View Poll Results: Do you use tie down straps?
I use straps AND a safety chain
225
72.58%
I JUST use a safety chain and winch
41
13.23%
No straps, No safety chain, just a winch
25
8.06%
Allan4 is a putz
19
6.13%
Voters: 310. You may not vote on this poll
Who uses Tie down straps
06-12-2005, 10:45 AM
#71
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Re: Who uses Tie down straps
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. 
Any one know what the law is on this?
06-12-2005, 12:22 PM
#72
Charter Member # 430
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Re: Who uses Tie down straps
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.
06-12-2005, 12:38 PM
#73
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Re: Who uses Tie down straps
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.
06-12-2005, 04:54 PM
#74
A to Z
Platinum Member
Re: Who uses Tie down straps
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.
and you wanna know the kinds of people who lose boats off their trailers....
Re: Who uses Tie down straps
06-12-2005, 09:17 PM
#76
Registered
Re: Who uses Tie down straps
Originally Posted by Sean H
and you wanna know the kinds of people who lose boats off their trailers....
But I absolutely agree with the merit of strapping the transom down. Experience and conservative towing behaviors do go along way, but accidents can and do happen, I cannot disagree with taking proper safety precautions.
06-12-2005, 09:25 PM
#77
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Re: Who uses Tie down straps
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 
