Just bought this pontoon from dealer, got home with no straps on back !

[Silvertip]

I used to have a bunch of photo's to post here regarding what happens in emergency or sudden moves when loads (like boats) are not secured. Unfortunately I no longer have those photos but my favorite was a RAM pickup with 20+ long cruiser sitting nicely in the pickup bed with the bow on top of the cab. There are many situations were boats roll off the trailer on a sharp curve. And no! A bow tie down is not enough. Physics 101 folks. An object in motion tends to stay in motion.

 

[wooky30014]

Yeah, I've seen some of those kinds of pics and videos, not pretty at all. Prompted by another thread here, I've got a chain as a backup for the winch strap in case either gives way during a road trip. I've been into boating off and on since I was a kid and no matter the size of the vessel they ALL had some sort of stern strap(s) to hold the backend of the boat

 

[JimS123]

Yeah, I've seen some of those kinds of pics and videos, not pretty at all. Prompted by another thread here, I've got a chain as a backup for the winch strap in case either gives way during a road trip. I've been into boating off and on since I was a kid and no matter the size of the vessel they ALL had some sort of stern strap(s) to hold the backend of the boat

Don't show me any of those pics or videos. I couldn't take it!

My personal story was standing at a red light waiting for the signal to change. It was 12 noon on a sunny Sunday. I was in a convertible with the top down, and my prized boat was in tow. The drunk with no insurance hit me from behind. The trailer coupler was pushed into the gas tank, the tongue of the trailer split in half. The bow eye pulled out of the stem. Fortunately, the bow tie down (not a silly safety chain) kept the boat securely tied to the frame of the trailer. The stern tie downs had their S-hooks straighten out, but they held. If not for the stern tie downs the 2 passengers in my back seat might have been decapitated.

Sorry to be so graphic. When people talk about not having tie downs I simply go ballistic.

The rest of the story was that the police showed up. I indeed did did have insurance and my losses were covered. The guy was arrested and my insurance company sued the crap out of him. The other good news was that the lady in the front seat ended up my wife and we have been boating trouble-free ever since.

 

[wooky30014]

Your end of story story is good, glad that it worked out for you two. I looked at some of the contraptions for backing up the bow winch and this is what I came up with, simple to operate and release, same size chain as the hitch safety chain

 

[JimS123]

Your end of story story is good, glad that it worked out for you two. I looked at some of the contraptions for backing up the bow winch and this is what I came up with, simple to operate and release, same size chain as the hitch safety chain
View attachment 359273

A safety chain will catch the boat as it is catapulting off the trailer. Just hope its strong enough. Better than nothing.

A bow tie down will keep the boat on the trailer.

 

[BucketLister]

I towed my new-2-me 33 foot boat home without transom straps, but don't tell anybody

 

[BucketLister]

I just bought a 30 footer and the seller delivered it to me and he didn't have straps which I thought was strange, but fortunately there was no mishap. I have been wondering about what straps to get for it. Any ideas?

 

[Silvertip]

I just bought a 30 footer and the seller delivered it to me and he didn't have straps which I thought was strange, but fortunately there was no mishap. I have been wondering about what straps to get for it. Any ideas?

Big ones!!!!

 

[wooky30014]

I just bought a 30 footer and the seller delivered it to me and he didn't have straps which I thought was strange, but fortunately there was no mishap. I have been wondering about what straps to get for it. Any ideas?

I'd say no less than a 2 inch wide ratchet strap

 

[ahicks]

I'd say no less than a 2 inch wide ratchet strap

You can find these, often very inexpensively (20 bucks?), at places like Lowes and Home depot. They're generally sold for tying equipment down on a trailer, so they're way too long. Cut to the right length, safe bet they'd be a super secure connection.

 

[wooky30014]

I had an Uncle who would use seatbelts out of wrecked cars, unbolted at either end with the buckles and either bolted to the trailer frame or used some heavy duty steel wire hooks to attach, he worked in the steel making industry and could get ahold of most anything steel related and other than his LoneStar Cruiser his boats were mainly Jon boats and less than 18 ft so they didn't need much. I used the seat belts that came with my 14ft LoneStar Runabout I bought from him, "dragged" it 500 miles from Ashland Ky to Atlanta with no problems at all. I later got a wider strap

Right now I have a 1-1/2 inch ratchet strap, it got me home when I bought Riff Raft and the ramp I intend to splash at is a mere 5 miles away and goes down back roads with about 300ft on a major highway. Any other and I'll get a wider strap

 

[Searay205]

Just an FYI. If the load falls off ANY trailer (boat or cargo) it is not covered by your liability insurance. You alone are responsible. If the load falls off as a result of an accident it is covered. But the second before the accident the load better be on the trailer..... I bought a couple boats and had to supply my own transom straps, you would think the selling dealer would but many dont.

 

[wooky30014]

I went the other day and bought a pair of straps with a max rating of 3000 pounds and safe limit of 1000 pounds. That should be plenty for a transom hold down strap

 

[JimS123]

Just an FYI. If the load falls off ANY trailer (boat or cargo) it is not covered by your liability insurance. You alone are responsible. If the load falls off as a result of an accident it is covered. But the second before the accident the load better be on the trailer..... I bought a couple boats and had to supply my own transom straps, you would think the selling dealer would but many dont.

The selling dealer is liable if they don't properly secure the load when it leaves their lot. Once you get it home, though, you're on your own.

 

[Searay205]

Selling dealer may or may not be liable, i know 100% sure you will be sued either way.

 

[JimS123]

Selling dealer may or may not be liable, i know 100% sure you will be sued either way.

Of course the lawyers will sue both. But in the case of MY dealer, I had to sign a paper indemnifying them of liability if I don't use straps.