Boat Tie Down

[atwhite2]

Hi All...

I had a question about securing your Mac to the trailer, how much is too much and how NOT to damage the boat in the process...

I attach my Mac by the trailer winch and then by a tension strap around the pulpit and down to the winch. I also have a strap that I run over the cockpit and under the trailer to secure the back from bouncing along. I have no fears of the boat coming off the trailer, but the strap are rubbing through the side rubrails on the boat. There has to be a better way to secure the Mac to the trailer so that the boat does not get damaged in the process.

What do you consider the appropriate amount of securing and how to trailer more than just back and forth a few miles to the lake? (My latest trip was 1500 miles round trip to the north shore of Lake Huron) What is the bast way to confidently secure it to the trailer?

Thanks, as always, for the great advice.

-Abe

 

[justsomeguy]

I think you're doin' fine with your current set-up.
At the rear, I put carpet scraps between the gunwhale and tie down strap. They're long enough to cover my rubrail. Still get some hull marks from the strap, though.
Likewise on the pulpit keeper, but I don't put too much tension there.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

Hi All...

I had a question about securing your Mac to the trailer, how much is too much and how NOT to damage the boat in the process...

I attach my Mac by the trailer winch and then by a tension strap around the pulpit and down to the winch. I also have a strap that I run over the cockpit and under the trailer to secure the back from bouncing along. I have no fears of the boat coming off the trailer, but the strap are rubbing through the side rubrails on the boat. There has to be a better way to secure the Mac to the trailer so that the boat does not get damaged in the process.

What do you consider the appropriate amount of securing and how to trailer more than just back and forth a few miles to the lake? (My latest trip was 1500 miles round trip to the north shore of Lake Huron) What is the bast way to confidently secure it to the trailer?

Thanks, as always, for the great advice.

-Abe

you have it nicely secured, the only problem is the rub on the rubrail?

fenders?

 

[finding41]

When I got my boat I had a buddy pick it up for me and bring it from Ohio to Ontario. About 700km. I told him to check the boat on the trailer every time he got gas.
When he left the boat was hooked at the front and wrapped around like above. When he got to my place NOTHING was attached! The strap that wrapped around the cockpit was dragging and swinging so much it knocked off the tail light off the passenger side!
The only thing holding the boat on the trailer was gravity!
I'm guessing that it came loose after he got gas in Michigan. Or it came off when he pulled out of the PO's driveway and he didn't check. The latter wouldn't surprise me.
Well it made it. In pieces, but not so bad. Whats a trailer light kit and a new 3" 30' ratchet strap anyway. Only time and $.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

^priceless -good to be lucky

I only have a rope around the bow and trailer. I think it helps the most to keep it from bouncing.

on a longer trip I might use a strap aft of the cockpit -wouldn't hurt.

but I always have a safety chain on the bow eye.

check the ball catch/latch too...

GL!

 

[oreana123]

When I bought my boat, the PO used a strap around the boat. There was visible gelcoat scratching so I took it off. Almost ten years of long drives in all kinds of weather with no problems. If I felt the need to drive in extreme winds, I'd partially fill the ballast tank. No straps for me....