Trailer straps for CP 19?

[wes]

My new-to-me CP 19 came with a trailer, but the previous owner left the boat in the water all the time, so he's not much help with trailer technique. Most photos I've seen on the CPYOA site don't appear to show any straps (other than the winch) being used to hold the boat to the trailer while on the road. But my trailer and winch come with all kinds of scary owner's-manual anguage about the importance of a bow strap (so the winch is not being relied upon to hold the boat on the trailer during travel) and body straps (to prevent the boat from bouncing). Any advice on "best practices" would be much appreciated by this newbie sailor.

[Billy]

Only time I ever used straps was for the "long haul" accross FL. anything local I don't strap it down. Just the winch. These boats are pretty heavy.

If you do use straps make sure to use something like a old T-shirt or rag to keep the straps from rubbing on the boat.

[bmiller]

I strap down everytime. Sure the boat will most likely just sit there but all it takes is one dumbass in front doing some dumbass thing or another and well......
I use the wide heavy duty straps you normally see on trucks, my boat is worth it.

Of course if you take a look at my boat on the trailer you will understand why I have such a strong opinion on the matter.

[wes]

Are those straps attached to some kind of brackets, or do you just loop them around the entire trailer?

[Greene]

Thanks for asking a great question.  This has concerned us since we purchased our 1988 CP19.  Hull #436.  When I picked it up in Detroit the previous owner stated that he never used any kind of safety chain at the bow or any kind of strap over the top.  I got as far as turning the corner at the end of his driveway before I decided to throw a strap across the cockpit.  The boat rocked pretty good and with an 8 -9 hour tow ahead of me I wanted the security of a strap.  

Currently I am just using a 2" wide strap over the cockpit (just forward of the winches) and attached to the trailer frame on both   sides.  There aren't any brackets, so just loop it around the C channel and hook it to the flange.  I use a couple of carpet squares under the straps to protect the coaming.  The strap still rubs against the sides of the hull, so I use some car wash mitts to cushion that area.

Hopefully someone will give us a method of securing the boat which is a little more attractive than the yellow strap.

Mike

[kahpho]

I do likewise, a strap from the trailer over the aft end of the boat to the opposite side. I also tie a somewhat heavy line from the bow eye to the upright on the trailer that the wench mounts on. A short leash if you will. I wouldn't want the wench strap clip to break and let go of my pride and joy. I would caution that some web straps stretch especially when wet and should be checked for tightness occasionally. I've not used the heavy yellow straps so I'm not sure about those. I haven't had any problems but the peace of mind is well worth it to me.

mel

[bmiller]

Are those straps attached to some kind of brackets, or do you just loop them around the entire trailer?

They have hooks on the ends, just attached to the structure of the trailer. The front strap goes right over the mast step so no concern about compression, then through the handrail with a towel protecting the cabintop where it turns down. The aft strap goes right ahead of the whinches which is about the end of the trailer. I use something very much like this\/\/

[crazycarl]

I've tried the towel/old shirt trick to prevent the straps from rubbing on the hull, but they always slipped or blew off.

My wife came up with a great idea though.  She bought two of those lamb's wool covers that are supposed to make seat belts more comfortable.  They have hook and loop attachments, go on easy, and don't move at all.  I used them while trailering the boat from northern Illinois to Key Largo, and they didn't move and protected the new paint from the strap.

I would assume one could use any soft material, and after marking the straps for location, sew on pads to prevent rubbing.

Another solution I use on another boat is to have strap attachments welded on the trailer that stick out so the strap doesn't come in contact with the hull.   The attachments also act as a step pad to climb onto the boat.

[kickingbug1]

 another thing about straps---make sure you twist them on either side. if left flat they tend to "drum" in the wind and slap the hull,

[bmiller]

another thing about straps---make sure you twist them on either side. if left flat they tend to "drum" in the wind and slap the hull,

Sound advice, even a half twist will do.

[JSM]

About those pads for the straps, I have found a good solution, for me at least.  Go to the pluming department and get the gray slip over pipe insulation foam.  Slotted along the length and easily cut, it can be stuck onto the joint of deck and hull and will stay there while you position the strap.  Six inch lengths of the 3/4" i.d. work for me.  While out on the water they can be stored on a loop of the winch line on the trailer.  Like Ivory soap they float.  They are cheap, durable, stay in place and provide enough protection.  If you need a flat pad you can make one with the same material by scoring 2/3 of the way through in 30-45 degree segments using the original slot as a guide.  Ease it out flat and Duct tape end to end and side to side and it will stay flat.  Or gang them up for a larger flat piece.

As I mentioned, for my boat, a 12' Kolibri sloop made in Germany, it works.  Might work for you too.  I got here while lusting after a CP 19. 

Best to All,

Jim McGinley

[Billy]

another thing about straps---make sure you twist them on either side. if left flat they tend to "drum" in the wind and slap the hull,

Sound advice, even a half twist will do.

I hear ya loud and clear!

[skip1930]

I know it's a good idea to use straps from the trailer to the boat and back down to the trailer.
I don't do it. I feel the arch of the trailer hull bunks fitted well to the hull kind of 'locks' the hull into the arch.
The entire boat would need to jump up off the trailer and then squiggle around before falling off the trailer.
I think it would just jump up and fall right back down onto the hull bunks and on to three of the four rollers.  
A twist in the strap will keep them from slapping the hull. But use carpet scraps. Fuzzy side down.

You old timers will recall that I lowered both hull bunks down and Comfort & Joy sat on her keel supported by three of the four trailers and forward vee block winched tight.

I have rollers under my keel and I hack sawed all the keel bunks off. As they are always in the way, or the keel sits on the 2 x 6's and peels them off, or the keel was damaged putting the hull onto the trailer. Who needs them?

Somebody brought up what's required? I don't know. If you can do it and not cause a problem...it's legal???

Once the crew and I was coming back from building a paint finishing line in O'Fallon, Mo. [True Brothers coolers]
Our 3/4 ton pick-up diesel belching black smoke and doing maybe 45 mph down the highway was squatted down past 3/4 ton. The fifth wheel~four horse trailer was over loaded with tools and welders, and on that horse trailer's back end was a ball hitch that was towing a 18 foot double axle flat bed trailer and it was over loaded as well.

It took a good three minutes for that Indiana State Trooper to come up from behind and get to the front of the truck where our eyes met. He just shook his Smokey the bear hat and sped away.

Made it home that night.

skip.

[ssullivan]

down here in the keys i see people pulled over almost every day because there boats are not strapped down, you may not need a strap to hold your boat down, but you may need one to keep from getting a ticket for a unsecured load. just my $.02

[Billy]

Is that a Florida law? I usually don't strap mine down unless I'm going on a long haul