Strength of Tie Downs

[jiminmontana]

I saw a boat come off a trailer a few years ago. Pretty scary -- I wish that I took a picture.

I have a '57 Lone Star 19 footer. The eye bolts in the back go into the fiberglass that is only 1/4" thick without any build up at all. Just eye bolts with washers about 1" in diameter. Is this strong enough?

Also, how much pressure ought the straps have when holding the boat to the trailer?

thanks, you guys are great.
http://jiminmontana.wordpress.com/category/the-dead-boat-project/

 

[180shabah]

Re: Strength of Tie Downs

I would just use a strap up and over the gunwales, Quick easy and effective.

 

[jiminmontana]

Re: Strength of Tie Downs

Yeah, makes sense.

Concern is about the boat moving forward on the trailer when slamming on the breaks. Probably be OK.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Strength of Tie Downs

A side to side strap across the transom does nothing to stop forward movement of the boat in a head-on incident. The winch post will not prevent a catapult of the boat over the post. Depending on the strength, it may simply bend it. Here is a good example of why stern tie-downs should be used. Don't get me wrong. A transom strap is better than nothing.

 

[JimMH]

Re: Strength of Tie Downs

I would think that they would be strong enough. but if you can get to them why not put a backing plate such as a bigger piece of metal or alluminum.

 

[JimMH]

Re: Strength of Tie Downs

...

 

[jiminmontana]

Re: Strength of Tie Downs

Thanks for the info guys. It seems ez enough to just build up the eye bolt areas with additional material.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Strength of Tie Downs

A side to side strap across the transom does nothing to stop forward movement of the boat in a head-on incident. The winch post will not prevent a catapult of the boat over the post. Depending on the strength, it may simply bend it. Here is a good example of why stern tie-downs should be used. Don't get me wrong. A transom strap is better than nothing.

If the force of the impact was great enough to bend a winch post with yeild strength of #36,000 psi you're kidding yourself to think that a transom strap is going to keep the boat from running up the trailer. The only proven method of retention is a properly installed bow chain assembly.

Notice the broken transom strap hanging off the back of the boat

 

[jiminmontana]

Re: Strength of Tie Downs

OK. Will the eye bolt in the bow hold strongly enough? It is just through the fiberglass from the factory, that's about 1/2 thick there.
Thanks for the pic. The owner on the trailer looks like he's in a fog.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Strength of Tie Downs

Years ago I was rear-ended by a drunk at a stoplight.

The trailer tongue split in half.....the front half with winch stand stayed attached to the ball, the rear half became impaled in the back of the car.

The bow eye stayed attached to the winch rope, which in turn stayed attached to the front half of the trailer, but the eye pulled out of the stem.

The transom tie downs kept the boat securely attached to the back end of the trailer....the boat never left the bunks. However, the s-hooks straightened out.....a tiny bit more force and they would have let go.

 

[atx111]

Re: Strength of Tie Downs

Speaking of strength of tie downs....how about the Boat Buckle retractable bow tie down? They going to be as good as a chain if you lose winch strap or have to stomp on the brakes?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Strength of Tie Downs

stern tie down eyelets will do next to nothing in a accident situation. They are for holding the boat to the trailer only! Think of the leverage and force vectors involved, a sliding boat has more than enough leverage to rip the eyelets right out of the hull, even if it is built up. Worst case, those rear eyelets/tiedowns will pull the stern down, and lift the bow right over the post in the front.

 

[jiminmontana]

Re: Strength of Tie Downs -BoatBuckles

Re: Strength of Tie Downs -BoatBuckles

Speaking of strength of tie downs....how about the Boat Buckle retractable bow tie down? They going to be as good as a chain if you lose winch strap or have to stomp on the brakes?

BassProShops offers comments on their products. BoatBuckles have had a lot of bad or negative comments. Like . . .

"Product is best available,but I can't endorse it.Springs wouldn't stay in position,kept falling out.System wouldn't release properly.I wouldn't reccommend paying this much money for a system prone to failure."

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_1049____SearchResults

I'm gonna go with the super skippers -- welded chains fore and aft. EVERYone in my family has been creamed by a drunk driver. I'm due for mine!