Bshillam,
You can convert most old style cable winches to straps. The strap has a sewn in loop at one end and of course the hook for the boat bow eye at the other.
I have converted several of the cable winches to straps, by drilling a hole through the drum to except the bolt that goes through the loop. The only show stopper is that most off the shelf straps are 2" and some of the older winch drums were not that wide.
Take a look at a winch on-line that has the strap and you will see the bolt going through near the base of the drum.