Synthetic cable (rope) is fine, but much more susceptible to abrasion or cutting if it gets over something sharp. Definitely the same length of cable is lighter when using synthetic, and breaking a line you get less inertial whip out of rope. As to your spooling issue, easiest is to make sure you align your drum with the cable direction. The only winch I knew of that had a cable spooling guide was a Hickey Sidewinder winch. Don't think they are made anymore, but it had a stainless steel spring band that covered the winch drum, and applied pressure down on the coil to keep the loops in alignment, and each successive layer expanded the band. I can't quite picture your set up, and why you can't guide it to spool in straight, but sometimes a simple gloved hand can keep things in line. Good luck.
