Transom Tie Downs

[BKinSoCal]

RE: Re: RE: Transom Tie Downs

I use them on long trips but not for daily use. With my first CC, a 2004 216, I used to see how much it would shift from the beginning of a trip to when I got to my destination and it made me very nervous. I now have a 2005 210 and I tie it down every time I go across the desert, which is 2-3 times per year when I bring it home or go on a road trip with it.

[ClemsonDave]

RE: Re: RE: Transom Tie Downs

Several years ago, I let a friend borrow my trailer to take his 196 to West Palm. When I got it back it had a huge dent on one of the fenders from his boat bouncing up and landing on it. Lesson learned. I have since used a ski rope tied twice from trailer to the swim platform. After reading this thread, I'm going to take Airtool's advice and get a gunwale strap.

[todda]

RE: Re: RE: Transom Tie Downs

I had a Ski Brendella before my SNOB, and one day towing away from the launch (without transom ties), went up a hill and felt a distinct "pop". After arriving at my buddies house, I realized my bow winch strap broke, and the boat slid down my bunks probably 12 inches. That was enough to convince me that would use transom straps just for added insurance. I think if I ever used that product (what is it, liquid roller spray) I most definitely would be using some tie down device.

Anyone ever surprised that there is usually no safety bow cable?

[TRBenj]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Transom Tie Downs

Anyone ever surprised that there is usually no safety bow cable?

Correct Craft (now Ram-Lin) trailers have galvanized turnbuckles in addition to the winch at the front.

[AuMDLST]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Transom Tie Downs

Not sure about the winch (on Ramlins)- all the Nautiques I have had (Ramlin) had the turnbuckle only- more than enough to keep
her in place during travel (tucked in the bow stop). If not centered during the loading the boat self centers even on the smooth travel we take
to and from the lake. I would imagine if you are on some rather rough roads the boat could travel some in the bunks.

[east tx skier]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Transom Tie Downs

After watching my 88' glide side to side against the guide posts ( during 90' turns) after spraying the bunks down with silicone spray, I use the outer platform brackets to strap down the stern. I use some short racheting type straps and loop them twice around the trailer and where the platform bracket attaches. She ain't going nowhere!

Slight threadjack, but be careful using silicone spray on trailer bunks. I know a guy who used to do that. It trapped water against his hull (not sure how long his boat was on the trailer in between uses), and he ended up with a nice set of gel coat blisters as a result.

After that repair, he switched to liquid spray wax and has not had any further problems with it.

[srock]

Re: RE: Transom Tie Downs

Transom tie downs are going to snap like a string in any real "emergency". They keep the boat from bouncing up and down, that's it.

Over the years I've trailer thousands of miles without straps thinking everything would just stay put but I think other's experiences prove the point. I'll leave them off if I'm running 5 miles to a ramp but any distance I put them on. A spring failure and big dip in a road both less than 10 miles from the house put the boat on the fender each time. A friend had his trailer pop from the ball, again the straps held things together. I'd consider each of these events emergencies.

Bouncing up and down and more often "around" is the primary purpose of the straps. You want your boat and trailer to act as one unit not independently of each other. In the event of a real "emergency" I'd rather take my chances of snapping a few straps but a decent strap can take a **** of a load. Just look through some of the trailer accident photos and you will typically see straps that have done their job.

[ski4evr]

I have an '05 211. I want to install tie down eyes on the transom. Has anyone installed them themselves? What size were they and how long were the threaded portions. Also, what location. Any pictures of installs and even pictures of factory installations would be greatly appreciated!!

[mcbridek]

When I was at the Raleigh NC boat show a few weeks ago, I noticed all the nautiques had transom tie downs. Most attached the the swim platform brace. I talked to one of the White Lake guys and they use tie downs on most of the boats. I purchase two of the overton's brand for my 196

[Mikeski]

I have had my swim bracket bolts out and they are probably just as strong as any tie down you could create on the back of the boat. My boat has 3 brackets each has 6 5/16 bolts that go through the hull that is 1.5 - 2" thick behind the brackets. I would be comfortable lifting the boat with the swim brackets. That said, the real purpose of the straps is to hold the trailer to the boat. You are strapping a 3500lb boat to a 1000lb trailer so when things want to go up it's more a matter of keeping the boat and trailer as one versus holding the boat from lifting up off the trailer. I don't need my boat slamming into the uprights when I am cornering on a mountain road over pot holes.

From the 70's through the 80's we did not use any straps, not even one on the front when we were towing our promo ski nautiques to tournaments. My sister even had an accident while towing with one that totaled my truck. It did little damage to the boat but did bent the front crash bars out a bit and put a few stress cracks in the gelcoat where the boat hit the crash pads. It was not until I was towing up a long hill one day and saw the boat had worked itself about 18" back that I started using a front tie down. Now I use all 3 tie down points if I am towing more than a couple miles. I have retractable tie downs on the trailer, takes all of 30 seconds to hook it up.

[HS]

I have an '05 211. I want to install tie down eyes on the transom. Has anyone installed them themselves? What size were they and how long were the threaded portions. Also, what location. Any pictures of installs and even pictures of factory installations would be greatly appreciated!!

Search for retractable transom tie downs and you'll find brands such as boat buckle and rod saver. I found install instructions with the boat buckle and it shows how to line up the strap.

[ski4evr]

I am trying to decide where to install something like this whether to put outside of swim brackets or to the inside. My trailer has the tie down eyes on the end of the rails which are flush with the sides of the boat. If the ubolts were outside of the swim bracket the tie downs would be the shortest and straightest as possible.

[Nauti 210]

I always use transom tie downs attached to my swim platform brackets when trailering. Also, I have a 8in chain, with a clip on the end, mounted by the winch as an emergency tether for the bow. All it takes is one scare and you'll never trailer again without em!

[OldBoarder]

Agreed that transom straps should be used. Believe the person who actually watched his boat being towed - he has the facts. I have a 2002 Sport/SAN, and Nautiquehunter is correct in saying boat would be moving if not tied down. Also, as others alluded to here, a flat tire will send the boat to the flatted side and push the fender onto the tire - not pretty. Straps might not save you, but you have NO chance without them. Finally, the weight of the boat, while it seems relevant, is really not. The force with which it is propelled upward by a bump or hole is proportional to the downward weight exerted to load the springs - big down equals big up. Don't be fooled by what may seem intuitive to you when a pair of $25.00 transom straps from Academy Sports might save you significant grief.

[migs]

people really tow boats without rear tie downs?.......REALLY??????
whoa!
If i didnt have tie downs on mine, I think id be bald by the time I got to the marina.