How many of you use stern tie downs?

[MPosey519]

Yep, I tie down bow and stern. ratchet straps as well. one on each log in the stern, and one strap going log to log under the trailer arm on the bow.

[stickman]

I always strap mine down (see pic). Notice on the starboard side that my strap actually lays right on the mount.

I have never seen one come one off the trailer first hand, but when someone in the future asks if they have ever had an issue, I don't want to be the guy they are referring to when they say, "No, but I once saw a guy with a pontoon that...".

Note, the yellow line in the middle of the picture is because I had a temporary fly covering the boat before I got my barn built, and I needed to keep the fly from blowing away.

[lakerunner]

Here is how I added 2 eye bolts to tie down stern

[curtiscapk]

Fantastic idea Loyd!!!!

[lakerunner]

How many have the warning above the transducer bracket?

It says Caution Moderate Injury could occur trying to us it as a step.

[GXPWeasel]

When mine's on the trailer, it's always tied down. 2 rear straps, the regular winch strap, and a backup / safety strap to the winch strap. I don't want to take any chances to save 2-3 minutes.

[justrfb]

+1... ALWAYS tied down...

Sincerely,
Rich

[VaGent]

I use a "safety CHAIN" on my bow as well as the winch strap. Two ratchet straps on the stern. One for each log. I installed a 1/4"X4"X48" piece of 6061T aluminum to the cross members in the bow to attach the bow "eye" to. This allows me to pull against 4 cross members instead of just one in the front. I've seen several of the bow eyes pull out & or bend the first cross members on several boats. I looked that newer boats & many of them have the bow eye installed this way. It might be an "over kill" but it sure beats having the bow eye pull out.

[redbeard]

1+ on the always 4 points, 3 straps 1 chain

[Bryden24shp]

Alot of info and pics of how I strapped my old Manitou down for the long haul, here.... viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13728&start=0&hilit=towing
Pretty much the same with the Premier, too.
Might help!

[Drago]

When I did this to my trailer bunks, I decided the short trip to the lake ramp was too hilly to not tie down the rear. This stuff is just to damn slippery! I do it all the time now, not just on long trips where I tie four corners.




I added stainless steel 3/8" eye bolts to the ends of four conveniently placed channel aluminum frame members. I tie to these eye bolts and to the trailer frame.

[oldcoot]

We always have ours strapped down....last year on St. Paddy's day, a drunk driver going the same direction, ran into the boat while we were pulling it home...at the time I had a Blazer....he had a Yukon and as the Blazer was starting to turn towards his truck, I could see him puking out his window...he had turned into the boat and if I had not had tie downs on the back...it would've come off the trailer, flipped both of us and just a disaster.Luckily I whipped the wheel to the right and was able to get under control and chase him through a busy casino lot and get the plate....he recieved 7 citations...and his insurance cancelled.
BUT...my wonderful wife and I are ok and able to continue 'toonin'!

[curtiscapk]

this is a good deal if you want a cheap way to protect your toon.

http://www.basspro.com/Transom-TuneUp-K ... 302271053/

and free shipping.

[SoCalAngler]

what are your thoughts on drilling two 1/2" holes on center cross member about 2 feet in from both right and left trailer lights and mounting eye bolts. I can then attach a strap to top of pontoon log eye-ring and other end of strap to an eye bolt mounted to the 1/2" holes. Straps would angle towards center of trailer and would avoid the transducer mounting bracket.
I really do not like drilling holes in my trailer, especially 1/2"

I just want a simple, safe way to tie down my transom without ruining my transducer bracket.

Thoughts?

[chill'nthemost]

We always have ours strapped down....last year on St. Paddy's day, a drunk driver going the same direction, ran into the boat while we were pulling it home...at the time I had a Blazer....he had a Yukon and as the Blazer was starting to turn towards his truck, I could see him puking out his window...he had turned into the boat and if I had not had tie downs on the back...it would've come off the trailer, flipped both of us and just a disaster.Luckily I whipped the wheel to the right and was able to get under control and chase him through a busy casino lot and get the plate....he recieved 7 citations...and his insurance cancelled.
BUT...my wonderful wife and I are ok and able to continue 'toonin'!

I'd have a few other comments if this wasn't in the general discussion forum, but wow....Could of been a way different out come for both of you. I had a moron run me off the road on the way back from the lake a few years back. He kept running others off the road in front of us. Pissed me off so much I went miles past my house to chase him down (pulling a 25ft toon) to get his plate number. I'll never know if they caught the SOB, I can only hope.