What type transom straps do you prefer

[airshot]

OK folks, my current boat ( 16' Sylvan alum) is in need of new transom tie down straps. It currently has the over center buckle quick release type like my prevuous boat had ( 22' Islander) ...I have been looking at ratchet type straps as the over center style seems to come loose frequently. Cant use the retractable type like I wanted as there is nothing to mount them to on the trailer...are the over center type buckle straps faulty, should I try another brand, or is the loosening a common issue? I am looking at ratcheting type to get a tighter hold down with less chance of comming loose, is there a better rachet type (I need dual hooks) that I should look at. My searches havent showed much as to the pros and cons and better vs cheap. So...what is everyones experiences and recomendations. ????

 

[BWR1953]

I use these for my 16' Starcraft Kingfisher. They're over-center single shot and work great. No ratcheting required. Adjust once and rock on.

WAVESRX Jet Ski & PWC Trailer Transom Straps​

 

[racerone]

Most straps I see are too small and old to work when you really need them.

 

[JimS123]

Personally I like Quik-Lock buckle type straps. They have never let me down.

I will NOT buy a ratchet strap. They work nice and are easy peasy, but IMHO they simple don't hold well - always loosen up.

Many years ago I was rear ended while at a signal. The trailer tongue split in half, the bow eye pulled out from the stem and the rig ended up in the back seat of my convertible Chevy SS Super sport. But, the transom tie downs kept the back end of the boat firmly planted on the trailer. The s-hooks literally straighten out, but not enough to lose their hold.

Don't ask me about transom straps - it conjures up bad memories.....LOL.

 

[BWR1953]

Personally I like Quik-Lock buckle type straps. They have never let me down.

I will NOT buy a ratchet strap. They work nice and are easy peasy, but IMHO they simple don't hold well - always loosen up.

Many years ago I was rear ended while at a signal. The trailer tongue split in half, the bow eye pulled out from the stem and the rig ended up in the back seat of my convertible Chevy SS Super sport. But, the transom tie downs kept the back end of the boat firmly planted on the trailer. The s-hooks literally straighten out, but not enough to lose their hold.

Don't ask me about transom straps - it conjures up bad memories.....LOL.

Yeah, those are the same style as the ones I use. Good stuff!

 

[H20Rat]

haven't used transom straps in 5 years!, but... if I ever needed to, I've got a set of stainless steel kwik locks that work well.

 

[Scott Danforth]

2" Kwik loc.

 

[stresspoint]

a rule of thumb i have used since my early boating days is to lift the back of the boat with an engine crane with whatever i use , in a simulation ,if i can lift the boat 1 foot off the trailer ,i feel safe enough that once tied down in a sudden stop or trailer slide out the boat is going to stay attached to the trailer , i also only use bunk trailer , so this rule of thumb may not apply to a roller trailer,

ATM , i have 2 ratchet straps ratcheted down the remainder of the strap is looped from the tie hook on the boat down to the trailer and knotted off.
pretty confident that boat will be stuck to the trailer in most situations.

 

[dingbat]

Switched to 3” gunwale strap after having a transom strap let go when I cut a curve pulling out of a parking lot

 

[SkaterRace]

I use 3 racket straps on my old boat that was a 15ft crestliner from 1977. I did 2 from the transom to the trailer and one large one over the gunnels to the trailer on both sides. I figured in the event of a crash I wanted to be extra safe. I also didn't trust the winch stand at all so that was part of the reason for the third strap too.

 

[airshot]

Thanks for all the replies, it appears that the over center buckle is more popular, but in my case, they often loosen up while transporting my boat. So...do I have the wrong kind, poor quality, which ones work best ? The current models I have are the boat buckle with yellow rubber protector. Seem well made but just doesnt stay tight. When I am not using my boat, it sits in my barn, out of sunlight, and I release all the straps and winch tension while just sitting. My routine is to walk around and check drain plug, tilt motor up, tighten straps, make trailer plate is on, ( yes I have had mine stolen a couple times) lights work, tighten winch etc. gonna buy new straps, just need to figure which ones !!!

 

[airshot]

Most straps I see are too small and old to work when you really need them.

My straps are much greater than I need, when it comes to my boat/ my life I don't skimp. Total boat/ motor weight is about 1500 lbs or less with two inch wide straps rated for 2500 lbs each, they just dont stay tight!

 

[airshot]

I use 3 racket straps on my old boat that was a 15ft crestliner from 1977. I did 2 from the transom to the trailer and one large one over the gunnels to the trailer on both sides. I figured in the event of a crash I wanted to be extra safe. I also didn't trust the winch stand at all so that was part of the reason for the third strap too.

