Where to install bow chain?

[superbenk]

Another post wondering where & how I should install a bow chain on my trailer to be the most effective:


(click image for bigger version)

I thought about putting a bolt through the tongue just aft of the bow eye with a chain in an inverted 'V' shape up to the eye (mounted similarly to how the safety chains are mounted), but I worry about sacrificing structural integrity of the tongue beam doing that. Note that it is a single box beam that runs from the actuator all the way back to the 2nd keel roller & the sides angle in & meet the tongue beam just behind where the 1st keel roller is. It's a tilt trailer, but I never use the tilting mechanism to launch/retrieve & have no plans to since my brake line runs through the pivot point now.

Unfortunately I don't have a welder or experience to use one (I have access to an arc welder, but have never used one - I have used a MIG welder a few years ago, but I'm sure that's quite different).

I'm also thinking of fashioning a spare tire bracket to take the place of the straps the tongue jack is bolted to, so I need to take that in mind as well.

Any ideas?

 

[superbenk]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

I should note that there is a small hole that looks like it's for a hook on the winch platform between the two bow roller supports, but I don't really think that's the place to put the chain as I'd like something that doesn't depend on the bow post to work. Also, it would make more sense to have it aft of the bow eye in the case of a quick stop that sends the boat forward on the trailer.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

The safety chain is usually fed through the hole in the winch platform, which should have a slot as well for the link (think keyhole shape). More commonly, just below the winch on the angled support beam is where it's bolted. Usually, there is a piece welded to mount the chain to, but use of a grade 8 bolt is sufficient. I will attach a pic if I can find a good one.

You want to keep the chain relatively short and as parallel to the ground as possible when secured. Chains that are mounted on an angle will allow the boat to roll backward on the trailer rollers/bunks. The longer the chain and the sharper the angle will allow the boat to roll back further.

The common practice is to winch the boat up securely, attached the safety chain & 'S' hook, and then back off of the strap just a hair. This allows the chain to carry the weight of the boat and not the strap alone. Transom straps or a transom band complete the tie down.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

I should note that there is a small hole that looks like it's for a hook on the winch platform between the two bow roller supports, but I don't really think that's the place to put the chain as I'd like something that doesn't depend on the bow post to work. Also, it would make more sense to have it aft of the bow eye in the case of a quick stop that sends the boat forward on the trailer.

The chain is intended only to keep the boat from rolling back off the trailer.
The bow stop and winch stand are intended to keep the boat from moving forward during a sudden stop. That's why it's called a "bow stop".

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

Chains won't help you if you run into something, so don't even try to protect yourself from that. Worst case scenario, hit a brick wall at 50 mph. You are going to be wearing your boat no matter what. Doesn't matter how the chain is secured or how big it is, it will just rip the eyehook right out of the fiberglass.

Like the previous post mentioned, you are protecting from winch failure. Any force strong enough to send a boat over/through/around the bow stop isn't going to be phased much when the bow eye rips out.

 

[marcortez]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

The common practice is to winch the boat up securely, attached the safety chain & 'S' hook, and then back off of the strap just a hair. This allows the chain to carry the weight of the boat and not the strap alone. Transom straps or a transom band complete the tie down.

Without any slack in the chain (carry the weight of the boat) and the boat up securely against the rollers, how do you get the chain hook out of the boweye?
Can't winch it up to give sufficient slack because your saying "winched up securely and able to only "back off a hair"
I am pretty sure some slack has to be in the chain to allow removal.....but your saying snug, as in carry the weight?

I have to be reading this wrong.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

You're right. There has to be enough slack in the chain to remove the S-hook. I agree with the others who noted that the chain is there to keep the boat from rolling off the trailer in the event of winch failure.

As for winching up and then backing off a bit? Nope. I want the bow eye held tight under the bow roller. Mine gets winched up tight and stays that way until the tow is over. Then I back it off. Not before.

