www.iFourWinns.com

I have a co-worker who is having trouble finding a transom tie down for his bass boat trailer. The issue is, with a nylon strap ratchet he can not "ratchet" it down far enough to tighten the transom to the back of the trailer. All the straps he has been able to find have a minimum ratchet length of 14 or so inches due to the stitching of the hooks on either end of the system. He has looked all over for straps with a shorter ratchet length to no avail. West Marine told him to take a set to a sail maker and shorten the stitching length for the hook connections, but that would likely be pretty expensive just for a couple straps.

Everyone has always helped me out with all my problems on my Vista, so I thought someone in this group may have run into a similar problem when trailering a boat. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Pac Winn
268 Vista.

_________________
Pac Winn

First Boat:
2000 Vista 268

Does he need to use the transom tie down eyes on the boat? My boat has them, but I don't use them. I use a 2" wide ratchet strap passed through both the boats stern cleats and attached to the tie down eyes on the trailer. I use some soft carpet to protect the gelcoat where the strap would otherwise touch it. It's very secure. Could he do the same?

Graham

How about crossing the tie-downs, in an X?

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Can he mount some trailer mounted, retractable tie downs like these?

http://www.immioutdoors.com/boatbuckle/

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

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

There's the answer!

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Try this link...They work great!
http://www.immioutdoors.com/boatbuckle/g2-transom.htm

Yes! I had them on my H200 trailer....loved them. I even mounted one on the bow stand to use as a back up to the main bow strap.

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

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

Thanks guys! I sent the information on to him. Looks like those straps have a minimum retraction length of 14-inches per the specs. It looks like he may have found a set of straps with a single clamp tightening versus a ratchet. I'll let everyone know if they work out. Thanks again for all you ideas!

Pac Winn
Vista 268

_________________
Pac Winn

First Boat:
2000 Vista 268