Securing your Boat to the TrailerBy Matt MillerProblems will arise when you tie off the mast in the forward mast stand and then a rear cross bar mounted cradle while allowing the boat to move on the trailer when braking and accelerating during towing. In this case the cross bar mounted cradle will get tweaked every time. It will be attempting to hold the boat in position. I prefer a trailer mounted rear mast stand when possible. The boat can do what it wants and the mast is held solid fore and aft. Otherwise, be sure that you tie the boat securely to the trailer in a way that prevents forward and aft movement. After the boat is tied down, I sometimes tie a line from the striker post or cross bar and pull the boat forward and tie it off. This has the effect of "locking it" in one position. Otherwise, be sure that your boat tiedowns are at opposing angles, fore and aft, rather than just straight up and down. Or worse yet, at the same angle ie. all angled aft. This would allow the ties to go loose if the boat moves forward. I suggest that the forward ties be attached to the trailer a least a foot aft of the intended forward cross bar position on the trailer and the rear ties fastened to the trailer a least a foot forward of the rear cross bar. I tie off the forward ties then push the boat more forward until it stops solid. Then, tension the rear ties. Back to Tech Tips |