Bow safety chain attachment

[bretto]

Should the safety chain be attached fore or aft of the bow eye at the trailer end. In other words is the chain mainly there to prevent the boat from going back or is it there to prevent it from jumping up and over into the towing vehicle. I know the winch strap should be ran under the roller to prevent the latter but what if the winch let loose.

 

[mrmushroomman]

Re: Bow safety chain attachment

I usually clip my safety chain behind the winch hook. The chain is for added assurance. If the winch strap brakes and you do not have a safety chain your boat will become airborne and proably fly off trailer into traffic behind you. I don't really see what it would matter if the chain was behind or infront of the winchhook as long as it is attached. Safety chains are a cheap way to prevent a terrible, possibly even a tragic accident from happening.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Bow safety chain attachment

I put the safety chain straight down from the hook to the trailer.
I figure it is better that the boat might shift a little forward or a little backward versus shifting a whole lot one way and none the other way.
Besides, the bow has to (in most frontend collisions) go over or thru the winch stand. Holding the bow from going up will not allow that to happen.