Strapping boat to trailer

[BrendanS]

I wouldn't put straps over the top at all, unless no eyes or suitable cleats. Too much risk of damage by compression and bouncing. Eyes are far better if present, or if towing regularly, they can be installed relatively easily in many boats.

Cleats or similar points would be second choice.

Third would be straps over the boat, due to compression sideways of hull. If you've ever seen a trailerable boat hoisted without spreaders, you'd know what I mean, the side compression can make the whole hull/superstructure squeeze sideways, causing cracks and leaks, and strapping the whole boat like that will cause similar issues, not only with strap tension, but with the bouncing the boat will do while trailering along roads that aren't flat smooth

 

[michaelh]

I tend to agree. If you have good mounting points at the towing eye and on the transom then all the tension can be taken there and no damage (rub marks are a pain) to the superstructure. Also you can get longitudinal tension stopping for and aft movement.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

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...probably the 1800, which is what I have.... I would love to see some side pictures of the boat on the trailer and know how many notches up the rear roller assemble is mounted. I ask as my trailer set up damages my boat whenever I recover it and that set up you have must be correct.

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Look different trailers to me, single side frames vs double and rollers vs bunks.

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Yes, it is a single side frame.

CarMan, what size SBS trailer is it and is rollers or bunks?

 

[lazyliz]

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This is the set up on my Monterey 250. There is an eye on the bow where a strap goes through it and ties down to each side of the trailer. An extra strap goes from the eye to the front of the trailer and the winch strap also goes through the eye. On the stern are two eyes and the strap goes through both and attaches to each sifde of the trailer. This is all b acked up with the boats lines attached at the bow to the trailer. We have towed her from Swindon to the Med in complete safety.

 

[rogerdog]

It's been mentioned in passing - but do remember that with ratchet straps you can put a huge load on them very easily so DO remember padding to protect the boat (carpet is ideal - I find foam backed works a treat (foam against the strap) as does not seem to slip and not to go too mad with the strap tension - the idea of a twist in the strap looks wrong but does cut down on the flapping sound when towing - in addition -I use a rope on the bow eye to tie her off with simerlar astern (belt and braces I know - but she's my baby !)


One last point - make sure the trailer bearings are freshly greased (and free) and tyres are ok - both so easy to overlokk if it hasent been used recently.

 

[futurama]

Foam pipe lagging would probably be quite practical for padding , as you can open it out to lay the strap inside and then for extra security use duct tape to bind it together.

 

[Lakesailor]

To my eternal regret I missed seeing (because I walked a different way round) a Windermere Class yacht which slid off the back of it's trailer in the middle of Bowness the other year. What a picture that would have been. Caused chaos.

 

[Nautorius]

Hi Car Man,

You need to strap it back to stop it going forward and strap it forward to stop it going backwards. Do not just trust the winch post as that is the weak point! Use the 'eyes' already on board and I would strap it over the top of the cockpit to stop it bouncing but use foam as a cushion.

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[danfoley]

We just set up a new towing guide website, we're looking to populate it furhter so any questions pop them on here and we'll get the experts to answer them

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Do I get a prize Dan, as I tow with a Sorento?

 

[Canopy Locked]

Just a quick tip - If you are using brand new rachet straps - stretch them!! There is always some play in new straps and it's well worth your while hooking them onto something (they need to be pretty much at max length) and ratcheting them up - do this for a few days and you'll find that you can get them to a nice tensions that then stays there. The biggest problem is ratcheting them up too tight ... they can exert a tremendous force.

 

[danfoley]

Of course! We've got a horse we've been trying to get rid of for ages in our broomcupboard, it's all yours /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Apparently you can tow them too, but it seems a bit dangerous to me

 

[michaelh]

A photo of that (or something v similar) was on here recently. I've looked for it but can't find it.

 

[Lakesailor]

Experts. What do you need with experts when you've got the Major?

 

[Lakesailor]

I seem to remember a shot of it was floating about.

However, it's always worth securing the boat well.