Some folks can get away with cheating safety. Years back a fellow was in a crash while towing his boat. Yep the boat had no safety chain and came up over the winch stand. Insurance company deducted a substantial amount of his claim due to his negligence of not having a safety chain in use.I see a lot of bass boats where the safety is just another length of strap stitched onto the winch strap.
Many folks gamble with their posessions, not me, I have spent way to much on my stuff to take the chance.