Synthetic rope is safer in that it doesn't stretch at all. By itself, if it breaks under strain it will not snap back like steel cable will. If it is hooked to a nylon tree strap or tow strap or anything else that will stretch, then it can snap back and do harm. It is easily damaged on rocks. Although I haven't used it on a winch I did work on ship handling Tug boats of 5000 HP and we used it to secure the tugs to the ships, #1 because it was much safer and #2 it is very lightweight compared to equal strength wire rope. The line we used on the boats was about 2 1/2" in diameter and had a nominal breaking strength of around 200 tons. We did occasionally break lines and they would make a noise like a half stick of dynomite going off but the line would just fall straight down and not snap back at all. Some people swear by it on winches but the cost is hard to justify. you can replace wire rope three times or more for the cost of one synthetic cable. Steel will stand more abuse. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />