www.iFourWinns.com

Hi guys

I have a question about the right order to do things when driving on or off a trailer.

We launched our new boat for the first time on Friday, and we had a 2 hour orientation lesson from an instructor whose day job is a water policeman. He told us that you should always unhook the strap first, then the safety chain, and when retrieving, you hook the safety chain on first and then the strap.

Then we went out on Saturday with our friend who has a boat, and he said you should always do it the other way round, ie strap off last and on first.

Now my instinct tells me the water policeman's word should be taken over my friend's, but I'd be very interested to hear what you guys do.

Thanks

JB

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2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

For us, strap is last off & first on.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Plus 10 on that. Good luck getting that chain off if it pulls tight.

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1992 Baja 38 Special Twin 502 Mags

03 Stingray 3.0
88 261 Liberator 460 King Cobras
95 Bayliner 1850 3.0
77 Fiber Form 20ft 350/385hp
70 Wescraft 1800 SS 455 Jet

Lead, Follow, or get the Hell out of the Way!

Agreed. It makes since, but like he said, you can't loosen the chain once it pulls.

I undue all my safety straps, then loosen the winch a few clicks. With rails instead of rollers, the boat won't go anywhere until I "drive" it off anyhow.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Don't take anyting off on the ramp. Saw a guy dump one last weekend. Ugly!!!

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2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

+1

I disconnect the strap after the motor is running and the boat is 1/2 in the water. I use the strap to pull out of the water, the I connect everything else back up while out of the way.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Yep.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Exactly!

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

i have seen boats roll of trailers on the ramp. will i doubt that the boat would move much at all with bunk trailers, i dont want to find out.

i didnt know there was an order, we do them both together - well my wife does, i've never done it !

for me, before we approach the ramp, i loosen the shackle on the safety chain, and undo the winch a click or two. once in the water with engine running, my wife removes the chain, unclips the winch strap, and off we go. no problems ever

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Us too…. We do put safety chain on when we pull boat & trailer out from water..... We have broken our wench while puling trailer/boat out from water on our 260 before… Safety chain did a job to keep the boat on trailer (boat slide back about 5”)

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

FW didn't provide a safety chain, kind of makes the decision a little easier.

I don't trailer much, if I did I likely add a safety chain.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

+1

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2010 H190 4.3VP
Tow Vehicle:
2007 F150
Previous boats:
2009 H180 3.0VP
1996 Horizon QX 3.0VP