I loosen the tie downs because they tend to make flat spots on the rub rails vinyl insert. During the summer, the flat spots pop back out in the sun, but I figgure that it just isn't good to have it compressed all winter. Plus, the boat isn't going anywhere....<br /><br />Mark
Originally posted by simple:<br /> A friend told me that when storing my bayliner for the winter I should loosen the straps to reduce stress on the hull. Is he right?
I have heard people say this, but I think it is an old wives tale. With a 3000 lb boat do you really think you are forcing the hull into the bunks more than the weight of the hull is? If so, loosen them up.
Better still - take them off and tie them to the trailer hitch. Then you'll have to move them before hitching up the boat next season, and - hopefully - you'll put them back in the right place!<br /><br />Ciao
I saw another post, which recommeded to loosen or remove the bow strap as well. That makes sense to me, as a tightly stretched wet strap would deteriorate over time. This is assuming the boat will not roll off the trailer without it secured. I woudl leave the back-up safety chain attached to the bow eye just in case.
I suspect this could be a different story if you have rollers, but I have bunks and there is no way my boat is going anywhere with or without straps. Might as well take the strain off them.
I loosen the straps when the boat is laid up, I'm not worried about stressing the hull, I you can stress or break the hull with straps, do you really want to hit a 3 foot wave in the thing, I loosen to take the stress of the straps.