My .02

 

[45Auto]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

Factory set-up on my Venture trailer. The safety chain is only in case of winch failure or the winch strap breaks when backing down the ramp. It's loose enough to easily attach and remove. The hold-down is the heavy chain with the turnbuckle to tighten it down. Safety chain attaches to the winch platform, turnbuckle hold-down attaches to the base of the winch stand. The shackle in the middle of the turnbuckle goes through the safety chain to keep vibration from loosening the turnbuckle. I always back my winch strap off so there's no load on it once the boat is trailered.

(Those are just spare shackles at the bottom of the hold-down chain, seems somebody at the ramp needs one badly a couple of times every year!)

 

[45Auto]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

Don't weaken your trailer tongue by putting holes in it. It doesn't look like your winch post has a hold-down location built into it. Champion Trailer sells a kit for a bow hold-down that clamps around your trailer tube. See top left on catalog page below:

 

[LongLine]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

That chain is also there to prevent the front of the boat from lifting or going airborne when you're traveling down the expressway, in case strap breaks or winch paw not engaged or broken.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[hckplyers]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

Great information!

And because no one else said it, very nice boat! What kinda power ya got on it?

 

[JoLin]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

Great information!

And because no one else said it, very nice boat! What kinda power ya got on it?

I meant to, and forgot

Very, very nice lines on that boat.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

Thanks for the compliments. It's a 1980 Century 190 I got for free from a camp I grew up at that had it donated to them. It needed ball gears & a tune-up (initially). It's got the infamous OMC Stringer 400 attached to an OMC 140 4cyl. Since I got the boat, I've dumped about $3k into the restoration and finally got it looking and running great (in the driveway at least - still dealing with some engine issues that are frustrating me that I've dealt with in other threads). Here's more pics of the boat for anyone who's curious:

http://picasaweb.google.com/superbenk/1980Century190#

It seems I should have 2 chains in place, 1 to the platform under the winch on the bow stop to provide backup for the winch strap & another to the tongue to hold the bow anchored to the trailer. Thanks for the info about the add-on kit from Champion Trailor. That seems easy enough to fashion from parts at my hardware store, so I'll check that out.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

Added a winch strap backup chain today. Going to look into the tie-down chain to the tongue as well, but I feel a lot safer even with this small improvement.

 

[Thundra]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

I have the setup that 45Auto posted from Champion Trailers. It is worth getting for sure as it helps to keep the bow from moving vertically and will help a little fore and aft.

I keep my winch strap tight while underway.

I keep my bow chain on until just unhooking the bow strap when the boat is in the water.

 

[Av8nBill]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

You don't happen to have the part # for that kit from Champion, do you? I just looked at their catalog online and didn't see it. I'd really like to add that for peace of mind.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

Champion used to have their entire catalog on the web, I don't know why they took it off and only left parts of it on there. They have a stack of paper catalogs on their counter when you walk in.

Part number on the Bow Eye Tiedown Turnbuckle Kits:

BTK3X3 for the 3 x 3 size
BTK3X4 for the 3 x 4 size
BTK3X5 for the 3 x 5 size

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Where to install bow chain?

Without any slack in the chain (carry the weight of the boat) and the boat up securely against the rollers, how do you get the chain hook out of the boweye?
Can't winch it up to give sufficient slack because your saying "winched up securely and able to only "back off a hair"
I am pretty sure some slack has to be in the chain to allow removal.....but your saying snug, as in carry the weight?

I have to be reading this wrong.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I had mentioned that my winch plate has a "keyhole" shape in it. It esentially is a circle that the chain passes through and has a vertical slot on top. If I winch the boat up tightly against the roller, I can put on the safety chain and then slide a link of the chain into the slot.

When I said "back off a hair" on the strap, I meant one or two clicks of the handle. The strap is still basically banjo-string tight.

When time to unhook it, I tighten the winch one or two clicks, and then pull the chain link out of the slot. the chain is now free to feed through the round hole and remove the S hook.

Sorry for any confusion.