Tip - tie down protection

[Greg K]

Got this idea awhile back from Scott Boldts to protect the transom and hull from chafing and scratches by the rear tie down straps, depending on your trailer configuation and length. Tie Down Strap Cover (http://www.sportack.com/sportstore/product.asp?dept%5Fid=360&pf%5Fid=P11%2DSSGC&mscssid=A4DRXSCD5THP8L51BLSFN8JDX30EDRE5)
I had one arrive today and is first rate for half the cost of similar products I've seen. It's a tube of real sheepskin. I'm cutting these in half and making a slit in each one to access the buckle.

[Ranman]

What are you using for tiedowns? Mine are very short and fat and already have a rubber sleeve that protects the hull. Also the hooks on one of the ends of each tiedown is coated. BEst darn tiedowns I've ever come across, especially for low freeboard boats. I'll post pica later.

[Dr. Dan]

:cool: Good Topic Greg....I made up some chaffing gaurds for our Transom Tie Downs I used some of our Mohawk Commercial Carpet(which my boat has in it BTW) and added some snaps. They offer pretty serious protection if you trailer alot, which we do! :p Regular rubber protectors are adequate for short hauls, but I would watch your Gel or Paint carefully ...maybe adding Marine Sheep Covers would be in order? I would also offer up the suggestion of watching your "Mooring Covers" even if the cover is designed for towing....which ours is...they still suffer major abuse from the buffeting of the constant wind at highway speeds. As a result,snaps and even the slightest protrusion can eventually wear at your nice spiffy cover...which as we all know are spendy little add ons....this year we have adapted some of the "Velux Blankets" to go under the cover, only in some of the most chaffed areas, this will cut down on this abrasion from your hull and its hardware...just and FYI from a Towing Donzi Lunatic....Safe Travels this Season.... wink ..Doc

[Brad Lyon]

I saw Scott use those when he put his boat back on the trailer at Lake St. Clair last weekend. My hull is all scratched up because of the staps and after seeing Scott's setup I will be buying something like them.

Brad

[boldts]

Just for your information, what I'm useing is a simple thing called a saddle girth pad found at most any place that sells horse supplies. I think I took a picture of the transom this past weekend and will post here as soon as I get the disk back on Wednesday.

Ooops, Greg already linked to what I'm using. I'll still post a pic for you all. Guess I need to wake-up before posting. :)

[Trueser]

Do you think we need to tie down the back of a Z29? And how would you do it?

Mike

[Dr. Dan]

Mike....If your Z29 does not have Transom Tie Down "Cleats/Loops"...they are easy enough to install and are available at most marine supply houses. From those you can use the Tie down straps discussed above. If you choose to not go that route...they make long come along straps, but I am not a fan of these because they definitely will chaff the hull, and are very agreessive in there compression on the deck, and difficult to monitor. All Boats will jump around on the Trailer if you hit a large enough bump/obstacle...it is also good measure in case your Tow Vehicle has a blow out or other evasive manuevers become necessary. It's definitely a heavy Hull...but it would be safer if you tied it to your Trailer.... :cool: ...Doc

[Air 22]

DOC...time to go into busines.. I love the trailer tie down covers you made for my 22..
They even match the boat :D

[boldts]

Here is a pic of how I use the sheepskin pads to protect my hull. I had originally planned to wrap the tie-down in the pad, but found due to the tightness of the tie-down it wasn't needed. Also, doing it this way gave me more padding for protection.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/sboldttran0001.jpg

While I'm at it. If you have a cockpit cover that will not stay on the boat when towing at highway speeds, have lock snaps installed in the cover and the deck. Trick is to also have the snap installer add these little loops so that you have something to grab to release the snaps with-out tearing your cover.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/sboldtcov0001.jpg

Also, here are pics of my updates from over the winter.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/sboldtdep0001.jpg

http://www.donzi.net/photos/sboldtdrive0001.jpg

[MOP]

Scott pretty boat, I enjoy seeing the good ones.

[boldts]

Thank-you MOP. Beth and I feel in love with her the minute we saw her. She has all the right parts, just needs a few more horses to take advantage of those parts. My daughter Allison (6) gets so excited when ever dad comes home and says "Lets go for a boat ride."