I'm a new Hunter owner. This is my third boat. Does anyone tow an 18.5 without strapping the boat to the trailer? I towed my Macgregor 26C without a strap and never had any problems; but I'm thinking with the wing keel and higher center of gravity on the trailer that might not be the wise thing to do. Just thought I would check with others. It did have a strap on it when I towed it home.
towing an 18.5
- Thread starter dalekidd1956
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I introduced the 18.5 for Hunter. With a wing keel, the center of gravity is much higher. Anyone in their right mind will tell you always to strap down the boat to the trailer to include Macgregors as well as I have seen them move on the trailer in transit without tie down straps. What many do not realize is a sudden jerking motion and the boat can sway off the trailer. Yep, fixed many because of that. The above picture from Jackdaw is a good reminder to also strap down. Than k you Jackdaw.
When straping down with new tie down straps, put a cloth underneath where they go ove rthe boat. In addiiton, twist the tie downs 2 or 3 times to keep them from slapping the boat on the sides as windage is thus avoided when twisted. Also, after 10-15 miles, pull over and recheck those tie downs as any boat will have settled onto the trailer and need tightenign.
crazy dave condon
When straping down with new tie down straps, put a cloth underneath where they go ove rthe boat. In addiiton, twist the tie downs 2 or 3 times to keep them from slapping the boat on the sides as windage is thus avoided when twisted. Also, after 10-15 miles, pull over and recheck those tie downs as any boat will have settled onto the trailer and need tightenign.
crazy dave condon
I have seen many boats come off of their trailers because they were not tied down. Of all the things I do, I also haul boats over the road and the law says you have to have your load secured. It would be stupid to not strap a boat down especially for a longer haul.
Thank you Mr. Barnicle Bill for the verification of tie down. It is often I still see stupid people not tying the boat down propely especially for a long haul.
If the manufacturer straps or ties down anything at the factory, it is still the shipper and in my case as a dealer when I went to pick up my own boats, it was my responsibility. Never lost a boat in all my years but one former employee was another case. He had owned a power boat dealership which failed and picked up a Catalina 309 for me which I had brought many back on my trailer behind a dooley. He failed to check the straps as he allowed the manufacturer put them on and somewhere in South Carolina, he hit the brakes and the boat move forward as the straps had loosened without checking on them. The trailer about broke in two. In additon, he went to fast speeding resulting in a new transmission. All in all, the damages alone were nearly $7,000 and that was his last employment with me.
Tie down that load which Barnicle Bill does too but also stop after 20 miles at most and check those straps/tie downs. If a long trip, pull over at least every 150 - 200 miles for a stretch and again check the tie downs. If you don't, you could kill yourself or others and that I have come up on I-95. I helped pull a body out of the cab of a pickup truck and the boat was all over the place and of course if it had been straped down, the fellow would be alive today. Food for thought.
crazy dave condon
If the manufacturer straps or ties down anything at the factory, it is still the shipper and in my case as a dealer when I went to pick up my own boats, it was my responsibility. Never lost a boat in all my years but one former employee was another case. He had owned a power boat dealership which failed and picked up a Catalina 309 for me which I had brought many back on my trailer behind a dooley. He failed to check the straps as he allowed the manufacturer put them on and somewhere in South Carolina, he hit the brakes and the boat move forward as the straps had loosened without checking on them. The trailer about broke in two. In additon, he went to fast speeding resulting in a new transmission. All in all, the damages alone were nearly $7,000 and that was his last employment with me.
Tie down that load which Barnicle Bill does too but also stop after 20 miles at most and check those straps/tie downs. If a long trip, pull over at least every 150 - 200 miles for a stretch and again check the tie downs. If you don't, you could kill yourself or others and that I have come up on I-95. I helped pull a body out of the cab of a pickup truck and the boat was all over the place and of course if it had been straped down, the fellow would be alive today. Food for thought.
crazy dave condon
I own an 18.5 and I strap the boat to the trailer in two places - fore and aft. Both points are near the designated lift points indicated from the manufacturer. In this case, it eliminates a lot of rocking or pitching on the trailer so that the ride is a lot smoother.
Unless you are just moving the boat around the marina at slow speeds, I think it is insane NOT to strap the boat to the trailer.
fair winds,
Bob
Unless you are just moving the boat around the marina at slow speeds, I think it is insane NOT to strap the boat to the trailer.
fair winds,
Bob
Bob;
bad advice. Always strap the boat to the trailer when moving around the marina. I have repaired a few 18.5 as a result. In addition, never put a front strap over the front of the boat as you actually are stressing the hulll. The marks on the side of the boat are for lifting contact points for straps lifting the boats only.
If the tongue or bow of the boat is secured only by a winch strap to the front of the trailer without safety chain or line, well guys best that you add one. Saved many a boat to include mine over the years and in fact as an added precuation, I always tied down the trailer winch handle as well. With nearly 1.75 million miles of towing, I learned a few things along the way.
crazy dave condon
bad advice. Always strap the boat to the trailer when moving around the marina. I have repaired a few 18.5 as a result. In addition, never put a front strap over the front of the boat as you actually are stressing the hulll. The marks on the side of the boat are for lifting contact points for straps lifting the boats only.
If the tongue or bow of the boat is secured only by a winch strap to the front of the trailer without safety chain or line, well guys best that you add one. Saved many a boat to include mine over the years and in fact as an added precuation, I always tied down the trailer winch handle as well. With nearly 1.75 million miles of towing, I learned a few things along the way.
crazy dave condon
I have been gone working at boy scout camps on their sailboat fleets. Max engine is a 5 hp or 6.
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