tie down help

[steve hoy]

Have a couple questions,this being my first glass boat i'm still learning.A friend told me not to keep the rear tie down straps and the winch strap too tight,says will eventually break off the hooks on the boat, but I also dont want them loose so the boat bounces on the trailer. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Bruce Freeman]

First I ever heard of it. I tie mine down tight.



BF

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Ditto what Bruce says. I don't crank them skin tight but they are snug and if in doubt (between gears) I leave them on the loose side. If you have ever had one grab way too tight, they are a bear to get off.



TOXIC

 

[Tim Koepp]

the jerking from any slack or slap in the tiedowns would put more severe stress on the hooks than simply tightly secured.

 

[TrepMan]

Strap it down tight/snug!

 

[Dan J.]

Transom/bow tiedowns - Tight while towing, slack when idle between use.



FWIW - Many boaters (glass and aluminum) have created a horrible condition with their boats by leaving their rigs winched too tight on the trailer for long periods of inactivity. (Many times out in the sun and the elements.) The bow eye can stress and crack creating a cosmetic ugly spot, but most importantly, many bass boats in particular hang over the ends of their bunks and tiedowns too tight there for long periods can be a death sentence for the hull and possibly the occupant(s). You should adjust your trailer to where the transom AT LEAST is supported by the bunks. Prolonged storage with buckles snatched tight can pull the tramsom end down just a hair, which is more than enough to put a terminal hook or bow in the hull. That alone will throw logical handling, performance and ride out the window or worse. I've seen it too many times.

 

[TritonGlenn]

Dan J brings up a very important point regarding trailers not being adjusted for the boats that are on them. I have ensured that every boat I have is fully supported by the bunks, and that the rear end does not hang over the bunks at all. I have seen so many boats, of all different price points, mis-adjusted on the trailer.



My rigs all sit on the bunks with about 3 inches of bunk still extending past the hull - fully supporting it.



Next time you park your tow vehicle and start walking back to the ramp to go boating, take a quick glance at the boat trailer bunks on other trailers towards the rear. Most of the time, a properly set up trailer will have marks in the back where you can see where the hull ends on the bunks. Some have no marks... Uh-oh.... :lol:



All the best,

Glenn