Strapping boat to trailer.

[HyperFox]

Hey all.. The noob has another question.

So Ive finally got a hitch on the van and the wiring all sorted out and squared away, so I decided to take the boat out for its maiden land based voyage.

As I left the driveway I heard a thumpthump noise and I noticed it was my 14' aluminim boat bouncing on the trailer. I got out to inspect and noticed I have no straps on the back of the boat.

So I am thinking of using ratchet straps on the back that will be attached to these handle things on the back of my boat. There is one on either side, wide enough to put your hand into. Then your strap connects to an eye hook on each bunk. Will this be strong enough to handle the boats bouncing?

Or should I run one big ratchet strap all the way around the middle of the boat and sinch it down there?

And Ive noticed my outboard bounces a bit. How do I stop it?

Thanks!

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Strapping boat to trailer.

The best setup is to have three straps: One on the bow to the bow eye and two on the transom. I would think the handles would work fine, and the eyes on the bunks are correct. Can't help with the outboard...

 

[rndn]

Re: Strapping boat to trailer.

Transom savers are a bracket that attaches your outboard to your trailer and totally stops the bouncing your are talking about. They are available here on inboats.
http://www.iboats.com/Marine_Store/...er--search_type.keyword--**********.121645042

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Strapping boat to trailer.

This is what happens when you don't use transom tie-down straps. Going around a corner or curve too fast can also dump the boat off the trailer. Note that in the example below, a side-to-side strap would have done nothing to prevent the event. The boat would simply slide under the strap.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Strapping boat to trailer.

Hey all.. The noob has another question.

So Ive finally got a hitch on the van and the wiring all sorted out and squared away, so I decided to take the boat out for its maiden land based voyage.

As I left the driveway I heard a thumpthump noise and I noticed it was my 14' aluminim boat bouncing on the trailer. I got out to inspect and noticed I have no straps on the back of the boat.

So I am thinking of using ratchet straps on the back that will be attached to these handle things on the back of my boat. There is one on either side, wide enough to put your hand into. Then your strap connects to an eye hook on each bunk. Will this be strong enough to handle the boats bouncing?

Or should I run one big ratchet strap all the way around the middle of the boat and sinch it down there?

And Ive noticed my outboard bounces a bit. How do I stop it?

Thanks!

First I always for 35 years ran one strap from one side to the other side on Aluminum boats both 12 and 14 ft. Toward the back not the middle. A wide ratchet strap also NOT A ONE INCH STRAP . Now that I have the bigger and heavier boat. I use two marine transom straps. So either way for you will work. I think the two strap system would be safer. I would not fasten the strap to the trailer bunks however. They should be fastened to the Trailer Frame. Drill holes and put an eye bolt on each side if there are no other suitable holes.The outboard motor probably won't bounce once you secure the boat. If it does there are Motor transom supports for that too at Cabella's, Bass Pro and any marina or marine supply store. You didn't indicate what size of motor you have.

 

[jennis9]

Re: Strapping boat to trailer.

we too, use the WIDE ratchet straps for the back - you may want to see if the metal would scratch your boat surface. wrapping it with a piece of carpet does a nice job to prevent this.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Strapping boat to trailer.

And Ive noticed my outboard bounces a bit. How do I stop it?

Thanks!

They pretty well covered the transom strap issue. One from each of the handles should do you good, but with my last jon, I used a 1 inch one over the gunwales. Wouldn't hesitate to use that method again.

For your motor, do you drive with it tilted up, or in the running position? If tilted up, you definitely will need to use a transom saver, and the strap that goes with it. If in the running position, turn it to one side or the other, and run one of those black bungees around it, to the trailer frame. If you don't turn it, it will turn itself within the next 2 bumps.