How many of you use stern tie downs?

[MacToon]

I don't use them when I boat on my home lake - it's a straight drive of less than a mile from our storage to the launch ramp. If I'm towing any further than that, the stern tie-downs go on.

[SoCalAngler]

So here is my latest project that I believe will solve my transom tie down issue....

I will be using the retractable tie downs by IMMI (Boat Buckle G2).

In the attached pics you will see where the strap will be run. I will mount the retractable boat buckle at trailer eye strap. I can then pull strap end up and connect to an eye bolt that will replace the rear-most motor pod bolts. I will do this to both sides.

I will probably make a set of 3/16" thick straps (1"X5") to bolt to trailer eye tabs (one end to bolt to trailer eye tab and other end to mount boat buckle) and bend at correct angle so strap is as straight a run to eye bolt as possible.

Another option would be to drill 1/2" holes in trailer cross member directly below the motor pod eye bolts. The Boat Buckles would be mounted here. This would give the straps a vertical run as opposed to an angle. I kind of like this better, but am concerned with drilling 1/2" holes in the trailer cross member.


Questions:

1. Do you see any problems with replacing the rear-most motor pod bolts with eye bolts? The current bolts are 3/8" and replacement eye bolt will be 3/8" stainless steel.

2. Do you see any problem with running the straps at an angle from trailer eye strap up to motor pod eye bolt? Or use my option discussed above?

Thoughts?

Thanks

[crspang]

Most eye bolts are simply a bent loop where the end of the loop is not welded or attached where it meets back at the shaft. Under stress the loop will start to straighten and open up. I would use a "U" bolt. You will have drill an extra hole but that that's not too hard in aluminum. Your placement idea is very good.

[landlockedsailor]

We have same boat. Here's our set up. We always use tiedowns! In this configuration, the strap is outside the transducer wires (tho there's no pressure on them). For a long trip, I'd run the strap underneath the wires.

[SoCalAngler]

crspang.....I agree, the unwelded eye bolt could open, but it would take some serious pressure. They also make the eye bolts where they eye is closed. I believe these are cast chrome bronze. These would still be plenty strong, I believe.

sailor.....thanks for the pic...yes, we have same boats. Maybe I should just do the same as you and use a simple tie down. I was a little concerned about the strap smashing the electrical and transducer wires.

I just like the idea of the boat buckle being permanently mounted so no need to fuss finding the tie downs. Maybe I should follow the age old advice and,..... Like they say.....KISS!

[landlockedsailor]

I just noticed on your recent pics that your transducer wires are attached to the toon so you wouldn't be able to run the tiedown underneath. I'm with you, moving the tiedown somewhere else is better than running it over the wires.

Also looked at the location of the bolt you're talking about. It appears to be on the engine mount toon (don't know the name), in the same/close to location of the existing bolt. Would it be too much stress having both mounted so close? I'm NOT an engineer, and totally new to tooning. Just wondering. I like your idea of perm mounting of retractable strap to trailer. Very cool and hassle free. Just what you want when gearing up to to go tooning and coming in from a great day on the water. Keep us posted on what you end up doing.

[BobL]

SoCalAngler

A possible alternative to drilling would be to run the straps to your rear port and starboard cleats. If if you keep your rear dock lines on then you could put a loop in your lines and strap to the loops.

Not sure if that would interfere with your ladder but it would not hurt to see if that would work.

You could also drill a hole in your trailer directly below the rear cleats.

Either way, your cleats are plenty strong and far enough back to do the trick of strapping it down,.

[SoCalAngler]

I just noticed on your recent pics that your transducer wires are attached to the toon so you wouldn't be able to run the tiedown underneath. I'm with you, moving the tiedown somewhere else is better than running it over the wires.

Also looked at the location of the bolt you're talking about. It appears to be on the engine mount toon (don't know the name), in the same/close to location of the existing bolt. Would it be too much stress having both mounted so close? I'm NOT an engineer, and totally new to tooning. Just wondering. I like your idea of perm mounting of retractable strap to trailer. Very cool and hassle free. Just what you want when gearing up to to go tooning and coming in from a great day on the water. Keep us posted on what you end up doing.

sailor...yes, my wires are mounted with wire holder to the transducer bracket. Kind of hard going underneath.

The eye bolt idea I am considering is replacing the current bolt on the motor pod (circled area on top pic). I would remove this 3/8" bolt (you should have this same bolt) and replace it with a 3/8" eye bolt. This would become my strap connection on the boat side. Is this any clearer of a description? Wish I had photoshop and I could add it to the pic for reference.

That was my question.....is having this double as both a bolt and connection point for the tie own a bad idea?

Thoughts?

[SoCalAngler]

SoCalAngler

A possible alternative to drilling would be to run the straps to your rear port and starboard cleats. If if you keep your rear dock lines on then you could put a loop in your lines and strap to the loops.

Not sure if that would interfere with your ladder but it would not hurt to see if that would work.

You could also drill a hole in your trailer directly below the rear cleats.

Either way, your cleats are plenty strong and far enough back to do the trick of strapping it down,.

BobL.....are you referring to the dock line cleats? On my boat they are not cleats but eye straps and they are mounted about 1 foot forward of the transom on each side of boat. If tie down attached here, the tie downs would then have to cross over to the inside of the pontoon down to the existing trailer eye straps. Am I understanding you correctly?

Thanks !

[BobL]

BobL.....are you referring to the dock line cleats? On my boat they are not cleats but eye straps and they are mounted about 1 foot forward of the transom on each side of boat. If tie down attached here, the tie downs would then have to cross over to the inside of the pontoon down to the existing trailer eye straps. Am I understanding you correctly?

Thanks !

Hmmm....I have never seen eye straps instead of cleats but regardless, I was thinking it possible to go from cleat/eye over a portion of your rear deck then to your current trailer eye strap location.

Appears that will not work so if you still don't want to drill into your boat then could you drill a new hole in your trailer (directly below you eye/cleat) and attach the tie down to there?

[landlockedsailor]

SoCal, I don't know if double-tasking the new bolt would be a problem or not. I know a lot of other people on the forum would have good answer. Glad you're a believer in tiedowns though!

[SoCalAngler]

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

Hey Lloyd--

Can you tell me what was behind your rub rail where you attached the U bolts? What is your rub rail attached to?

I am considering attaching U bolts to my tracker in same location but was concerned about strength in this area. My rub rail appears to be attached to a section of angle aluminum that runs across the transom. It doesn't appear attached to the cross members.
Thanks!

[lakerunner]

I think you will be ok mounting like mine. So far it seems plenty strong

will try to get an under shot tomorrow

[SoCalAngler]

I think you will be ok mounting like mine. So far it seems plenty strong

will try to get an under shot tomorrow

Thanks Lloyd!