MonacoMike
Well-Known Member
- Sep 15, 2009
- 14,721
- Boat Info
- 2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
- Engines
- 85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
The previous owner only had straps (2 front & 2 rear). The boat was off from the bow stopper about 1 foot or so. But when I tow, I don't like the feeling of the boat bouncing up & down. That's why I moved the tongue back as much as I can, then moved the boat up about 6". Now bow is resting on stopper. 4 straps are still in place.
Hai Nhi, your boat position in your signature is totally incorrect at the minimum and downright dangerous to all concerned. If the boat will not fit the trailer, which I think it can, needs to be setup by someone who is a pro at this. Your boat must always be snug to the bow stop. Your strap setup is also not done to maximize safety and minimize damage and danger to the vessel. I have taken your picture and marked the best locations to place your straps. At the bow your bow eye should be snug to the bow stop and safety chain engaged. (Be sure you have a heavy rated winch strap, many are 2000 lbs.) Then a 10,000 lbs. ratchet strap running down from the bow eye to a frame rail will provide excellent pull down and back in heavy braking situations, holding the bow on the trailer. In your picture, it appears you are trying to hold down the bow with your cleats, they may not be built for road forces and all the extra strap out adds to the strap stretch and may allow the boat to move on the trailer. and finally you are more likely to damage the gelcoat, cleats, and rub rails with your method.
At the rear you appear have the straps positioned to keep the boat from sliding off the back. I put a loop of high grade chain and fastener around the rear most frame rail and run one 10,000 lbs. strap on each side. I put a small towel between any point the strap and gelcoat meet, but all points are below the in the water visual level. This setup has the benefit of actually holding the stern down on the rear of the trailer.
For any trailer tie down one is setting up four questions must be answered, sadly, most folks just stick a strap here, there, and say "yep, that ought to do it".
What is keeping the trailer from sliding off the back?
The winch strap and safety chain.
What is keeping the boat from jumping on the truck in a panic braking situation?
The eye strap pulling back and down, while the winch strap keeps it locked to the bow stop, and the safety chain.
What is holding the stern down and keeping the rear from swinging around hitting the truck during a panic braking situation?
Two 10,000 lbs. straps down to the frame.
MM