Boat Tie-downs on Trailer

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
itsmemagic
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2022 6:03 pm

Boat Tie-downs on Trailer

Postby itsmemagic » Tue May 24, 2022 10:35 pm

Is the arrangement of boat tie-downs see in several photographs below done properly?

[A photo showed a strap with an S-hook wrapped around a trailer cross member. The strap goes out of frame horizontally toward the stern of the boat. The ratchet adjustment is under the boat.]

[Another photo showed a strap with an S-hook wrapped around a trailer cross member. The strap goes out of frame vertically on a slight angle.]

[Another photo showed a strap with an S-hook wrapped around a trailer cross member. The strap goes out of frame horizontally toward the stern of the boat. The ratched adjustment is under the boat.]

itsmemagic
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2022 6:03 pm

Re: Boat tie-downs on Trailer

Postby itsmemagic » Tue May 24, 2022 10:36 pm

More photographs of how I use boat tie downs on my trailer.

PXL_20220525_012527648 (1) (1) (1).jpg
Fig. 1. On one side of the engine at the transom, two straps are shown. One strap exits the frame vertically and goes somewhere unknown. A second strap has an S-hook and is attached to a towing eye.
PXL_20220525_012527648 (1) (1) (1).jpg (78.57 KiB) Viewed 688 times


[Another photo showed a close up of the trailer left rear lamp, license plate holder, and fender.]

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Phil T
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Re: Where to attach tiedowns on the trailer

Postby Phil T » Wed May 25, 2022 11:34 am

From the photos posted, it appears your trailer is too short.

On a C channel or boxed tube trailer, the transom should be within one foot of the end of the frame and the rear cross member.

Post one photo showing the transom of the boat and the end of the trailer frame.
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jimh
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Re: Boat Tie-downs on Trailer

Postby jimh » Wed May 25, 2022 1:48 pm

Typically the end of the trailer frame is aligned with the transom of the boat. Tie-down straps connect to the transom at the towing eyes, and connect to the trailer at similar eyes provided in the structure of the trailer.

The method your are using is not the normal method for installing boat tie-down straps to hold the trailer to the boat.

If the boat overhangs the end of the trailer frame, use a single hold down strap that runs across the aft part of the boat. The strap should have hooks at each end. The hooks connect to eyes provided in the trailer structure. The tightening mechanism should be positioned for easy adjustment and will be typically located a two feet or so from one hook at one end of the strap.

To prevent the straps from vibrating during towing, insert a 180-degree twist in the vertical segment. Read this article and see the illustrations therein:

Trailer Rigging For Boston Whaler Boats
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/refer ... ailer.html

In particular, read the section under the head TIE DOWNS.