Inadequate trailer safety chain attached to bow eye

[JeffJuneau]

Hi, The safety chain that came with my recently purchased 26M is oriented so it places a lot of downward stress on the bow eye (see image). It doesn’t really hold the bow into the rubber bow block when pulling the boat up the ramp either. After getting it home, I released the pressure on the chain, and the whole bow popped up and back. In fact, I am impressed with how tough the bow eye is bonded to the boat because of all the stress that was on it. The upward pull even put a slight bend in the horizontal bar support on the trailer when I drove up the ramp. I need to do something to get the chain anchored, perhaps more parallel to the ground, so it safely holds the bow in the bow block. Now the bow is a few inches from the block as a result of this problem (I subsequently bumped it forward). There doesn’t seem to be any obvious clean place to attach the chain to provide the proper holding force or direction and not interfere with the winch. Also, the chain itself looks wimpy, and the direction of pull for the winch is too far down also. Would sure be interested any known solutions to this problem, and get a recommendation for an appropriate chain size. Also, I did see a 2018 thread on a similar topic, but some of the images wouldn't come up, and it didn't address both of my questions. Thanks, Jeff

[Jimmyt]

Hi, The safety chain that came with my recently purchased 26M is oriented so it places a lot of downward stress on the bow eye (see image). It doesn’t really hold the bow into the rubber bow block when pulling the boat up the ramp either. After getting it home, I released the pressure on the chain, and the whole bow popped up and back. In fact, I am impressed with how tough the bow eye is bonded to the boat because of all the stress that was on it. The upward pull even put a slight bend in the horizontal bar support on the trailer when I drove up the ramp. I need to do something to get the chain anchored, perhaps more parallel to the ground, so it safely holds the bow in the bow block. Now the bow is a few inches from the block as a result of this problem (I subsequently bumped it forward). There doesn’t seem to be any obvious clean place to attach the chain to provide the proper holding force or direction and not interfere with the winch. Also, the chain itself looks wimpy, and the direction of pull for the winch is too far down also. Would sure be interested any known solutions to this problem, and get a recommendation for an appropriate chain size. Also, I did see a 2018 thread on a similar topic, but some of the images wouldn't come up, and it didn't address both of my questions. Thanks, Jeff

Your pic didn't come through, but we have a pretty good idea of your issue. First, your safety chain should NOT be used to drag the boat into the V-block. Virtually all trailer sailers, with bunk trailers, have to bump the boat forward after hauling the boat up the ramp. There have been numerous alternatives to bumping conceived during my short time on the forum.

My favorites so far are (in no particular order):

1. Movable V-block that goes forward to load the boat on the trailer, then moves aft after loading to meet the bow in the settled position.
2. After loading the boat on the trailer, strap the stern of the trailer, loosely, and back the boat and trailer into the water. The trailer is now floating just below the hull, held by the stern straps. Crank the boat forward into the V-block with the winch, and pull boat and trailer out of the water.

Tomfoolery has made a nice presentation of the geometry behind this problem - that really helps explain the issue.

As to the safety chain connection point, straight down is probably fine. In a panic stop, it will keep the bow from riding up in the V-block. if you want it to pull forward, you'll have to weld or bolt on an attachment point for it at the angle you want.

I don't have a safety chain on mine. I live in Alabama. No shoes, no shirt, no problem...

[Russ]

Yea, try and repost your pic.

I have no safety chain. Just a strap connected to the winch. It's impossible to get the bow in the V on the ramp. It ALWAYS requires the "Mac Bump" to slide the boat forward after it's off the ramp.

Safety chain? I sometimes will attach a dock line to the bow eye and attach to the trailer in case the strap breaks. I also just replaced the strap as the original finally wore out.

[Jimmyt]

Sorry, got off on a tangent. If you want to get a different angle for your winch backup (safety chain), I would suggest going to the C-channel, just below the winch. These are just mock ups to give an idea of the angle you could get. Any number of different components could be used. I've seen turnbuckles and hooks on eyebolts, for example.

[kurz]

Jimmyt... If I understand you right... you want to LOWER the mount of the trailer winch?

