Tie downs

Capt. Hoss · **Posted:** Thu May 02, 2013 12:28 pm

I have a set of transom tie downs for the boat and trailer but I am wanting to get somthing for the bow. I am also wanting somethinf with hooks at each end and a ratchet to tighten it down. Can someone steer me in the right direction as to what weight limit I am going to need. I dont want to go to Home depot and buy just any old thing that is not right. I want to be as safe as I can rolling down the road.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Thu May 02, 2013 1:07 pm

Chain would be the best. I compromised on mine and used stainless Boat Buckles. It's a lot better than nothing (which is how the boat was delivered), but more convenient than chain and won't tear up the paint on the trailer.

I changed the original transom tie-downs to stainless Boat Buckles too.

Capt. Hoss · **Posted:** Thu May 02, 2013 1:54 pm

I like those alot, especially since they are connected to the trailer and don't come off. Will have to check those out.

JeffLW · **Posted:** Thu May 02, 2013 2:11 pm

My boat came with no straps for the trailer also. I picked up a 2" wide ratchet strap from Wally World. Rated for 1800lbs. Works great for holding the bow. When it wears out I will get one like above bolted to the trailer so I'm not always looking for it at the ramp. :lol:

Capt. Hoss · **Posted:** Thu May 02, 2013 2:52 pm

I always keep my transom straps in the built cooler. So I always have them incase I have to use another trailer, but I do like the idea of these and will keep mine as a back up. I forgot to say thank you for posting a pic and the quick responce.

deafwish · **Posted:** Thu May 02, 2013 4:17 pm

I've used stainless steel turn-buckles (with a locking nut) for the bow.
Safe, secure and cost effective.

boater · **Posted:** Thu May 02, 2013 8:11 pm

Uh, Mike, I think there is a child under your boat.
Cleaning day?

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

The bow tie needs to keep the boat from launching forward in event of collision. The 1800 lb strap tie isn't going to accomplish that. The bow post can get mowed over then you have the boat up your butt.

The chain will offer much more safety.....or maybe even a cable with rubber coating. Those tie down straps just keep the trailer snug to boat to prevent bouncing. The turnbuckle sounds like another good option.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Thu May 02, 2013 11:29 pm

boater wrote:

Uh, Mike, I think there is a child under your boat.
Cleaning day?

You know it man. Scrubbing boat bottoms is work for young backs.

I agree a Boat Buckle won't hold a 5,000# boat from going forward when it's moving at 70mph. However, under conditions like that I don't believe anything will. And I was having some bouncing, so I felt the BB was a decent compromise. It completely eliminated the bounce. And remember, the bow tie-down is only 1/3 of the tie-downs trying to hold the boat back (not including whatever minimal help the winch strap might be).

FWIW, I asked my dealer about the lack of a bow tie-down at delivery time. They said FW stopped including them because they gave a false sense of security. I've never bought into that and believe it's just laziness/cost cutting and perhaps even some lawyer CYA on FW's part, but I do think people believe a chain will stop anything - and it won't. p=mv is a bitch.

If my boat was any heavier, I'd definitely go with chain or cable for the extra strength it certainly provides.

TFD2001 · **Posted:** Fri May 03, 2013 6:24 am

LOL, yea, the "Safety chain" they put on my trailer when I had it made wasn't much of a chain. My dog could probably break it with a good head of steam.. lol. Don't know where the logic is there.. A trailer rated to haul a 16,000# boat with a safety chain that wouldn't make a good dog tie out..

Capt. Hoss · **Posted:** Fri May 03, 2013 6:48 am

I was kind of thinking anything has to be better than nothing. I know in a 70 MPH crash the boat could become cargo in the bed of the truck, but with the 3 tie downs (2 transom 1 bow) how likely is it? I am not trying to be a Smart @$$, I have seen crashes do some crazy things.

EvilZ · **Posted:** Fri May 03, 2013 7:49 am

Might be interesting to start a spin-off thread about boats coming off trailers on the freeway.

Hint: It's happened to me... :cry:

Jdpber · **Posted:** Fri May 03, 2013 11:22 am

deafwish wrote:

I've used stainless steel turn-buckles (with a locking nut) for the bow.
Safe, secure and cost effective.

I have same set up on everyboat i have ever owned. safe secure and coast about $15 at home depot pr locat hardware store. Someone above mentioned collision. This is a key statement. Collision. A strap will fray and break instantly.

The best setup is chain/solid turnbuckle on bow and a strap from a stern EYE to the trailer. Can't trust a winch strap, to be honest I don't even use my winch but for about 1' to tighten to the bow roler then the turnbuckle does the main hold. Rated to 10k so plenty strong. Another positive of a turnbuckle over a loose chain is it pulls the bow bown solid to the trailer and the boat will not be able to bounce when going over bumps and train tracks or simi air turbulence on freeway.

JohnnyMarlin · **Posted:** Fri May 03, 2013 11:34 am

EvilZ wrote:

Might be interesting to start a spin-off thread about boats coming off trailers on the freeway.

Hint: It's happened to me... :cry:

Which boat?

Capt. Hoss · **Posted:** Fri May 03, 2013 11:57 am

I would have never thought of somthing like that. 10K wow! Mine is sitting a little higher on the trailer so I am not sure if somthing longer would be better or not. But a chain binder with some chain would work. If you hit somthing hard enough tho anything will break. I worked in the auto body industry for years, and have seen some crazy things done to cars. Also I was thinking about the strenth of the trailer eye? how much preasure do you think it can take in a collosion? Just kind of weighing my options here. Like I said above I want to be as safe as I can be towing my boat and carrying my wife and kids around. Like the Chevy commercial " sometimes the things you carry are more important than the things you haul around." I do understand that I have to watch out for others out there and when towing I am very hyper sensitive to my surroundings, sometimes it gets on the wife's nerves, maybe a little anal retentive about it but I would rather "be safe than sorry."

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