Bow safety strap (secondary bow clip to trailer safety)

[SilentSeven]

The only thing that holds on the bow of my boat is the factory winch strap.

I've been thinking of a secondary strap as there are days on some steep ramps that I'd appreciate knowing that there's something besides the winch holding the boat on the trailer.

Can't seem to find anything....suggestions?

If it helps...the trailer is a 2004 DHM unit (DHM is out of business).

[NautiqueJeff]

The winch strap should be more than enough. If you're concerned, replace it with a new one. Sometimes they become damaged from sun exposure over the years, but you can get straps rated for more than the entire weight of the boat if you want to.

[MN Ryan]

I added a "safety chain" to my trailer this spring. I'm not overly concerned about it sliding off, but it's cheap enough for the extra piece of mind. Plus, it seems that about half the know-it-alls at the boat landing think that MN law requires it, and I am tired of hearing about not having one.

I just ordered a Curt 80040 safety chain with S-hook (< $10), cut it to the length I needed, and bolted it to the winch stand. I will try to remember to snap a pic when I get home from work today.

[bturner]

I went "full in" with the Boat Buckle stuff. My Phoenix trailer with the dealer package didn't come with any tiedowns at all and after having these on my last trailer, I ended up doing the Boat Buckle transom and the bow tiedowns for this one as well. On the transom I had to use their optional bracket set which consisted of 2 - rather beefy L brackets sized to fit into the mounting eye on the frame of the Boat Buckle along with a set of nuts, bolts and washers. My trailer had a mounting point for the bow tie down so I just used that but you could through bolt it if you don't have a mounting point. Here's the parts I used....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nONTsVFV5ZQ
https://www.amazon.com/BoatBuckle-Un.../dp/B000ENFIRS

I found the bolts to be rather long so after I got everything just right I used a cutoff wheel to get rid of the excess.

I basically added these as I tend to get lazy if I have to do short hauls I won't use anything unless they're right in front of me. It's hard even for me not to use these since they're always right in front of you after loading the boat on the trailer. They literally take about 2 minutes to secure.

[MN Ryan]

SilentSeven Here is my solution.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[SilentSeven]

Thanks MN Ryan - that's more or less what I'm looking for!!

[Salty2Fresh]

I used to have a chain somewhat similar to the one in the pic in the post above that backs up the winch strap. I tried to post a picture but I wasn’t sure how.

I’ve had a winch strap break before at a boat ramp and had to tow with just the safety chain to get to a shop purchase a new witch strap while heading out of town. For long distances, I would go overboard and place trailer straps near the transom to connect the boat to the rear of the trailer. Gave me more piece of mind for long hauls on the interstate with some heavy traffic and frequent slow downs to a complete stop.

[MN Ryan]

By all means strap down the transom, too. MN requires it--I have a friend who got tagged for that!