I would NOT do this. I would mount it as high you can. Otherwise you pull DOWN the bow and the it will be tooo hard to bring the bow to the V of the trailer.

Maybe I misunderstand you.

[Jimmyt]

Jimmyt... If I understand you right... you want to LOWER the mount of the trailer winch?

I would NOT do this. I would mount it as high you can. Otherwise you pull DOWN the bow and the it will be tooo hard to bring the bow to the V of the trailer.

Maybe I misunderstand you.

Nobody understands me, so you are not alone!

I was showing a possible mount for his safety chain. He said it was almost directly below the bow eye.

[JeffJuneau]

Apologies for not being completely clear and I tried to post the image again. To me, both the position of the trailer winch line and the chain are pulling from too low a position. This is especially a problem with the loose section of trailer safety chain that came with this beast. That chain wraps around the horizontal bar on the trailer about 1+ foot below the elevation of the eye. I already experienced that point is too low and does not work to hold the bow of the Mac to the rubber block when merely pulling up the ramp and out of the water. I understand now, that it is just routine for most operators to "bump" the boat forward after coming up the ramp. If the bow is fully seated in the block while in the water, I was hoping I could adjust my chain to a better angle and tension that I could avoid doing that. Maybe what I am hearing is that what I am wishing for isn't doable, or not worth the trouble to do. Also, perhaps I need to abandon the fixed chain and use a safety strap, like Russ suggested. I am afraid that I lack the imagination to know what a strap like that would look like. Anyone have an image? I am thinking of replacing the winch cable with a flat 2 inch strap for the winch. Is there any problem with routing the strap over the top of the 5/8" bar that goes across the top of the winch? It would change the cable pull so it would be level; again, not to haul the boat along the bunks, but to just help keep the boat up to the block. Sorry if I am rehashing something that has a long-established solution. Appreciate your patience. Jeff

[Herschel]

I personally gave up on the whole effort to get my bow all the way into the bow bumper. I have bottom paint, and regular bunk carpet on my bunks. It just doesn't slide much, if at all. So, I crank it as tight as I can get it with my winch strap after I get it on level ground, and then, I add another ratcheted tied down strap going straight down from the bow eye to the large 3x3 beam in the trailer tongue (aft of the ladder, of course). I'll stop periodically to check/tighten my stern straps, if I am going any distance just to keep it all snug.

[NiceAft]

Jeff,

Now that I see the photo of your setup, I have concerns.

First: if your winch strap does fail, due to the chain being at an angle, the chain will not hold the Mac in place. The boat will slide backwards about 12” or more. The chain will also slide down the post, causing the boat to slide even more. The only thing preventing this will be the safety strap around the cockpit and trailer (assuming you use one).

If you wish to use the chain for safety, it should parallel the winch strap, otherwise, you are in for a disappointment if or when fate puts it to the test.

Also, expect that bar to bend or the weld to fail if catastrophe happens. That angled bar is not the place to use for support.

[kurz]

I use a tie down going around the bow and the trailer.

Then I put a chain from the bow eye over the winch. Just in case the boat will go backwards what is nearly impossible. Just to follow all the law rules.

Then I completely release the winch cable. Shock loads can be enormous and can destroy the bow eye and the winch cable.

[Herschel]

Found a pic of my set up with the strap going down to the 3x3 beam. Haven't had a problem in 16 years. knock, knock, knock...

[Be Free]

This is the way mine is set up. One section of chain keeps it from going forward, the other keeps it from going backward. Neither is under tension when the boat is sitting normally on the bunks.

[Tomfoolery]

Then I put a chain from the bow eye over the winch. Just in case the boat will go backwards what is nearly impossible.

My safety chain is bolted to one of the winch mounting bolts, and makes a soft double catenary to the bow eye (it loops through). It’s just there as a backup for the winch line, which is synthetic, not for any other reason. I keep the winch line snug, too, but not cranked hard.

I have to do the Mac Bump due to the geometry of the winch line. No way around that unless I rework the geometry (not worth the trouble), or make the pedestal or vee-block adjustable (also not worth the trouble).

I’ve posted a sketch of the geometry and what happens as the boat is pulled out of the water. I’ll see if I can find it, as I’m not on a computer and don’t have access to those sketches right now.