Trailer Straps - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Performance
  Trailer Straps

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Trailer Straps

1982MONTAUK posted 02-26-2004 12:29 PM ET (US)
Can anyone recommend a good strap system to use for trailering a Montauk? I am concerned with gelcoat protection.
Steve
jimp posted 02-26-2004 03:35 PM ET (US)
Steve -
The only place straps (going over the boat)are going to hurt your gelcoat is where they go over the gunnel. If the strap is tight, it will "saw" into your rubrail and dull your gelcoat. I found this out during a 4500 miles tow.
After that, I screwed two 4" 2x4s together (L-shape), layered the inside of the "L" with carpet, lay them on the gunnels and placed the strap over them. My Whaler Owner's manual recommends something similar. With this set up, the strap doesn't touch your gelcoat or rubrail.
I've never used the straps that attach to the tow eyes on the transom.
JimP
Samars posted 02-26-2004 03:53 PM ET (US)

I have used the eyes on the back of my transom to tie down my Whaler to the trailer. This system works well and keeps everything out of the way when I am using the cover. I did purchase very good quality tie downs.
Samars posted 02-26-2004 03:53 PM ET (US)

I have used the eyes on the back of my transom to tie down my Whaler to the trailer. This system works well and keeps everything out of the way when I am using the cover. I did purchase very good quality tie downs.
HAPPYJIM posted 02-26-2004 04:13 PM ET (US)
The eyes on the transom are easy to use.
I like them for several reasons.
Two straps instead of one. If one strap fails the other will hold.
The straps don't rub on the boat.
The straps don't interfere with the boat cover.
They don't "sing" like a long strap across the stern when traveling at highway speeds.
ryanwhaler posted 02-26-2004 11:29 PM ET (US)
I've been told that the best way is to lock the wintch in place and use two transom straps on the stern.
We towed a Montauk about a 45min drive with no strap othe then the wintch and the boat jumped to the side off the keel roolers, transom straps will be in order for next time.
Chuck Tribolet posted 02-27-2004 12:50 AM ET (US)
I think Ryan's right. I've got probably 40K miles trailering
my Montauk with with the winch strap + safety chain, and two
straps to tow eyes on the transom. Works fine. No contact
with the gel coat. I don't think an over-the-transom strap
is required. Maybe as a backup if I was going to tow in Baja.
But the transom straps are looking a litle ragged after 6+
years. They are 1" straps with an over-center cam lock, but
I'm open to suggestions on replacements.

Chuck
dklonk posted 02-27-2004 02:19 AM ET (US)
If you are going to use a single strap, make sure it is tight. A tight strap will keep the boat from moving at all. Wherever the strap can come in contact with gelcote, put a towel or carpet scrap soft side toward the boat. If you do this you will have absolutely no problems towing any distance.
Dan
Backlash posted 02-27-2004 07:51 AM ET (US)
Steve,
The only experience I have had with the over-the transon straps was with my 15 SS. It not only wore thru the gelcoat, but actually cracked the plastic rub rail section. It was also impossible to get really tight.
IMO the transom straps attached to the transon eyes are far superior for the reasons others have stated. When properly tightened the boat will not move. Go with the 2" wide straps with the SS hooks and over-center cam lock.
Steve
dfmcintyre posted 02-27-2004 09:56 PM ET (US)
Have not had a problem with a flat strap going across the boat, close to the stern. Walt Steffen's tows with the same concept, only uses sponges to hold the strap away from where it would normally contact the hull.
The way to keep the strap from vibrating is to add one 180 degree twist in the strap (on each side of the hull) while attaching it. No more singing.
Best - Don
jimh posted 02-27-2004 10:52 PM ET (US)
Read this article:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/trailering/trailer.html

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Trailer Straps
1982MONTAUK	posted 02-26-2004 12:29 PM ET (US) Can anyone recommend a good strap system to use for trailering a Montauk? I am concerned with gelcoat protection. Steve
jimp	posted 02-26-2004 03:35 PM ET (US) Steve - The only place straps (going over the boat)are going to hurt your gelcoat is where they go over the gunnel. If the strap is tight, it will "saw" into your rubrail and dull your gelcoat. I found this out during a 4500 miles tow. After that, I screwed two 4" 2x4s together (L-shape), layered the inside of the "L" with carpet, lay them on the gunnels and placed the strap over them. My Whaler Owner's manual recommends something similar. With this set up, the strap doesn't touch your gelcoat or rubrail. I've never used the straps that attach to the tow eyes on the transom. JimP
Samars	posted 02-26-2004 03:53 PM ET (US) I have used the eyes on the back of my transom to tie down my Whaler to the trailer. This system works well and keeps everything out of the way when I am using the cover. I did purchase very good quality tie downs.
Samars	posted 02-26-2004 03:53 PM ET (US) I have used the eyes on the back of my transom to tie down my Whaler to the trailer. This system works well and keeps everything out of the way when I am using the cover. I did purchase very good quality tie downs.
HAPPYJIM	posted 02-26-2004 04:13 PM ET (US) The eyes on the transom are easy to use. I like them for several reasons. Two straps instead of one. If one strap fails the other will hold. The straps don't rub on the boat. The straps don't interfere with the boat cover. They don't "sing" like a long strap across the stern when traveling at highway speeds.
ryanwhaler	posted 02-26-2004 11:29 PM ET (US) I've been told that the best way is to lock the wintch in place and use two transom straps on the stern. We towed a Montauk about a 45min drive with no strap othe then the wintch and the boat jumped to the side off the keel roolers, transom straps will be in order for next time.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 02-27-2004 12:50 AM ET (US) I think Ryan's right. I've got probably 40K miles trailering my Montauk with with the winch strap + safety chain, and two straps to tow eyes on the transom. Works fine. No contact with the gel coat. I don't think an over-the-transom strap is required. Maybe as a backup if I was going to tow in Baja. But the transom straps are looking a litle ragged after 6+ years. They are 1" straps with an over-center cam lock, but I'm open to suggestions on replacements. Chuck
dklonk	posted 02-27-2004 02:19 AM ET (US) If you are going to use a single strap, make sure it is tight. A tight strap will keep the boat from moving at all. Wherever the strap can come in contact with gelcote, put a towel or carpet scrap soft side toward the boat. If you do this you will have absolutely no problems towing any distance. Dan
Backlash	posted 02-27-2004 07:51 AM ET (US) Steve, The only experience I have had with the over-the transon straps was with my 15 SS. It not only wore thru the gelcoat, but actually cracked the plastic rub rail section. It was also impossible to get really tight. IMO the transom straps attached to the transon eyes are far superior for the reasons others have stated. When properly tightened the boat will not move. Go with the 2" wide straps with the SS hooks and over-center cam lock. Steve
dfmcintyre	posted 02-27-2004 09:56 PM ET (US) Have not had a problem with a flat strap going across the boat, close to the stern. Walt Steffen's tows with the same concept, only uses sponges to hold the strap away from where it would normally contact the hull. The way to keep the strap from vibrating is to add one 180 degree twist in the strap (on each side of the hull) while attaching it. No more singing. Best - Don
jimh	posted 02-27-2004 10:52 PM ET (US) Read this article: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/trailering/trailer.html