Jeffski wrote:
A bow strap keeps the boat from bouncing up and down. The winch strap just keeps it from sliding off the trailer. Sometimes I don't put the bow strap on when just pulling around a campsite from the ramp and you can see the boat bounce quite a bit more.
It's more likely flexing of the trailer you are seeing. If the boat was bouncing it would have to come off the main bunks.
I use a bow strap on the 170 only because it's light enough to where a strap would have a chance to keep the boat on the trailer in the case of an acident.
On the 288 a bow strap is a joke as is any strap really. In the case of an accident that sucker (12000# wet) is coming off the trailer! With three torsion axles (independent suspension compared to leaf springs) and 16" radials, I'd have to hit a serious hole ot bump at a fairly fast speed to bounce that puppy.
As to the "bounce" that most people see, I'm not sure I want the energy of the trailer flex transfered to the hull of my boat.
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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"