A warning to all

[Stuart M]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Stuart, Get your self 2 ratchet straps attach them to the transom towing eyes, then to the trailer! as red lines in photo!

So they serve to hold the stern down onto the trailer? When I go down my bumpy drive the boat doesn't even move an inch and although I am very safety conscience I cant imagine the rib moving from side to side on the trailer given the setup. Surely 300+kgs pushing done into a V on the trailer with 4 rollers isn't going anywhere?

I used to use the rachet straps on my SIb 'cause that was almost a flat trailer with a flat bottomed boat - but are they really needed on a rib?

What do others do?

[Louise]

Stuart, we always use transom ratchet straps, even if we're just going 2 mins down the road! Better safe than sorry, I reckon! It only takes a minute or so to secure them.

[Richard B]

- and the chain on the bow eye. The nylon webbing that winch straps are made from deteriorate with exposure to UV, as well as salt water, so the last bit that attaches to the boat will be the weakest.

[Daniel]

My boat (1 ton +) will bounce without stern straps.

As a real life warning my winch strap did break (well ripped 90% of the width) the other week while towing, but of course i had tied the boat on with the painter too. The strap was only 18 months old but the UV/salt had got it as Richard suggested.

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by Stuart M

So they serve to hold the stern down onto the trailer? When I go down my bumpy drive the boat doesn't even move an inch and although I am very safety conscience I cant imagine the rib moving from side to side on the trailer given the setup. Surely 300+kgs pushing done into a V on the trailer with 4 rollers isn't going anywhere?

I used to use the rachet straps on my SIb 'cause that was almost a flat trailer with a flat bottomed boat - but are they really needed on a rib?

What do others do?

Have you ever followed your boat being towed?
I think it will bounce at the stern but if you are towing you will not see this!
Also if you have straps at the transom it will take a lot of strain off the winch strap, as long as these are pulling for would!
Be safe, straps are cheap, quick &easy to fit

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Have you ever followed your boat being towed?
I think it will bounce at the stern but if you are towing you will not see this!
Also if you have straps at the transom it will take a lot of strain off the winch strap, as long as these are pulling for would!
Be safe, straps are cheap, quick &easy to fit

And can be used for stuffing straps!!!

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by codprawn

And can be used for stuffing straps!!!

How do you know that?

[Stuart M]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Have you ever followed your boat being towed?
I think it will bounce at the stern but if you are towing you will not see this!
Also if you have straps at the transom it will take a lot of strain off the winch strap, as long as these are pulling for would!
Be safe, straps are cheap, quick &easy to fit

Yes the strops on the transom would be pulling the boat forward as the rib slightly overhangs the trailer so strops on the transom it is then...

I all ready have a safety chain from the trailer to the rib and a cable to pull on the trailer brakes if it gets detached.

Thanks for your comments

[Hightower]

When I first bought my RIB, I was towing it home with only the winch attached and a strap going right around the stern (over tubes). The dam thing was bounching like a gooden so I decided to take it easy. Came to stop at some traffic lights and the bow over rid the trailer snub and nearly went though the rear window.


Straps all round now.