When trailering our it is our practice to use a giant 3-in ratchet strap to hold the boat firmly onto the trailer. We tip looking places just behind the trailer wheels and across the top of the cabin behind the winches.
That gives us a great sense of security, but unfortunately also prevents us from entering the cabin easily without loosening the strap.
We are about to do a long haul from Texas to the keys and would like to figure out a better way to secure the boat without blocking cabin access.
I only had two dock lines included when I bought my boat and towed it 379 miles, so I tied them to the trailer frame on each side and cleat hitched them to the aft cleats. It worked well so I still use them, leaves the cockpit fully open and I just cast them off when floating off the trailer and tie them back to the trailer before pulling away.
I also use a 3” ratchet and strap, but I place it much further back. Across the cockpit, just aft of the hatch. The farther back, the better the protection about keeping the stern from bouncing. I’ve been doing so for twenty years. Have trailered as much as 280 miles (450km)
When we bought our boat from BWY, they gave us a 3" strap and placed it across the cockpit just in front of the genoa tracks. Seems to hold the boat well. I also add a backup line from the bow eye because that strap broke once.
Plan to meet the highway traffic requirements. Usually it talks about keeping your trailer load secure in event of rollover.
We use our 1/2” dock lines exclusively to secure the aft. I wouldn’t recommend any less robust dock lines due to breaking strength. This keeps the cockpit clear for other access.
I also use untying these after lines, as assigned task when we have that ‘handy wanta help’ person along. Just be certain to verify their work prior to launch (don’t guess at how I embarrassing know!)
Re: a bow safety line is required. Some have a dedicated chain hook. Lacking that, use a bow dock line and you’re ready to go
If you use the ‘Mac bump’ do it prior to to tie/down and be certain you have slackened the bow winch.
You know we have never thought about tying our Mac down while trailering. In Fact we have pulled it from Florida to New York twice and never thought about tying it down. We are trailering to New York again this summer (26) and we will I think use a tie down strap. Another item we do not have on the Mac is a bilge pump. 13,000 water miles and so far have not needed one. Maybe we will throw one in the back on the floor with a 10 ft hose this summer. Am I getting older and more cautious or just smarter.
it is our practice to use a giant 3-in ratchet strap to hold the boat firmly onto the trailer. We tip looking places just behind the trailer wheels and across the top of the cabin behind the winches.
