Do you folks strap your boats to your trailers?
- Thread starter Chuck_FLA
- Start date
I'm going to say YES, NO and NO.
Always strapped this one down which you can barely see in this picture. Boat was so light I could move it on the trailer by myself.
I never strapped this one down and I always towed it like I didn't have brakes on the tow vehicle.
This one I have not yet towed so it hasn't been strapped down, YET.
Your state may not require straps but I would put them on anyway,
Always strapped this one down which you can barely see in this picture. Boat was so light I could move it on the trailer by myself.
I never strapped this one down and I always towed it like I didn't have brakes on the tow vehicle.
This one I have not yet towed so it hasn't been strapped down, YET.
Your state may not require straps but I would put them on anyway,
@Chuck_FLA
The venture 21 is either a swing keel or a dagger board. Please advise which one. In addition, please advise whether or not if you have a bow eye or not? One two inch strap is needed to secure the cockpit to the trailer only. Do you have a locking winch with strap and a safety chain? Pictures of bow eye, trailer winch stand and rudder (if left on boat during transport) would help. Then I would tell you how I would transport a venture 21
Former sailboat dealer
The venture 21 is either a swing keel or a dagger board. Please advise which one. In addition, please advise whether or not if you have a bow eye or not? One two inch strap is needed to secure the cockpit to the trailer only. Do you have a locking winch with strap and a safety chain? Pictures of bow eye, trailer winch stand and rudder (if left on boat during transport) would help. Then I would tell you how I would transport a venture 21
Former sailboat dealer
Yes, it has a bow eye and of course I use that to winch to the up forward on the trailer. I don't use any additional straps to move it from my home, 3 miles to my ramp to put in, but I will for trips further than that or on questionable roads.
Suggest one strap over the cockpit. If new, I would recommend cushioning it going over the edges. Never put a strap over the foredeck; otherwise, the hull would be drawn down at the end of the bunk boards. Put a couple of twists in the strap to prevent any slapping.against the hull.
After going 10-20 miles, pull over and check the following:
1. Check the winch strap for any loosening
2, Ensure the safety chain is secure and not slapping the bow
3. Tie winch handle to winch stand should handle come
loose
4; check tightness of strap
5. Check tire hubs for excessive heat
6, Check lines securing mast to boat
7 Is rudder secured
8. Is motor secured
Every hundred miles, suggest rechecking above
After going 10-20 miles, pull over and check the following:
1. Check the winch strap for any loosening
2, Ensure the safety chain is secure and not slapping the bow
3. Tie winch handle to winch stand should handle come
loose
4; check tightness of strap
5. Check tire hubs for excessive heat
6, Check lines securing mast to boat
7 Is rudder secured
8. Is motor secured
Every hundred miles, suggest rechecking above
Dave
I would suggest one change to your excellent guide. Don't leave the motor mounted on the typical bracket while trailering any distance. The weight of the motor suspended on the transom with the bracket is going to wreak havoc as the trailer bounces on roads. The trailers don't have shock absorption, just leaf springs in most cases and torsion axles in the others. Securing the motor in the cabin or cockpit is OK, giving it a smoother ride in the back of the tow vehicle is even better.
I can second the securing the mast to the boat. Twice I have had my mast bounce completely out of the mast slot in the rear support on New Jersey and New York roads. I actually have to tie the mast into both supports to prevent this from ever happening again. And this is for a 40lb 25ft mast.
Fred W
Stuart Mariner 19 #4133 Sweet P
@pgandw
Normally I would have added more than IS MOTOR SECURED but I felt that was not being asked but for you I will.
It is best for a long trip that the motor be removed due to rough roads, added weight of engine particularly 4 stroke engines, weak outboard motor brackets, etc which would require emptying gas from internal gas tank of engine if possible or at least shutting off fuel line and let the carburetor run out of gas. If external gas tank, disconnect fuel line and let the carburetor run out fuel.
In some cases, the outboard motor bracket may be solid to leave the motor on the outboard motor bracket but you need to keep it from bouncing up and down by tying the motor in an up position to something on top of the transom but the responsibility rests with the owner.
As for strapping down a sailboat to a trailer, as a dealer I use to strap down the trailer no matter how far it moved
In rare cases to ensure stability of the boat on the trailer, store the motor in the v berth. However, that needs to be corrected quickly to include a10% safety factor on the trailer tongue
Normally I would have added more than IS MOTOR SECURED but I felt that was not being asked but for you I will.
It is best for a long trip that the motor be removed due to rough roads, added weight of engine particularly 4 stroke engines, weak outboard motor brackets, etc which would require emptying gas from internal gas tank of engine if possible or at least shutting off fuel line and let the carburetor run out of gas. If external gas tank, disconnect fuel line and let the carburetor run out fuel.
In some cases, the outboard motor bracket may be solid to leave the motor on the outboard motor bracket but you need to keep it from bouncing up and down by tying the motor in an up position to something on top of the transom but the responsibility rests with the owner.
As for strapping down a sailboat to a trailer, as a dealer I use to strap down the trailer no matter how far it moved
In rare cases to ensure stability of the boat on the trailer, store the motor in the v berth. However, that needs to be corrected quickly to include a10% safety factor on the trailer tongue
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@SteveHughessails
Thank you for advising no more strap across the foredeck particularly since your boat is a water ballast. I had to repair some Hunter water ballast lids as a result of ratcheting down way too much. Merry Christmas and Happy new year
Thank you for advising no more strap across the foredeck particularly since your boat is a water ballast. I had to repair some Hunter water ballast lids as a result of ratcheting down way too much. Merry Christmas and Happy new year
I have strap eyes on the stern of my Chrysler C22. I cross left to right between the trailer and boat so the straps form an X. I have bought the boat in Kansas, near Kansas City and towed it to South Central MO (about 250 mi) no issues.
I also took a set of tires with me that I knew to be good
I also took a set of tires with me that I knew to be good
Do you ever see a truck with cargo that is not strapped or chained down? It is sort of ... illegal not to and points on your license if it is spotted.
Yes, many boaters do not strap boats down. A good many make the news. I think most of us have seen one of these, most of us several or many.
It is ASTONISHING how easily our C22 will shift from side to side on the trailer if she is not strapped down. Under any normal circumstances, the keel comes into contact with the guides and the movement is stopped. But in any sort of accident, she's gonna come off the trailer. I have no doubt whatsoever.
A transom strap is an absolute must.
A transom strap is an absolute must.