Securing boat on trailer

[5monkeys]

Hi All,
    I was just viewing this anchoring disaster with regards to SV Seadogs sinking in the Med.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vdaxrGfT1M

most of the commentary, begin that this wouldn't have happened if the owner had used a snubber to secure the anchor line rather than relying on the windlass.

That got me thinking: how does this relate to me, since my boat doesn't have anything fancy like a windlass for my anchor?

This is what I came up with and I want to put it to you folks. Securing the boat to travel on trailer.

I use the winch to secure my bow to the trailer, and I've noticed with the new winch that I put on last year that the strap has some stretch to it. Sometimes I've seen the boat "back off" the roller an inch or two. I've also become nervous wondering, did I forget to lock the winch? It hasn't happened but I've had that fear.  I've thought a few times, that  I really should have another way of securing the boat up there that is static but I haven't employed anything yet.

I've seen debates about using the strap over the stern.. I do use a strap back there.

So I'm just curious. .Do you all trust the trailer winch?

regards,

[Vectordirector]

my trailer had a piece of safety chain from the area below the roller that went into the bow ring simultaneously with the winch cable after winching her down tight. It was about a foot long and had the regular connect on the end to quickly attach it to the bow ring on the boat.  When attached it had a little slack in it but wouldn't allow the boat to move backward more than a few inches.  It was a basic safety chain like the ones near the hitch. 

Works well and highly recommended as a backup.  This chain saved my boat one day while pulling her out when halfway up the ramp the strap broke. 

Fair winds,

Vectordirector

[crazycarl]

^^^^^ same here.  a chain with a hook.  the hook on the bow strap broke on the way to the lake once.  even with a 3" strap across the back, the safety chain up front was taut when we arrived. 

i can't believe anyone would debate a stern strap.  oh wait, yes i can.  while on vacation some years ago we came upon an accident where a very large power boat came off the trailer in a turn.  the speed limit was around 40 mph if i remember correctly, and the driver said he didn't think the boat could move because of it's weight.

[brackish]

i can't believe anyone would debate a stern strap.

we actually had that debate here a few years back I think, but couldn't find the post. 

I have two straps from the cleats down, they are just for looks and because someone said it is the law.  I don't think they bring anything to the party FOR THIS BOAT.  Has to do with the center of gravity or mass being so low because of the ballast location.  With very strong keel guides along the edge of the keel that is supported by a half dozen rollers and angled bunks on the curve of the chine I can't imagine a situation where the boat could climb out of there and move. Even if I could pull enough Gs to get it to move, it would just take the trailer with it as it went over.  Now my 14' very light epoxy composite skiff is another story.  I can imagine that thing becoming airborne and flapping about in the breeze as I drive along without the heavy stern cross strap I use for it.

I do have a safety chain to back up the winch strap and hook.

[Andre]

I don't know which Com-Pac you have, but when I purchased my used Horizon Cat and had to tow it 120 miles home I reached out to Hutchins for advice. When they ship new HCs they run a stern strap through the rudder casting gudgeon(?) and the ends go down the stern to the trailer.  They advised me not to run a strap across the stern due to the possibility of hull abrasion from a vibrating strap.  Up front I used the winch strap, a safety chain, and another strap from the bow eye to the trailer to sort of counterbalance the stern strap..  The boat shifted less than an inch.

I have the photo Hutchins sent me but it's way too big to post here.

Andre

[bruce]

Here's a couple of photos of how they ship a PC. I did it for a while, but came to realize that the ratchet strap was more holding the boat from sliding back than holding it down. It was annoying to rig, and if it didn't catch my eye, I could launch with the strap in place. Doh.

These days I use a strap over the coamings, with padding if it will be other than the 3 minute drive to the ramp we use most of the time. Just a 2" nylon strap wth a lever closure to tension it, I'm not trying to crush the bunks. No chafing issues. The boat does bounce without it. Definitely a safety chain at the bow eye for me, in case the winch strap fails.

[Andre]

Yes, those first 2 pictures are just about what my HC picture looks like.

Andre