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I have just started using my 26X so new to trailering. It came with a chain around the trailer attached to the bow ring. I haven't had problems getting the boat on the trailer, but this chain is another story. It seems you have to get the boat "just right" so you can get the chain attached.

The only thing holding it on the trailer is the chain and the winch on the trailer.

Should I add a strap around the transom or midships or ?

How about this chain? Is that needed?

The chain is nice, but as you mentioned, it's not adjustable so it's difficult to get on/off.
I tie a heavy line through the eye as a "safety" instead of that chain you have. Not sure it's really necessary.

Yes to the strap. I have one that goes over the center of the cockpit and over the side down to the trailer. Get one with a ratchet so you can get it tight and won't vibrate off. If you hit a bump, it keeps the boat from dancing around the trailer.

I just bought my this year as well. The bow bounced around a lot, side roads and freeway alike, so I use a ratcheting strap just aft of the anchor locker, holding the bow to the trailer. I thought about running it from just the bow eye, but worry that the down/up pressure isn't what the bow eye was intended for. With th strap, the boat has been solid.

I use straps everywhere, they give, just a tiny tiny bit... chain does not. Also straps don't scratch and mare things like chain does. As far as the boat to trailer connection goes, you really want to strap the boat tight to the trailer, this keeps the boat loaded on the suspenssion of the trailer and will reduce overall bounce making for a better safer tow.

That picture doesn't look right to me. The winch strap should be tight against the V rubber, the chain is a safety chain and should have a small loop in the chain with a S hook.This safety chain is to prevent the boat from going aft incase the strap breaks.
Again the Bow must be very snug into the Rubber V .
If it is not your boat will bounce on every pot hole and could snap the strap.
Dave

MarkSouth wrote:I have just started using my 26X so new to trailering. It came with a chain around the trailer attached to the bow ring. I haven't had problems getting the boat on the trailer, but this chain is another story. It seems you have to get the boat "just right" so you can get the chain attached.

The only thing holding it on the trailer is the chain and the winch on the trailer.

Should I add a strap around the transom or midships or ?

How about this chain? Is that needed?

I always use a similar chain for long trips plus the strap in the back. DaveB is right, you are missing the Macbump to get the bow forward

Sea Wind

DaveB wrote:That picture doesn't look right to me. The winch strap should be tight against the V rubber, the chain is a safety chain and should have a small loop in the chain with a S hook.This safety chain is to prevent the boat from going aft incase the strap breaks.
Again the Bow must be very snug into the Rubber V .
If it is not your boat will bounce on every pot hole and could snap the strap.
Dave

I didn't notice this but Dave is right. The bow should be in the "V".

Search "Mac Bump" on how to solve this. Short Result: Slam on the brakes at 5-15MPH to get the boat to slide forward into the "V". Then tighten up on the winch. Yea, the chain should be as an emergency backup, but your boat should be a few inches further forward pressed into the rubber "V".

What's with that wire tie thingy? Is that so you know if someone has removed your boat from the trailer?

depends where you are, you have to have a safety chain by law here. Even if its not law there, I'd deffinately have something as back up!

If its too short, get a new bit. I just wrap it around under the winch and shackle it onto itself so it is adjustable.

Yes to strap(s)

As to the boat in the V. The mac bump does nothing for me, and I spray the carpet bunks with cooking oil and all that. Either my bottom paint, or my car brakes, or both, wont allow the Macbump. Thankfully I dont drive far with it currently, as I still havnt worked out how to get the boat where it should be.....

For anyone reading this with an M, who trailers with the boat not safely in the V, beside the obvious dangers, you should beware that the daggerboard is not over the top of that bit of safety wire on the trailer. If the boat aint in the V, its behind it, so make sure your daggerboard line is secure or you may end up with a real short board!

That's exactly the setup I use, though the bow should be in the vee, and the chain should be slack. Add a couple of links if you have to, but the Mac bump should take care of it anyway. You might find that it tows better with the trailer all the way forward, too, with the tongue load a bit higher and the boat less able to wiggle on the trailer.

The chain is there to keep the boat on the trailer if the winch line breaks or the ratchet fails, and is required by law in many states. Same with a strap over the stern.

Mac bump works best with the winch line to bow eye NOT attached because the downward pull of the line increases the friction of the bow on the trailer bunk. I moved my winch higher to give a straight pull on the bow eye. Yes to a stern strap rachet.

The wire shown is a Fish/Wildlife inspection notice that the boat was inspected the last time it was in the water for Aquatic Nuisance Species--ANS like Zebra Mussels

Bob

Thanks for all of the posts! The wire is an inspection seal. When I go to the lake if the wire is not on there with the tag (seal) then I have to go an get re-inspected. Part of that is the ballast tanks need to be filled with hot 140 degree water to the top, and then let out. This is all to stop an invasive species of muscles into the lake. I am glad the lake is big and so far we only go there. If we want to go to another lake or any other body of water then we would be reinspected.

I didn't notice that I wasn't in the V either!!! I think it started in the V when we left the lake last time. So a longer chain, and a couple straps is in order before we go again (tomorrow).

Thanks all!

Longer chain won't help, you must pull tight against the V rubber forward mount. If you do not it will cause stress on all systems and cause your boat to bounce heavy against the strap and frame. Be wise and secure your boat tight into the V rubber, it secures the boat and prevents bounce and stress at many points on the trailer.
If you have the original Mac. Trailer you may consider a 2 speed winch for the last ft. or two for makeing it easy.
Dave

MarkSouth wrote:Thanks for all of the posts! The wire is an inspection seal. When I go to the lake if the wire is not on there with the tag (seal) then I have to go an get re-inspected. Part of that is the ballast tanks need to be filled with hot 140 degree water to the top, and then let out. This is all to stop an invasive species of muscles into the lake. I am glad the lake is big and so far we only go there. If we want to go to another lake or any other body of water then we would be reinspected.

I didn't notice that I wasn't in the V either!!! I think it started in the V when we left the lake last time. So a longer chain, and a couple straps is in order before we go again (tomorrow).

Thanks all!

The problem seems to be the bow is a little down when it first comes on the trailer. Then what I do is then back the boat back into the water and the stern floats... then seems to let me get the bow at the right position.

Maybe a chain with a hook at a turn buckle would be the best?

I can crank using the trailer winch with no problem and it comes all the way into the rubber stopper. But then when I get into the parking lot it has slipped back. So now I put the chain on while I am on the ramp. Its a pain as it has to be perfectly in the right place to attach the chain.

How long should the chain be? I think mine is too short.

OK I got 2 27' straps. Not sure where you are supposed to run them to and from. Seems every where on
the trailer will run on the hull. The winch for the straps will bump into the hull too.

MarkSouth wrote:How long should the chain be? I think mine is too short.

It doesn't have to be tight - it's just for reduncy. The winch should be used to hold it fast to the block. Which is another thing, mentioned several times already - pull it into the block, using the Mac bump if you have to. Yes, it will pull away as the boat settles into the bunks, so you need to give it some help with the bump. Use liquid rollers on the bunks if it won't move with the bump. That stuff is really slick, so make sure you don't take the winch hook off when launching until it's in the water at least part-way, or you may lose it on the ramp.

I suspect your chain is plenty long enough if you put the bow into the block. I would keep the screw link that's there now - it's about as secure a method as I can imagine.