Trailer Trouble - For Real Life Boaters

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[llamalord]

As a few of you know I've recently started trailering boats.

I'm looking on the internet at all the types of straps you are supposed to have on your boat when on the road.

* indicates I use one or more.

• Winch Strap* [1]
• Transom Strap* [2-4]
• Gunwale Strap [1-...]
• Bow Strap* [1]
• Tongue Strap [1-2]
• Safety Chain* [1]

If you look at the pictures below of my boat you can see that the "eye hook" at the bow of the boat that you hook the: Safety Chain, Winch Strap, Bow Strap, AND the Tongue Strap through.

This seems a little bit ridiculous to me because I can only fit 2 of those in the hook.  I hooked the bow strap hook into the S hook of the safety chain and that seems to work.

I would like to know what some of you more experienced boaters do.

Thanks for the help,
  The Lord of The Llamas

[Capt. Le Velle]

you really dont need the Gunwale strap. on my boat all i have to hold it down the the which that you pull the boat up with and the weight of the boat.  and you need the safety chain.  the safety chain should hook up to the trailer and to your truck

[Agent|Austin]

As a few of you know I've recently started trailering boats.

I'm looking on the internet at all the types of straps you are supposed to have on your boat when on the road.

* indicates I use one or more.

• Winch Strap* [1]
• Transom Strap* [2-4]
• Gunwale Strap [1-...]
• Bow Strap* [1]
• Tongue Strap [1-2]
• Safety Chain* [1]

If you look at the pictures below of my boat you can see that the "eye hook" at the bow of the boat that you hook the: Safety Chain, Winch Strap, Bow Strap, AND the Tongue Strap through.

This seems a little bit ridiculous to me because I can only fit 2 of those in the hook.  I hooked the bow strap hook into the S hook of the safety chain and that seems to work.

I would like to know what some of you more experienced boaters do.

Thanks for the help,
  The Lord of The Llamas

Really? DOT laws here say that anything over 10,000 pounds should have 6 straps, it doesn't say witch type, but they must all be rated to 1/2 of the weight of what you are hauling.

I usually just see 5 straps on a boat, two on the stern, two on the bow, and the winch at the bow.

[Capt. Le Velle]

down in mississippi sometimes you dont see a single strap on the boat holding it im talking about 41 foot boats and the DOT laws are that but i guess the police down here are breaking the law cuz they dont do it

[llamalord]

you really dont need the Gunwale strap. on my boat all i have to hold it down the the which that you pull the boat up with and the weight of the boat.  and you need the safety chain.  the safety chain should hook up to the trailer and to your truck

I frankly don't think I need the Gunwale strap either.   When loaded my boat is only about 3,000 pounds so.

Also I know all about the chain on the trailer/truck (I have a few questions about that too for later.) I was talking about the chain that goes from the winch table to the eye hook. as seen in my pictures.

[Capt. Le Velle]

i dont think you need the other chain as long as you have a nylon strap to the bow eye it should be good,  also what are the questions about the trailer truck chain

[llamalord]

And if that snaps.

[Capt. Le Velle]

do you keep the winch hooked onto the boat while you are towing cuz if it is a braided metal rope think then you need the strap but if not if it is a nylon winch you can just use that

[Capt. Le Velle]

thats why you keep you winch tight while your towing

[llamalord]

Some times I'm afraid it's too tight.

I have a nylon winch and I was told when we bought the boat to ALWAYS keep the safety chain on when trailering.

[Capt. Le Velle]

dont be afraid that its too tight when you thinks its tight go a little more its nylon its hard to break

[llamalord]

Ya know guys I'm sorry to lift this topic back up again but you still haven't really answered my question.

[Capt. Le Velle]

have you tryed asking a marine dealer

[llamalord]

Ya I have thought about it but I haven't been any where boat related in the past two weeks because we have had Non-Stop Severe Thunderstorms in Massachusetts.

[Capt. Le Velle]

when you get the chance they can tell you how to fix your problem

[Ship Sim]

How dig is said boat.

[llamalord]

This boat is 18 feet long not including the drive.  It's a Larson SEi-180 sport.