Do you strap your boat down when trailering?

Nancy and Bud

We've towed sailboats tens of thousands of miles. Always strapped them down to the trailer.

Notice that a lot of power boats do not have straps on them.

What say you?

Pros/Cons

rogerbum

ssobol · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 10:54 am Post subject:

What do you mean by not strapped down?

Mine is strapped to the trailer using straps to the stern eyes. Also strapped at the bow eye, plus the winch strap and safety chain. The forward strap is mostly to prevent the bow from bouncing up and down.

Marco Flamingo · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:00 am Post subject:

I also strap mine down from the side cleats to the trailer. Not too difficult to find tie down attachment points on the trailer aft of the cleats. I attach aft of the cleats because I am concerned about the boat ending up in my back seat in an accident. After thousands of miles, there is some chafing. Time to spend another $20 to make sure that my boat doesn't become a projectile on the freeway.

Mark

Nancy and Bud · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:00 am Post subject:

What I mean were crosswise straps from side to side.

Of course it is strapped to the winch stand.

JMacLeod · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:16 am Post subject:

Not sure about your state, but it's a requirement in Florida.

srbaum · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:25 am Post subject:

Meade's,
When I see a boat (i've seen both power and sail), that are not strapped to their trailer, I always am reminded of those that sleep during physics class.
Of course watching boats launch at the ramp, without removing their straps aft, can be a fun way to pass the time, specially if alcohol is involved...

Nancy and Bud · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:29 am Post subject:

Thanks for the replies. Exactly what I expected.

localboy · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:44 am Post subject:

Yes. One on each side at the stern eyes. Nylon torque straps covered in padding. I also use a SS turn-buckle and chain to secure the bow eye to the trailer tongue, so the bow does not "bounce".

Standas · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 1:25 pm Post subject:

I definitely have always strapped my boats down but my new to me CD 22 is the first boat to not have eyes on the transom the previous owner just secured the strap to the stern cleat. Have any of you had the same setup and how did you strap your boat down on the stern?

localboy · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 2:21 pm Post subject:

How about one long strap over the entire cockpit/gunwales with padding? Just an idea.

I use these to protect the gel-coat.

http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/fleece-sleeve-protector-2-inch/Accessories

PaulNBriannaLynn · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 3:05 pm Post subject:

South of Heaven · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 3:32 pm Post subject:

Yes. Strap it down. Lol

Micahbigsur@msn.com · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 4:53 pm Post subject:

I actually had to use 4 wheel drive low range over a rocky ridge into Papa Fernandez's fish camp. I wonder what would've happened if my boat wasn't strapped down? On the mile or so of storm repair bypasses that had a lot of washboard it moved around with tight straps!

kennharriet · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 4:55 pm Post subject:

Yes strap it down. I believe it is illegal to move any unsecured load of any kind in all states. It is definitely illegal in British Colombia. I got stopped by an RCMP on Vancouver Is last year. Significant fine although the Mounty was kind enough to give me a warning, but not move it until strapped down.