Extra strap over boat ?

[sid the squid]

Hello everybody, I have a 21' bayliner and a single axle trailer with two straps from the transom to the trailer, and the winch strap holding the front, along with the safety chain. My question is should I throw another strap over the front of the boat to hold it on the trailer of would that be unnecessary? I appreciate any info you could give me, thanks

 

[tommays]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

there should be something extra on the bow eye mine has a saftey chain in addition to the winch strap<br /><br />some trailers have a turnbuckel that really holds it down <br /><br />straps will tend to chafe up the finish the eye SHOULD be the strongest place<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[sid the squid]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

Yeah I have a chain too, maybe I'm being paranoid but it doesn't seem like it would keep the boat on the trailer if the ride got rough

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

When the winch post, winch, and bow stop are all adjusted properly, the bow eye should be snugged up beneath the bow stop and held there by the winch strap or cable. The cable or strap should not be passed over the bow stop. The bow therefore can't rise nor can the boat ride up over the stop. The safety chain is a must just in case everything goes wrong.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

My practice has been to remove the normal safety chain, and replace it with a bow tie-down strap going from the bow eye which pulls down, attached to the trailer. That way the normal winch strap is snug pulling the bow eye forward against the bow stop as like normal, as well as the safety strap snugly pulling the eye DOWN against the stop. With the pair, there is not possible for anything to move or bounce, and you have the safety of redundancy. I feel this is somewhat better than the typical bow safety chain which is just dangling there loosely, offering no support except in the event of a winch strap failure.<br /><br />I found this site, the first two photos show a similar setup to mine: http://www.immioutdoors.com/boatbuckle/products_misc.htm <br /><br />However you can rest assured that your current setup is common and perfectly adequate, and I see no benefit to another strap slung over the top.

 

[am_dew]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

Good question. My Dad, who owned my boat previous to me, says he always put a strap around the middle of the boat when towing it very far, and yet I hardly ever see boats of any size with a strap like that...just the two transom straps, the winch strap and a safety cable.<br /><br />On a related subject, today, I replaced the bow eye on my boat (see another post here about that) and it got me thinking about the fact that my bow stop on the winch post is below the bow eye. I was going to move the winch post forward on the trailer tongue and raise it but when I did I realized that would not work because of where my winch is mounted on the winch post (see pic below). Seems I would need to mount the winch on the underside of the horizontal winch post bar or possibly on the boat side of the vertical winch post. <br /><br />For those of you who have their bow stops on top of the bow eye, where is your winch mounted on the winch post?<br /><br />

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

Bob, my trailer winch is very similar to yours. For that reason alone, I run a ratchet tie down strap through the bow eye and fasten it to the trailer near the forward most keel roller.<br /><br />In addition to that I use a caribiner quick release mechanism through my bow eye and then to an eye bolt on my winch post (instead of a safety chain) just in case all else fails.<br /><br />I have a roller trailer, and the transom straps only hold the boat from moving up/backwards. Without a bow eye tie down and the caribiner if I were to stop rapidly the boat could ride up on the bow roller or even worse it could fall off the roller completely. In fact my boat has a scar on the bow from the previous owner having that exact problem.<br /><br />I hope to rearrange my winch set up for next season. I'd like to have the bow eye below the winch support roller ( I use a wide V-shaped bow guide instead of a roller anyways).

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

There are as many ways to secure a boat as there are boats. However straps over the top of a boat do little to prevent forward motion of the boat, or lateral movement/rotation in a sudden stop or crash scenario. Without a bow safety chain or ratchet strap as some use, and rear tie downs, the bow can easily ride up the bow stop and be loaded into the back of the tow vehicle. Two tie downs in the back and securing the bow is all that's necessary to secure the boat. As mentioned earlier, it preferable to have the bow eye and winch strap below the bow stop to prevent ride-up. If that's not possible with the current trailer design, then a ratchet strap or other similar method should be used.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

Just to clarify the arrangement I use, see image below:<br /> <br />You can see the ratchet strap, and the caribiner for safety.

 

[am_dew]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

Thanks AMD for the pic and suggestions. I may install something like that one mine. I would have to raise my winch post to get the bow eye closer to it so a caribiner would reach, but that's no big deal. Is the caribiner the kind where the opening screws shut?

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

Its actually a twist type, which requires you to ratate the locking sheath before it will open. I tried the threaded type, but they seem to get more difficult to open over time. Boat ramps are busy places, and I wanted something simple&quick.<br />

<br /><br />Note: I am not sure if there are any state laws which specify that you -must- have a safety "chain". This caribiner may not meet state requirements.

 

[monoshock]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

Originally posted by Upinsmoke:<br /> Without a bow safety chain or ratchet strap as some use, and rear tie downs, the bow can easily ride up the bow stop and be loaded into the back of the tow vehicle.

I saw that happen to a guy in an ElCamino ones in Florida.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

Surprised at the question really!<br /><br />If you're concerned about safety when towing - and you obviously are, or you wouldn't have asked the question - then go ahead and fit an extra strap for your own peace of mind.<br /><br />Can't do harm - I've thrown an extra strap over mine for years without any signs of chafing or deforming the rubbing strip - and you'll sleep better!

 

[BillP]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

I keep the winch strap tight and then secure a line from the bow eye straight down to the trailer frame. That keeps the boat from going fwd or up. Then at the stern (depending on the boat)I use rachet straps or a strap over the top of the gunnels to keep the boat down on the trailer. I want the boat to stay glued to the trailer no matter what it takes.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

BillP: I want the boat to stay glued to the trailer no matter what it takes.

Guess most of us feel the same way.

 

[am_dew]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

I decided to reposition my winch post and winch so that the bow eye would come up under the bow stop. Here are "before and after" shots:<br /><br />Before: http://www.panix.com/~am_dew/IMG_3553.jpg <br /><br />After: http://www.panix.com/~am_dew/IMG_3555.jpg <br /><br />Only problem now is the winch handle is too long and hits the boat. Will need to shorten it or replace it with a shorter one.

 

[polyb]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

The bow tie down is a good idea. Otherwise the anti-reverse on your winch is taking a lot of strain. The metal can fatigue and fail, and as I have found it is very inconvenient when it does as you are only left with a loose chain.

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Extra strap over boat ?

Safety Chain saved me from a SHT one day. <br />Loaded the boat, pulled out to go up the hill and empty the boat. Fella waves me down, I stop and he points out that I had forgotten to lock the anti-reverse on the winch The safety chain kept her on the trailer, or it would have been UGLY!!<br /><br />AK Chappy