Hi Mick,

Asked the same question years ago on a different forum and the reply was that braid dont work on Alveys.

Dont know why but i left it at that, if you try let me know how it goes!

Because the line loops so much when you cast I found the line catches the first guide on the rod a fair bit, I put 50lb Fireline on my 700 Alvey and had heaps of dramas so I tried a few other brands and ended up going back to mono, TD Sensor was the better one it didnt seem to catch the first guide but wind knots were an issue with all the braids I tried even in the heavier rated lines and it was torture on the casting thumb! even with a glove on casting heavy baits would cut into the glove after a few casts. When everything went to plan you could cast a mile but I found it wasnt worth the drama and ended up using 24kg Berkley Trilene Big Game, it casts almost as far but no dramas.

I was on a charter a few years back( can't remember the name) and they were using aprox 80 Lb braid on their alveys, worked a treat. Landed me the only dhu for the trip. So id say go for it, cause if it was no good the charter wouldnt be using it. IMO

I guess using them on a charter for deck winches though is much different to casting.

I'd have thought you would cut your hands to pieces using them on deck winches holding line to feel bites and set hooks if anything decent grabbed hold!

Ive had 20lb braid on my alvey for 3 years with no problems, never had a wind knot yet ( get my fair share on eggbeaters tho )

A couple of mixed answers, I also agree using braid on boats is different to casting and will work in that set-up, maybe I will try and put some old braid just to give it a couple of tries and see how it goes.

Thanks guys 

Just put a good length casting leader on as top shot ... I've not had issues

 the reason I am against braid on alveys is because when reeling it in, you need to generally guide the line onto the reel..... and if your bait gets taken on the way on by a fast fish/shark etc, say goodbye to your finger.

The reason it is essential to use a good mono and several swivels because every time you cast the line it twists because of the way it comes off the spool and then wound back on like an overhead. A snapper winch doesnt have this issue obviously. The mono has more ability to untwist where as the braid will retain the twist until eventually it'l knot up.  As leemo said, guiding the line with your finger is also a factor as well as cost. 

Ran 50lb Fireline on my Alvey for years, never had a problem. Never incountered wind knots, mainly because l made sure the line was wound on under enough tension.

l used tape or a glove to counter line burn.

As for line twist , just used 2 swivels as you usually do with Alveys.

Paul