Bow safety chain or strap?

[90stingray]

When should a safety chain be used and when should a strap be used? Both are in conjuction with the winch strap of course. My trailer came with a loop welded to the winch stand... i am assuming for a strap. But i drilled a hole in below the winch and mounted a wratcheting nylon webbed cargo strap. Didnt want to pay the $40 for the boatbuckle brand tiedown. Just wanted to see what everyone is running for a safety. I have a 17'-6" boat is on single axle trailer. Thanks.

 

[cribber]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

I personally use both my bow strap that's attached to the winch and a safety chain that is bolted to the winchstand. I always make sure both are connected to the bow eye every time we trailer our boat the 5 mile drive to the ramp.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

I hook up the safety chain, then take the slack out and secure it with an old transom ratchet.

 

[cajun man]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

On my boat i use a turnbuckle.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

I use chain wrapped around the trailer tongue below and slightly behind the bow eye. The transom straps will keep the boat from moving back if the winch straps break. The chain is setup to keep the boat on the trailer in case of emergency breking and the winch mast fails.

 

[tpassmore]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

if the trailer comes loose, you don't want the boat flying off the trailer. i lke Jeff's setup...removes all bounce and relieves stress on strap and boweye.

 

[JB]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

On my boat i use a turnbuckle.

Exactly what I use. Welcome to iboats, cajun man.

I don't trust the winch strap or the winch stand to hold the boat in the event of a collision or emergency braking. I turnbuckle the bow to the trailer frame. If the distance is too much for the turnbuckle alone, add some chain to it.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

I use the winch strap, a strap to hold the bow down and remove bounce and finally a chain from the bow eye to the trailer as a safety mechanism if everything else fails.

 

[the vision]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

I use the winch strap saftey chain hooked to the winch stand, and transom binders.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

I used to use those web straps, but they tend to dry out over the years and I'm sure the sun weakens them if they are nylon.

I now only use chains. I'm sure the turnbuckles work too.

This pic shows the benefit of using safety chains etc.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

and some people wonder why a lot of us don't like Bayliners...

 

[NYBo]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

and some people wonder why a lot of us don't like Bayliners...

As if another brand of boat would have somehow defined the laws of physics...

 

[speedgater]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

I have used both, and both are just a safety back up, but I like the webbing better because I can sinch it down to take out slack were a chain you can not. Just make sure the webbing or chain has the propper rating to hold your boat to the trailer.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

they actually as alluded to above serve different purposes.... the strap is there to cinch the bow down and the safety chain it there as a backup plan should the winch fail to secure the boat

 

[mphy98]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

I use all three. The winch strap, a bow strap, and a chain. Plus 2 rear tie downs as well. I take long trips to Canada and I do not want ANY problems. You can never be too safe, even if it is a short trip. Sometimes those can be the most dangerous. It only takes a minute or two to undo the straps and chains.

 

[jeffbyrd66]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

I use winch strap and safety chain.

 

[89mercruiser]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

We have two transom straps and the winch strap with a safety chain. When I load the boat the first thing I do after winching it snug i hook the safety chain.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Bow safety chain or strap?

Winch strap, safety chain and two transom straps here


I'm surprised nobody picked up on that dodge being overloaded........