What type transom straps do you prefer

[roscoe]

These are the ones I use on the 2 boats now.

Also have one of these that I put over the gunnels, extra safety and it keeps the cover from ballooning and flopping around.

None of these have ever loosed up, even on 1,000+ mile trips.

 

[roscoe]

Pretty near life sized photos.

 

[airshot]

Yes, the ones with the yellow protector are the ones I have. No matter how tight I snug them they are loose after a 15 mile drive. They dont get loose enough to fall of, but there is no tension on them at all. Hadvthe same straps with a different name on my 22' as well, same thing, never stayed tight. Added a ratchet strap to those, just in case, but now, I am thinking I need to correct this issue and not let it go...

 

[airshot]

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.

From what I have read, they need to be lubed a couple times a season, if not, you see the issues!! My boat gets watered frequently so mabey I should stick with something that doesn' t get dunked !!! Being retired has it's advantages and I do enjoy a nice boat ride whether I fish or not. Just gotta get out a couple times a week or more !!

 

[roscoe]

Only time I've had a transom strap loosen, is when the boat moved /settled, when going down the road.
The old trailer would flex a little and the boat would wiggle a little, and the straps would have a little slack in them.

Adjusted bow roller height and problem went away.

 

[airshot]

My bow eye tucks up under the bow roller fairly tight, then I gave a snug safety chain attached to the frame and then a tight winch strap, sovthe boat has no where to go forward. Thought of this before, but all my boats with over center latch transom straps have hadvthe same issue....comming loose. Thought it might be bad straps but bought new ones and had same issues. Just thinking here, if they will loosen by the boat bouncing a little, what would happen in an accident or a serious jolt....bye..bye boat ??

 

[Cortes100]

My previous boat had the 2" retractable straps, direct from the factory on the new boat trailer package. Mine were a different brand but same idea. Worked great when new. I only do fresh water, but after a year of in/out, they bound up and would no longer retract. Impossible to take apart, so pretty much a pain using them. The company did send me a new set for free, but sold boat, so no idea how long the second set lasted.

 

[Cortes100]

My previous boat had the 2" retractable straps attached to the trailer frame, direct from the factory on a new pkg. Mine were a different brand but same idea. Worked great when new. I only do fresh water, but after a year of in/out, they bound up and would no longer retract. Impossible to take apart, so pretty much a pain using them. The company did send me a new set for free, but sold boat, so no idea how long the second set lasted.
Now use the simple Kwik-Loc style and have no problems.

 

[airshot]

I have read quite a few folks have had issues with the retractable type getting stuck after a while. It seems the most popular have been the quick release models, unfortunately my luck has not been good with either set. I think my best bet is gonna be the gunwale strap with a ratchet. The ones I am looking at has safety clips on the hooks to keep them in place if they ever come loose.

 

[dingbat]

I think my best bet is gonna be the gunwale strap with a ratchet. The ones I am looking at has safety clips on the hooks to keep them in place if they ever come loose.

Do yourself a favor and go with a cargo strap over those sold as “gunwale” straps

Got my strap from a trucker who came to pick up some equipment we were shipping. Just happened to leave one on the dock when he left.

Much better construction with much higher load capabilities. I can bow the gunnels on my boat with fairly little effort if I’m not paying attention

 

[NoRulz25]

These are the ones I use on the 2 boats now.

Also have one of these that I put over the gunnels, extra safety and it keeps the cover from ballooning and flopping around.

None of these have ever loosed up, even on 1,000+ mile trips.

I concur, been using these for years and hold up well!!

 

[airshot]

Those are the ones I have issues with, but...I did buy the same style but with ratchet's instead of over center toggle. So far the ratchets have not come loose...

 

[Captain Caveman]

I switched to Boat Buckle (see below) retractable straps about five years ago. I haven't had any problems except that the plastic cover on when exploded when I was backing into a partially frozen lake. It still works well three years later.

Like anything strap that is wrapped around a bar, there can be some stretch but usually I think that the problem is that the strap is not tightly wound around the shaft. I see the same thing with my bow winch strap. I usually drive a couple of miles and then stop to tighten it up before beginning the long ride home.

 

[airshot]

I cant use rhe retractable straps as there is no olace to mount them....wish I could..