MacGregorSailors.com

Anyone know the length of tie down needed over the back of to keep it on the trailer
also whats a good load rating

From frame to frame just behind the fenders via over the cockpit, I measure approx. 17.5 feet. I believe my ratcheting tie-down strap is 25'. Unsure of the load rating at this time.

I'm using a ratchet tie-down same as those used truckies use, don't know the length, the load rating is 2.5 ton ... recon "Imagine" is safely stowed.

Glenn

I used those for a while but then just tie down with dock lines on the cleats tied to the goalposts

Catigale:
Keep in mind that you have a one to two ton load you're securing. I would be hesitant to rely on the dock lines and goal posts even for a short trip.
The one tiome I didn't secure it for a short trip (3 miles), I noticed the boat move around on the trailer when I crossed over some railroad tracks.
Like the other posters above, I use a heavy-duty ratcheting strap about 25' long. I pass it forward of the pedestal then it's secured to the to the trailer frame.

Merry Christmas from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin!
Only 4 monthes til launch day.
Dale

Y.B.Normal wrote:Catigale:
Keep in mind that you have a one to two ton load you're securing. I would be hesitant to rely on the dock lines and goal posts even for a short trip.
The one tiome I didn't secure it for a short trip (3 miles), I noticed the boat move around on the trailer when I crossed over some railroad tracks.
Like the other posters above, I use a heavy-duty ratcheting strap about 25' long. I pass it forward of the pedestal then it's secured to the to the trailer frame.

Merry Christmas from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin!
Only 4 monthes til launch day.
Dale

hey Catigale
Out here we call it the WETCOAST so we are looking at a wet christmas
on the plus side the last two days would have been great sailing if I had time to get out why is it that 24 hr gets shorter the closer you get to Christmas
BIG plus lots of boat related stuff in christmas list not one complaint that its too short
and I was just in at West Marine and the guy said I can sign up for a 30 day 10% discount for first time boat owners

Gravity takes care of most of the load. You are really just securing the trailer to the boat (600-700 Lbs). If you are intending to place the entire load of the boat on the tie-down strap, I would suggest that you have greater problems than the boat just shifting: The wheels might not be on the ground.

~Rich

About half the time I use nothing ... 50+ Miles.... House to slip, much of it is Interstate.. 50 to 70 mph. Good portion is divided Highway as well , stop and go and again some decent speeds.. When I feel I need to strap it down, I use a couple of those cheap Blue or Orange ....Nylon 1 1/4 " Menards , Home Depot, Harbor Freight.. Ratchets..( Those Held for 3000 Miles R/T 60 to 80 MPH) Your not hold the actual weight of the boat. I wouldn't use string but you surely dont need those 3" Semi Trailer, straps either..Though I have a couple real nice sets of those.. Really..... their a PITA to use and store!
I use 1 on each side , aft cleat to trailer frame..

I also use the heavier (probably 2,000 lb size) rachet straps and go from each aft cleat to the trailer frame. Up to now, I've tightened them very tightly, but now I read that in places that might stress your boat, so I'm not sure.

I do believe that the tight rachet straps provide structural support to the trailer and limit it's ability to flex. That's a good thing I think. ?????????????? If anyone has ideas on this, I'd like to hear them.

Mine is opinion only.

Ron

I use dock lines from the winches down to the frame, just aft of the winches. I figure that holds the trailer to the boat and helps prevent the boat shifting forward.

Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho

Ken

Please don't forget the "Boat" is moving as Fast as the Towing Vehicle... Just can't forget the Lines, Straps or Bands preventing abnormal forward movement... Like Emergency Stops
Attachment both front, and rear of the Boat to Trailer. Stopping Fwd, and Also Rear Motion.


Merry Christmas
Captain Jack

Capt. Jack:
Your picture is worth a thousand words!!!
I still remember the time in 1984 when I made the mistake of trusting a union worker at McCormack Place in Chicago to secure a boat my boss bought at a dealers show. (Because of union rules, we couldn't do it ourselves.) The worker only secured the boat to the roller trailer winch using a BAD knot. I lost the boat in the middle of the insersection about a half mile west of McCormack Place. Fortunately, only minor damage to the hull, however, the small sailboat we'd stowed inside the boat had a lot of damage to it.
Ever since, I've over-secured everything I trailor or carry on my vehicle's roof.
Dale

I just run our docklines from the aft cleats down under the rear trailer bunk and goalposts and loop them back again to the cleats where I tie them off.

According to my handy-dandy Boater's Pocket Reference, a 3/8 inch, 3 strand, nylon line has a working strength, (5 to 1 safety factor), of 350 KG. Times two that equals 700 KG, or 1540 LBS.

I think this is more than sufficient.

After doing a 400% blow up on that picture.......it appears The Captain didn't attach the rear straps??? The Port / Left S hook is still attached to the strap and laying/dragging on the ground..

My boat was delivered to me from Virginia to Conneticut with no tie down straps. Myself I can't do that. Ocean State Job Lot or Tractor supply have 2 1/2" wide straps, two ton, racheting action 25 feet long and it is what I use. Clips on to trailer frame U-channel and I just snug it down, snug not gorilla tight. I trailer back roads through small towns too RI, stap never came undone, emergency stops or that curb the jumped out. Just do not store boat on hard with straps tight. I hear that does stress fiberglass.
Mike Moondancer 05 M