Tie-downs / straps for trailerable boats

[PhilMcC]

Anyone know what sort of straps I should use to tie a 22ft cruiser to a trailer? I see some polyester ratchet straps on the internet which look good though only 4m long so not sure that's long enough (not got my boat nearby to measure it).

Would welcome any advice on tie-downs and required length.

thanks
Phil

 

[neale]

I use two, one fore and one aft. I picked up two long chunky jobs that are rated to either 2 or 5 tonnes, I can't remember which. The webbing is about 2" wide. They need to be long enough to hold the boat onto the trailer, so one goes through the bow eye down to the frame, doubled up which is about 4 mtrs and the other goes from two tie down fixings on the transom down to the back of the trailer and doubled up, about 5 mtrs.

Some of the cheap ones are not UV stable, and if left in sunlight weaken to the point of being pulled apart by hand. I wouldn't advise scrimping on such an important bit of kit.

 

[Wiggo]

Depends on your trailer, to some extent, Phil. We used to put a steel cable and padlock through the bow eye and round the winch post as security at the front end in case the winch let go. At the back, we had a single 2" strap that had hooks that went into U bolts on the trailer an dwent over the top of the boat. I've also seen short straps from U bolts on the transom to the ends of the trailer beams.

 

[sarabande]

Ratchet straps come in variable lengths and rated breaking strains. Main providers are agricultural suppliers, and lorry "chandlers". There are a number of end fastenings (triangle, plain and double hooks, locking hook, shackle. Ours (on ye farm) get very covered in oil and left in sunlight, and seem to last forever, but we don't buy cheapies.

Length ? Overestimate by at least a couple of metres; you can always cut them a bit shorter, but knitting on an extra six inches is not a possibility. Beware of over ratcheting, they are very powerful and will buckle tractor bonnets quite easily.

Always worth putting your Post Code on the strap, but not with a toluene marker, which can dissolve stitching. Never tie a knot in the strap and then tension it up; it locks SOLID. Finally, close the ratchet handle up to the strap when you have finished tightening, otherwise the handle sticks out the side of the trailer and catches on wooden fences, etc.

All the above based on GCSE in Varming, Module 38, section B (mistakes I have made)

 

[PhilMcC]

Great ratchet strap knowledge! Thanks.