Tie downs for Dinghy

Blueone

Well-Known Member
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Jan 24, 2007
13,691
Lake Erie, Ohio
Boat Info
2004 420 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins 6CTA 450's
I have lost patience with the ratchet type. I saw on here some time ago a rod or cable type. I did a search on here (which sucks by the way) and the internet and didn’t find anything. Does anyone know what I am talking about ?
 
You can make your own locking turnbuckles, or you can purchase them from someone like UMT Marine.

-Tom
 
I have a fixed length cable for the bow eye then only, then only the two straps in the stern. Made life much easier. with a strap in the front was next to impossible to get it right and do quickly.
 
I got mine from the company I got my dinghy from. After the dinghy was mounted in the chocks, the put together the cables. Has the same turnbuckle pictured in the post above.
 
I asked UMT for a price on their locking turnbuckle …. Then will make up my own cables
I am surprised there are not more types of these on the market….. there was something on defender but I didn’t understand it looking at the pics and I’m an engineer
 
I have a fixed length cable for the bow eye then only, then only the two straps in the stern. Made life much easier. with a strap in the front was next to impossible to get it right and do quickly.
So the back straps pull the dinghy back and tighten the bow fixed cable?….. if so is that tight enough?
 
So the back straps pull the dinghy back and tighten the bow fixed cable?….. if so is that tight enough?

The front cable is fixed length and clips on to the bow eye. Then push the dinghy back and then put on the rear straps and tighten them only. The bow cable is fixed length at like 18" or so, no tightening. Takes minutes this way and is very easy to do. When I had to tighten the bow and then the stern then loosen the bow ... it was a mess. This fixed all of that.
 
The front cable is fixed length and clips on to the bow eye. Then push the dinghy back and then put on the rear straps and tighten them only. The bow cable is fixed length at like 18" or so, no tightening. Takes minutes this way and is very easy to do. When I had to tighten the bow and then the stern then loosen the bow ... it was a mess. This fixed all of that.
I like this…. With my new hard bottom I have the bow eye….. before I didn’t and had two d rings on either side of the bow….the other thing is the bow will always be in the same place so the umt turnbuckle won’t have to be adjusted….. okay I’m in
 
I like this…. With my new hard bottom I have the bow eye….. before I didn’t and had two d rings on either side of the bow….. okay I’m in

Measure the length you need and west marine can make up the cable. I made one my self with clips at both ends. For me, the total length was like 18-20 inches. Yours will be different I am sure, but just wanted to give you an approximation.
 
I like this…. With my new hard bottom I have the bow eye….. before I didn’t and had two d rings on either side of the bow….the other thing is the bow will always be in the same place so the umt turnbuckle won’t have to be adjusted….. okay I’m in

Here's a source for the snap shackles if you make your own sailrite. They have a couple sizes.

-Tom
 
Okay ….. bought their last 6

i also found a source for the C.S. Johnson Marine Handy Lock Turnbuckle. The last time I made them I spent a little time at my ACE Hardware back in the stainless cable area to make up the cables, and then finished them off with shrink tube. (let me know if you need any pics, and I can stop by the boat.)
 
i also found a source for the C.S. Johnson Marine Handy Lock Turnbuckle. The last time I made them I spent a little time at my ACE Hardware back in the stainless cable area to make up the cables, and then finished them off with shrink tube. (let me know if you need any pics, and I can stop by the boat.)
Ouch !!….. I remember buying high end bicycles back in the day cheaper then that….. damn I’m getting old
 
I got mine from the company I got my dinghy from. After the dinghy was mounted in the chocks, the put together the cables. Has the same turnbuckle pictured in the post above.
Looking at this closer this morning....this is just a regular turnbuckle with a cover to keep the bolt heads from turning?....doesn't it take a bit of time to unscrew it to release the hook...at the same time isn't the cable trying to twist?
 
It seems to work ok, never had a problem with the cable trying to twist.

It does probably take longer than a strap. Captain that manages a boat next to me maintains that he prefers the ratchet strap because the specific brand of boat he is managing (not disclosing the brand) has a tendency for the swim platform to break loose from the transom in rough water (this is a scary thought). He prefers being able to cut the ratchet straps with a knife if in an emergency situation.

I have the turnbuckle on all three tie downs, I think it provides more flexibility with place of the tender on the chocks. I had the same type tie downs on my previous boat as well.
 

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