View Poll Results: Do you use tie down straps?
I use straps AND a safety chain
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225
72.58%
I JUST use a safety chain and winch
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41
13.23%
No straps, No safety chain, just a winch
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25
8.06%
Allan4 is a putz
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19
6.13%
Voters: 310. You may not vote on this poll
Who uses Tie down straps
#71
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Originally Posted by OldSchool
Towed 16' Donzi(s) 18 Donzi(s) 20' Cigarette, 24' Pantera, 27' Magnum, never in 35 plus years of trailering boats has a strap been used. Never a problem, learn how to tow a boat, for God sakes. If it is a 13' or 15' Boston Whaler I have used straps to tie down the transom. Alwats have had a chain at the bow eye to keep the boat form coming forward. This is an issue that is way out of proportion on this site. ![Confused](/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
![Confused](/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
Any one know what the law is on this?
#72
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Use them all! I have a friend that swears he can take off all his straps on the launch, backup fast and lock up the breaks without losing the boat. He has yet to prove it to me.
#73
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on my first boat, a 18 ft runabout I didn't use them for several years until I had to swerve off of the road to avoid someone else. The boat ended up sideways on the trailer, not real bad but bad enoughI have always used them since.
#74
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Originally Posted by OldSchool
Towed 16' Donzi(s) 18 Donzi(s) 20' Cigarette, 24' Pantera, 27' Magnum, never in 35 plus years of trailering boats has a strap been used. Never a problem, learn how to tow a boat, for God sakes. If it is a 13' or 15' Boston Whaler I have used straps to tie down the transom. Alwats have had a chain at the bow eye to keep the boat form coming forward. This is an issue that is way out of proportion on this site. ![Confused](/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
![Confused](/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
and you wanna know the kinds of people who lose boats off their trailers....
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
#76
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Originally Posted by Sean H
and you wanna know the kinds of people who lose boats off their trailers....
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
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#77
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You know, a 10,000 lb boat out of control on a trailer will most likely snap a strap or pull a transom or bow eye clean out. There are 10s of 1000s of pounds of pull on these things, most of the time the s hook or clip bends and releases. They are without a doubt a must and the law in most states and can help, I use them all the way around, What works even better is keeping your distance, being defensive and paying attention. This way you could leave the ball hitch latch off and be OK, until you back down the ramp that is
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