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Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)
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Author:  230 Mike [ Tue May 27, 2008 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

I decided this year that I was fed up enough with the hassle of the plain straps to do something about it. I bought a set of stainless transom BB's and a stainless bow tie-down BB. The big issue with BB's is how to attach them. I decided I didn't like the idea offered in the instructions, which is to just drill holes through the trailer frame rail. After a lot of head scratching and looking at different ideas, I finally ran into something very simple for the transom straps:

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It's a 2" x 2" x 3" spring hanger. Here's the pair of them, stripped of the dirt & oil from manufacturing, and edges de-burred so they'll take paint better.

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But where to attach them? After a lot of measuring and more head scratching, I decided to put them immediately above the factory tie-down points. This did result in the anchor point being about 3/4" farther aft than the original tie-down points, which I feel is acceptable. The other benefit of using the same location as the stock points is that the bunk above should prevent the boat's bow from ever hitting the BB or the bracket.

The stock tie-downs on the stock tie-down points:

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Since I don't know how to weld, don't have the equipment to try, and wanted this to be "right," I had the local trailer shop put the new brackets on.

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After primer & paint, they came out pretty good.

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The S hooks on the BB's each had a spot or two where the rubber coating was torn up, and it would only take one dunk to start them rusting. I was disappointed that for what these things cost (especially the stainless ones), I still needed to get a can of Plasti-Dip and re-dip and fix the areas that were torn up.

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The hardware that comes with the BB's is odd. Of course it's all stainless. It consists of a 7/16" fine thread flange bolt, a (sort of non-matching) A2 stainless flange nut with a different outside diameter, and a stainless flat washer. Mess any of this up, and good luck finding any of it at your local hardware store.

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For the bow tie-down, which I'll describe more later, I needed a 7/16" fine thread stainless acorn nut. I had to order it through Fastenal for $4.00 plus shipping :roll: .

I'll update this post with more pics as they're available. I should have them all in the next several days.

Author:  BrentC5Z [ Wed May 28, 2008 9:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

Really nice work so far. Glad to see all that "dry" time is going to good use. :D

Author:  Paradise [ Wed May 28, 2008 12:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

these are going on my winter to-do list

great install so far Mike

Author:  230 Mike [ Wed May 28, 2008 1:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

Thanks! The bow tie-down is in process now.

Author:  BrentC5Z [ Wed May 28, 2008 2:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

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Author:  M3eater [ Wed May 28, 2008 7:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

Nice beads Mike .........

Reminds me, I hafta get some gas :roll:

Author:  firecadet613 [ Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

What primer and paint did you use?

Author:  230 Mike [ Sun Jun 01, 2008 11:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

Krylon gray primer (grey Graham :lol: )

FW factory trailer touch-up paint - part #005-1231, "Sailboat Blue." It's actually PPG Delstar paint, packaged by DupliColor.

I've got a bit of a delay on the bow tie-down. The bow units come with a 4" long bolt, which I have no use for. I tried to cut it down to a more usable size but in the process I ruined the bolt. I ran the nut down first so I could use it to clean up the threads after making the cut, but then discovered that something about these bolts/nuts makes them virtually impossible to remove once installed. Apparently that's why they don't come with lock washers. It's strange. The threads look normal, the nuts aren't marked as being locknuts, and there's no thread locker or anything applied - they just don't come off once screwed together.

I asked IMMI to send me another 1.5" bolt just like what comes with the transom units. Apparently my request caused them to discover not only that they don't have any of the 1.5" bolts in stock, but they've also been sending the wrong bolts out to other customers. They're supposed to have a new supply of the right bolts in soon, and are going to overnight it to me when available.

Author:  firecadet613 [ Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

I take it you sprayed it yourself? It looks very good.

Author:  230 Mike [ Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

Yes, I did it myself and it doesn't look as good in person as it does in the pics :) . Don't get me wrong, it's pretty good, but as with most things that are painted, the color isn't a dead match and it isn't uniformly the same gloss as the original paint. Hopefully it's something you'd only see if you're looking at it with a critical eye, but this was one of the decisions I had to make as part of this project - that if I wanted the BB's, I might have to be willing to have a couple of spots where the paint wasn't perfect. That decision took me about 5 seconds to make :) , but I'm sure it would have been a harder one if the trailer were still brand-new.

Still, IMO everyone with a FW painted trailer ought to get a can or two of touch-up spray from their dealer, just to have on hand.

Author:  bugsdoc1 [ Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

:D :wink:
Thanks!

Author:  Cincy Aquaholic [ Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

Holy smokes mike. That's some detailed work for these. Here is how I installed mine.

1. Eye balled the spot on the trailer to drill hole and mount.

2. Extended strap to ensure adequate clearance. (found slight contact with my speedo)

3. Marked hole.

4. Drilled hole.

5. Bolted buckles on.

Something tells me I'll be due for a new trailer before I have issues with these things. But so far, they have been perfect.

Author:  230 Mike [ Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

Yeah, and the time you saved, you probably spent on the lake. I've heard about people like you. :mrgreen:

Author:  bugsdoc1 [ Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

Cincy Aquaholic wrote:
Holy smokes mike. That's some detailed work for these. Here is how I installed mine.

1. Eye balled the spot on the trailer to drill hole and mount.

2. Extended strap to ensure adequate clearance. (found slight contact with my speedo)

3. Marked hole.

4. Drilled hole.

5. Bolted buckles on.

Something tells me I'll be due for a new trailer before I have issues with these things. But so far, they have been perfect.


Cincy

Can you post a few pics. I am still trying to decide how to mount.

Author:  Walt [ Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Buckles (Lots of pics - size warning)

Really, it looks great mike... I like it.

IMO.. The time I spend NOT installing buckles will be spent on the water. The money NOT spent on buckles will go into the gas tank. But your's looks prettier than mine on the trailer anyhow.

FYI.... I finished the break in period this weekend!!!!! 8)

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