Bow Tie Down Feedback

[vwbugman69]

Looking for feedback on my setup for a bow tie down. Ideally I would have like to make it vertical, but I was simply using what was already there and it will keep the boat from going through the winch post in the event of a sudden stop.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

Actually the more it is angled backwards the better to stop the forward motion.
The geometry is a Tangent Function so straight down would gives the boat Infinite mechanical advantage over the Tie Down.
It looks good to me!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

I think you rigged one of the better ones, VW. Nice job!

 

[JB]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

What GA Boater said. Excellent.

 

[vwbugman69]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

Thank you for the feedback. At least I can cross one more item off my list of things to do!

 

[saumon]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

Hey, I've done the exact same thing last week to replace the flimsy winch post safety chain!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

Two excellent safety tie downs. I have to look at my trailer again because I didn't think I could do it like that but now I have an idea.

 

[saumon]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

On mine, the triangular portion was only 11" away from the bow eye and I haven't been able to find a sturdy turnbuckle shorter than 12", so I couldn't put an eyebolt there. What I did was making a "crossmember" out of 1.5" galvanized channel held to the frame by U-bolts, on which I put the eyebolt/shackle.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

Looks great to me, but someone will tell you that you need to use 15,000# hardware.


The problem I've had with mine, is that the turnbuckle will loosen while going down the road.
Easily fixed by wiring it in place to prevent premature turning.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

Looks great to me, but someone will tell you that you need to use 15,000# hardware.


The problem I've had with mine, is that the turnbuckle will loosen while going down the road.
Easily fixed by wiring it in place to prevent premature turning.

I had the same problem. I solved it by using a wingnut on the RH threaded end. I couldn't find a LH wingnut or I would have added a belt & suspender back-up.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

Looks great to me, but someone will tell you that you need to use 15,000# hardware.

You need to use 15,000# hardware. What you have is grossly inadequate.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

See, I told ya.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

I had one on my boat... maybe a bit lighter than those, but not much... and it broke on my first trip. Hit a big bump in a construction zone and the thing snapped in half. I've gone to heavy chain and some shackles.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Bow Tie Down Feedback

Those look good.

I actually run 3 points on my bow eye. The winch strap, a second strap pulling down and a little back and a chain with shackles as the last resort.

I hope that none of us ever have to test our setups.