How important is it to unwind and dry you're synthetic winch line after it gets wet?
I had to pull a guy out of a major mud hole last weekend and my line got soaked...
How important is it to keep it dry?
Do they get dry rot if not allowed to dry after getting wet?
I just never thought about it until I used it again today and it was still damp from last weekend...
Thanks....

 

Good question. I would also like an answer to this since I'm in the market for a new winch.

 

I am in Northern Indiana and we have a lot of mud when wheelin' so I stuck with the steel cable. I understand getting the synthetic rope in mud can wear them prematurely as the grit gets inside the rope and abrades it from the inside. I never thought about the staying wet part. Good question on that one, weren't there instructions for care/use when you bought it?

 

We used amsteel blue synthetic rope off shore and never had a problem with it staying wet. But I would rinse it off and clean it up after you get done using it in the mud.

 

x2, amsteel synthetic was originally made for sailing

 

Didn't think about that. I guess just a good rinse would be good.

 

Good question on that one, weren't there instructions for care/use when you bought it?[/QUOTE]

Instructions??!!!!!????!!!! you mean that paper that comes with shit you buy with words on it that I use to start camp fires with??? I am supposed to read them things??????
Hell, I don't know, I never read the instructions until I'm sitting there with something half put together and nothing else fits right!!!!

 

"Keeping your synthetic winch cable clean and dry will also increase the life of your synthetic rope. A wet and muddy winch rope that is left on the winch drum could make your rope susceptible to rot. To clean your rope after a muddy ride, spool out the line, rinse it with a hose, and let it dry completely before respooling."

 

All rope, synthetic or natural should be left to dry completely prior to rolling/spooling or putting it away.