How to tie down back of boat?

[fyrhog]

I agree on the rear tie downs. One reason is that the trailer needs to flex during travel and I don't want the boat being part of that flexing factor,,I like the boat to be cradled and if it does move it would be very limited. I do disconnect my electrical plug ,,but it does look cool at night under water . I also try not to drop hot breaks into cold water,,if I can I go easy on the breaks before I get to the ramp.

[rcazwillis]

The nearest lake is about ten miles. The roads to get there are not good. The boat will shift on the trailer enough that an intact will be resting on one of the trailers runners. The boat will also bounce at times. Slow down I'd the obvious answer, but I am not always on familiar roads. I will tie it down next trip, one way or another.

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[BrennanK]

I unplug my trailer electrical every time. It's worth the 30 seconds it takes to guarantee no problems down the road.

I would be much more inclined to use tie down straps if Ramlin or CC delivered them from the factory. I don't think I would use my platform brackets, I would be way to worried about hurting something.

[jhiestand]

QUESTION,,,Does anyone disconnect the trailer electrical plug before putting the trailer in the water?

If you have disk brakes on your trailer you can't unfasten the plug prior to backing as the electrical signal is needed to lock out the brakes. If you have drums no problem. I used to unhook mine as I'd heard it was hard on the trailer bulbs getting submersed in cool water when they're activated and hot. That's probably an old wives tale, though.

[BrennanK]

If you have disk brakes on your trailer you can't unfasten the plug prior to backing as the electrical signal is needed to lock out the brakes.

Or you just put the pin in so you don't compress the master cylinder. Do it every time. Unhook electrical, put pin in the coupler, and launch.

I also put that pin in when ever I park the trailer at home after use so I know my brakes are not activated. After parking I always pull the coupler back out and re-insert the brake lockout pin.

[fyrhog]

I use a pin also to keep the tongue from sliding and applying the breaks.

[ski4evr]

Installed transom eyes for tiedowns this winter. Noticed platform brackets getting some play in them. Not a hard job, just hard drilling through the transom. Had someone close to me have a terrible experience with the boat coming into the cab in a collision. He has never let me not tie down, now its automatic.

[rcazwillis]

What did you use for a transom eye?

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[surroundsound64]

They were missing from my boat when I first got it and after installing them I noticed my boat was a little quieter with them installed. I also no longer smelled any exhaust when I was putting along with a following wind like I sometimes did before. I am guessing both of those would be far less noticeable with a GT40 or Excal than it is with a Python.

One thing is if you are sitting still and waves come from behind there is a geyser effect created by the water squeezing up through the holes in the transom. Big waves will soak the sunpad. With the cups installed this was eliminated.

Just gotta keep rubbing that python in out faces. :-)

I dont use them much either the ramp is right down the road. Good idea to use them if your going to be traveling,,could get into a situation where that boat needs to be connected to the trailer the best it can be. QUESTION,,,Does anyone disconnect the trailer electrical plug before putting the trailer in the water?

I leave them plugged in, but I also have waterproof lights. McClain trailer.

[ski4evr]

Not sure if this is the exact one, but this is the type of eyes I installed. I used some 5200 sealant to make it watertight.
http://www.nautiqueparts.com/boweyes...steel12x4.aspx

[gregss454]

I never do tie it down, never have and no problems. But maybe that's the wrong thing to do.

[fyrhog]

If Im going 3 miles down the road to ramp I don't, speed never exceeds 25 MPH,,,If Im out on the road traveling and my speed is 55 MPH + then I do. I have had some white knuckles pulling a loaded car trailer and very glad things were tied down. My recommendation here just CYA. Follow the law if it applies to this topic.

[rcazwillis]

Is there a law regarding boats? I am guessing it is viewed as cargo. Probably something about securely tying down loads.

[SkiTower]

Is there a law regarding boats? I am guessing it is viewed as cargo. Probably something about securely tying down loads.

In reality the platform brackets are not appropriate tie downs, so since there aren't "appropriate" tie downs I would have to believe there is no law.

rarely does law = common sense, though.


2007 SV211 SE

[rcazwillis]

rarely does law = common sense

So true.

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