one, see Top Boat Trailer Winches.

What to Have Ready

Gather the new strap, work gloves, a camera or phone, wheel chocks, the winch manual, and the basic hand tools your winch needs, such as pliers, a screwdriver or a wrench. Some winches hold the strap with a bolt or pin and others use a simple slot. Look at the drum before you start so the right tools are close by. Also confirm that the drum and any guide fit a 2 inch wide strap. If the manual is missing, look up the winch maker's instructions by model number before starting.

How to Replace a Boat Winch Strap Step by Step

1. Make the setup safe. Work on level ground, never on a ramp. Keep the trailer coupled to the tow vehicle with the parking brake set, and chock the trailer wheels. Wheel chocks keep the trailer from rolling, but they do not hold the boat, so also secure the boat independently with the bow safety chain or another manufacturer approved bow restraint, plus transom tie downs. Only remove the winch strap once the boat is held that way and the strap carries no load.
2. Take a photo of the old setup. Photograph how the strap leaves the drum, which way it is wound and how the end is attached. Treat the photo as a reference only. The old strap may not have been installed correctly, so the winch markings and manual come first.
3. Unwind the old strap. Release the winch lock or ratchet pawl according to the winch's design and let the strap pay out. Keep your hands clear of the drum and gears while the strap runs out.
4. Remove the old strap end. Free the strap from the drum slot or fastener. How it is held varies by winch, so follow the winch manual if the end does not slide free.
5. Attach the new strap. Feed the end of the new strap into the slot or fastener as the winch manual directs, using the old mounting as a reference only where it matches those instructions. Make sure the end is seated fully and the strap has no twists.
6. Wind a few turns by hand. Keep the strap flat and centered on the drum, then take up the slack by cranking the handle. Keep light, steady tension so each wrap lays neatly beside the last and does not bunch to one side.
7. Check the wraps on the drum. When the strap is fully extended, it must stay attached and wound on the drum with at least the minimum number of wraps the winch manual specifies. If that requirement cannot be met, do not use the winch with that strap. Contact the winch manufacturer instead.
8. Test it. Hook the strap to the bow eye, take up light tension and confirm the lock or pawl holds. Watch for the strap shifting on the drum, then crank slowly until it is snug.

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Trailer Wheel Chocks

Two chocks with thick UV resistant plastic and rubber grip pads help keep trailer tires from rolling while parked. Pull ropes ease removal. Fits tires up to 26 inches.

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Should the Strap Go Over or Under the Spool

The correct routing depends on the winch design, so start with the markings on the winch and the manufacturer's manual. Use the old strap routing and your photo only as a reference, and only when they agree with those instructions, since the old strap may have been installed wrong. The strap should wind so that cranking in the tightening direction takes up the strap and the lock holds against the pull. If the lock does not catch while cranking in that direction, unwind the strap and start again. A working ratchet alone does not prove the routing is correct. If the routing cannot be verified from the markings or the manual, contact the winch manufacturer before putting any load on the strap.

Safety When Using a Winch Strap

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Boat Trailer Transom Tie Down Straps

Secure the boat with straightforward 2 inch trailer tie down straps instead of rope or chain workarounds.

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• Never stand in line with a loaded strap. If the strap, hook or bow eye fails under tension, it can snap back with force.
• Keep fingers, hair and loose clothing away from the drum and handle.
• Do not use the winch strap as the only thing holding the boat for road travel. Secure the boat with transom tie down straps and the bow safety chain as well, and see how to organize boat trailer straps for keeping them tidy.
• Requirements for securing a boat on a road trailer come from your state motor vehicle rules and the tow vehicle, hitch, trailer, winch and tie down manufacturers' instructions, not from US Coast Guard road towing rules. Check those sources for tie down and safety chain requirements.

How Long Do Winch Straps Last

There is no set number of years. Sun exposure, abrasion, salt, dirt and repeated loading can weaken or damage the webbing and hardware over time, so a strap that sits in the sun all summer ages faster than one kept covered. Make it a habit to inspect the strap at the start of each season and again before long trips. Replace it when it shows wear, whatever its age. For more upkeep ideas, see essential boat trailer maintenance tips.

Or Replace the Whole Winch

Sometimes the strap is not the only worn part. If the gear is corroded or slips, the handle is seized, or the pawl that locks the spool is worn, a new strap will not fix the winch. Replacing the whole winch also makes sense for anyone who would rather do the job in one swap.

The Better Boat Boat Trailer Hand Crank Winch comes pre rolled with a 33 foot strap and hook, plus bolts, washers, lock nuts and instructions. It is available in 1600, 2000 and 3200 lb capacities. The 1600 lb winch has a 4 to 1 gear ratio, and the 2000 and 3200 lb winches have both 4 to 1 and 8 to 1 ratios. Choose the capacity and gear setup from the trailer and winch manufacturers' guidance for your boat and trailer, the same way as for a strap.

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Boat Trailer Hand Crank Winch

Replace a worn trailer winch with a manual hand crank matched to your boat, jet ski, or watercraft load.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you replace a boat winch strap?

Set the trailer level, coupled, braked and chocked, and secure the boat with the bow safety chain or a manufacturer approved bow restraint plus transom tie downs. Photograph the old setup, unwind the old strap and free it from the drum. Attach the new strap as the winch manual directs, wind it on evenly with light tension, confirm the manual's minimum wraps remain on the drum when fully extended, and test it before towing.

How strong of a boat winch strap do I need?

Follow the winch, trailer and strap manufacturers' guidance, and never exceed the lowest rated part of the system. Go by working load, not break strength. The Better Boat strap is offered at 5000 lb and 10000 lb break strength, with working loads of 1666 lb and 3333 lb. Check your winch manual for its rating.

Should a boat winch strap go over or under the spool?

Follow the markings on the winch and the manufacturer's manual first. Use the old routing only as a reference when it agrees with those instructions. The strap should tighten when you crank, and the lock should catch and hold. If the routing cannot be verified, contact the winch manufacturer before loading the strap.

How long do boat winch straps last?

It depends on sun, salt, abrasion and use, so there is no fixed lifespan. Inspect the strap each season and replace it when it shows wear.

When should a frayed winch strap be replaced?

Replace it at the first sign of fraying, cuts, stiffness, heavy fading, loose stitching or a damaged hook. Do not keep using a strap that looks questionable.

Should I replace the strap or the whole winch?

Replace just the strap when the winch itself still turns smoothly and locks. If the gear is corroded or slipping, the handle is seized or the pawl is worn, replace the whole winch. The Boat Trailer Hand Crank Winch arrives with a new 33 foot strap already rolled on.

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