I hear ya ! My safety chain on the front is attached to the frame in case the winch stand fails. My transom straps are rated for 2500 lbs each, total boat/ motor wt is 1500 max. My problem is the straps just dont stay tight and the boat is definetly not moving forward !!

 

[airshot]

Personally I like Quik-Lock buckle type straps. They have never let me down.

I will NOT buy a ratchet strap. They work nice and are easy peasy, but IMHO they simple don't hold well - always loosen up.

Many years ago I was rear ended while at a signal. The trailer tongue split in half, the bow eye pulled out from the stem and the rig ended up in the back seat of my convertible Chevy SS Super sport. But, the transom tie downs kept the back end of the boat firmly planted on the trailer. The s-hooks literally straighten out, but not enough to lose their hold.

Don't ask me about transom straps - it conjures up bad memories.....LOL.

Yep....that is what I want to avoid !!!

 

[JASinIL2006]

I’ve used these for years. They are very strong, super convenient and I have never had them loosen. I trailer several thousand miles a summer, including a few hundred miles over really rough dirt roads. Never once have they come loose.

BoatBuckle G2 Retractable Bow Tie-Down - 14-43" - Stainless Steel

BoatBuckle® G2 Retractable Bow Tie-DownStainless SteelQuantity: 1Dimensions: 14-43""Break Strength: 1,500 lbs.Safe Work Load: 500 lbsIntroducing another industry first... the BoatBuckle® G2 Bow Tie-Down, the only automatically retractable ratcheting tie-down in its category!This system was...

www.iboats.com

 

[JimS123]

haven't used transom straps in 5 years!, but... if I ever needed to, I've got a set of stainless steel kwik locks that work well.

I don't believe there are many states that don't REQUIRE transom straps while on the highway. When I last bought a new boat the dealer made me sign an affidavit that I would always use them, before he ever let me leave his parking lot.

Truth is that most accidents (mine included in my other post) happen right near the house on 30 mph streets. Not using straps is foolhardy.

If you only drive around your backyard at your waterfront cottage, then disregard what I just said.

 

[airshot]

I’ve used these for years. They are very strong, super convenient and I have never had them loosen. I trailer several thousand miles a summer, including a few hundred miles over really rough dirt roads. Never once have they come loose.

BoatBuckle G2 Retractable Bow Tie-Down - 14-43" - Stainless Steel

BoatBuckle® G2 Retractable Bow Tie-DownStainless SteelQuantity: 1Dimensions: 14-43""Break Strength: 1,500 lbs.Safe Work Load: 500 lbsIntroducing another industry first... the BoatBuckle® G2 Bow Tie-Down, the only automatically retractable ratcheting tie-down in its category!This system was...

www.iboats.com

Due to the design of my Loadrite trailer, I gave no place to mount them, those are what I was looking at. The rear of my trailer is nothing but roller assemblies, the closest frame section is about 3 ft forward, would have to litterly crawl up and under to acess these. This 72 yr old is long past his crawling under days....but thanks, I wish I could use those !!

 

[airshot]

Beginning to think I might go back to a ratcheting gunwale strap...no place to mount the retracting units. The boat buckle units don't hold very well. Thinking a 15' long ratchet strap over the gunnel will give me a place on the trailer frame to attach them. Have always had good sucess with the gunwale straps in the past, my last two sets of quick lok transom straps have not been sucessfull, so guess it is time to change.

 

[JimS123]

I had a gunwale strap once. For the same reason, no mounting point right under the transom. But then again, there were no mounting points at the end of the frame either.

I drilled the outside of the frame and installed SS Eye Bolts. Used the ratcheting transom strap for awhile, but it wouldn't hold well and the boat would move side to side. Switched to extra long buckle straps (they make them in various sizes, and all was well.

 

[roscoe]

I’ve used these for years. They are very strong, super convenient and I have never had them loosen. I trailer several thousand miles a summer, including a few hundred miles over really rough dirt roads. Never once have they come loose.

BoatBuckle G2 Retractable Bow Tie-Down - 14-43" - Stainless Steel

BoatBuckle® G2 Retractable Bow Tie-DownStainless SteelQuantity: 1Dimensions: 14-43""Break Strength: 1,500 lbs.Safe Work Load: 500 lbsIntroducing another industry first... the BoatBuckle® G2 Bow Tie-Down, the only automatically retractable ratcheting tie-down in its category!This system was...

www.iboats.com

I bought a set of these a 3 years ago.
Loved them. About 7 launchings per year in fresh water.
Last year one failed, locked up. Couldn't get it to release.
Had to cut it off at the ramp.
2 weeks later, the other failed, would tighten almost far enough, then would slip loose.