How can I safely tow this boat?

[BigB9000]

So the local lake is 10 miles down the highway. The trailer has no bow stop on it, and I dont want to pay to have one welded on untill I know this boat isnt going to suck,.

Chains on the bow hook going to all chross beams, along with transom straps?

My launch date is for tuesday morning, there will be stoped traffic the whole way there, unless i take the side streets.

opinions?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

10 miles is not bad.
I would use some good transom tie downs and put a ratchet strap on the bow eye and around the trailer cross member..

 

[Shizzy]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

my opinion?? install a bow stop so you can properly secure the boat to the trailer. i wouldn't leave my driveway with that the way it is.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

I would get a bow stop for the trailer no matter what, and if the boat turned out to suck then you could sell the complete trailer or boat and complete trailer . It would help the sale.

You should be able to get away with straps, but i wouldn't stop quick, and if you start to see the boat bob up and down when on a rough road or hitting a dip or a bump then pull over and check your straps. I've learned from watching the movement of the boat while traveling, and had to stop a few times to tighten the winch mainly on my aluminum boat and trailer. I have a safety chain hooked to my bow eye on my fiberglass bass boat, I can't even think of the type of cleves hook that is on the end of it. I would add a chain on the bow eye.

P.S. I haven't dumped a boat off of a trailer yet.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

chain with turnbuckle to cross member and bow hook. just for the one trip, then the bow stop.

 

[leserz]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

what tashasdaddy said. i have done that my self but i also had transom hold downs also.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

Agree..... just make sure your chains or whatever anchor the bow down more than pulling forward and just take it easy. If you keep her then I would suggest an adjustable bow post with ubolts and steel plates, at least till you find the optimum position and then you could weld it on. What looks good in the garage position wise may not quite work out at the ramps, I always had trouble floating my boat off the trailer until I repositioned the bow post, it makes a huge difference not having to pull tug and fight, now She just floats right on nice and comfortable, three inches either way can make the difference, height is also a biggie, don't let the transom get too far back and off the bunks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

Ayuh,...

As long as the bow is secured to the cross member that's supporting the bunks, the 1 behind the bow,...
Pulling down,+ Aft...
And you're using transom straps, pulling down,+/ or forward,... Not aft..
I don't see a Problem....
But,...
I'd Love to be at the ramp to watch you put the boat Back on the trailer, without a bowpost/ Winch......

 

[mthieme]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

I agree with everyone else.
My hydro trailer has no bow stop since it's not practical (see avatar)...straps all the way.

Bolt on bow stops are available if not preferable.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

But,...
I'd Love to be at the ramp to watch you put the boat Back on the trailer, without a bowpost/ Winch......

That's a good point! . Don't give it to much gas, you'll wind up in the back of your tow vehicle. My brother had a throttle cable snap on him at full throttle while loading, he had a bow stop but the boat pushed away from it just before he got the motor shut down and this caused him allot of trouble to get the boat back on the trailer right. Plus he was watched by all the people at the ramp, they all got a good laugh.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

ALWAYS a strean strap no matter what size boat.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

Well I could float it on there (engine off) pull it up, then use a come-along to pull it up a little, then strap it down, and pull forward slowly.

.....ah ah?

 

[BigB9000]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

could something like this happen:

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

well it could, but you trailer looks to be in much better condition. the main thing you really want to avoid on the one trip, and any quick or emergency stops.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

well it could, but you trailer looks to be in much better condition.

Well at least something going right

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

It figures, I went with my father to look at a 21ft bayliner. He bought the boat with I/O motor for $100. Guess what...... The trailer didn't have a bow stop on it , now where going to half to take it easy towing it home.

Maybe I won't go for the 90 mile round trip tomorrow.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

Out of necessity, I have towed without bow stop, and loaded that way too. Just have 2 straps connected to bow hook. One pulling back, and one forward. Powerloaded without it too. Key is to load shallow, and be conservative on your throttle. Or, load deep, and just pull it on with a bow line, and hook one strap to the eye, and loop it around the tongue to pull out.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

You have received plenty of guidance on the towing issue but I am more concerned about what will happen when you reload the boat and start up the ramp. Better make sure you have a chain between the bow eye and the trailer tongue. A steep ramp and wet bunks have the potential for dumping your boat unless you prepare for it. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[Mark42]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

So the local lake is 10 miles down the highway. The trailer has no bow stop on it, and I dont want to pay to have one welded on untill I know this boat isnt going to suck,.
......

The piece you are missing is called a Winch Post. You don't need to pay someone to weld on a winch post, most are bolt ons using U bolts, like this one:

To complete the setup, a winch mount and bow stop needs to be added. Check out easternmarine.com and do a search on Winch Post. Lots of sizes to fit all setups.

This is a "fully dressed" winch post with winch mount and bow stop:

 

[jakebrake]

Re: How can I safely tow this boat?

big b 9000;
Bolt a post on the trailer. even if the boat "sucks", it's a lot better than the fines, boosting of your insurance rates, costs of accident reports, medical expenses and deductables....not that i've done anything more insane...but that's for another thread.