Retractable Transom Straps

[1BadTundra]

Who all us using these bolt-on, retractable transom straps? What brand are you using, and what size?
What is the load capacity and what is the break strength? Most importantly, how do you like them?

 

[AZMark]

I use boat buckles. The buckles themselves are great.

The stainless bolt and nut they provide do not work well and require lubrication to install. Mine galled and completely seized up when putting them on. I had to cut one off and get new bolts - they sent me a second set for free. I’ve read about others having the same problem with the hardware.

2 Inch Stainless Steel BoatBuckle Retractable Ratchet Tie-down – BuyIMMI

www.buyimmi.com

 

[jthackman]

my trailer came with these fulton buckles attached and they work well. i figured they were standard on the shorelander trailers...but maybe these were a dealer add-on? my boat also came with a different bow-roller, not the standard dull yellow one i've seen (not a stoltz either)...

Amazon.com

 

[WiskyDan]

I installed a pair of the 2" BoatBuckles this year and they've been great.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Get the Stainless Steel Ones. Boat Buckles are fantastic.

Amazon.com

 

[suke]

I have the stainless steel boat buckle brand as well. I read the reviews before I bought them about the hardware. I didn't even bother with it. Tossed it in the parts bin and went and bought stainless hardware from Ace.

 

[drewkaree]

Boat buckles, stainless. Never had a problem with the hardware that I can recall, but it's been a few years since they were installed. TBH, these are straps to hold the boat in position on the trailer. They're not magic, if the boat wants to fly off due to forces unforseen, it's going to happen. What I can say is that when you forget that you've got them on, or you trust the wife to have removed them, they hold your boat on the trailer like nobody's business to the point that throttle is the final indicator that they're still on and doing their job. Or so I've heard...from a friend who did this...never happened to me, of course...#facepalm

 

[DiggerPA]

I installed Boat Buckles Stainless Steel, and I love them. But had the same bolt issue where I had to cut one off as it seized half way on. Went to Home Depot and purchased all stainless hardware.

 

[bubbasuwannee]

I installed these. The factory mounting points didn't work so well, so I drilled holes on the underside of the trailer frame to mount them so they head straight back to the tie downs. Also grabbed some different bolts. They work very well.

Amazon.com

 

[drewkaree]

Something that just came to mind after looking at @bubbasuwannee's link, I can't tell about the quality of the bolts used, but you can track down some info on the web about how bolts are graded. Grab yourself some Grade 8 bolts to use on these things. I don't know if they even make stainless in Grade 8, but using a Nylock nut should aid in removal if you end up wanting/needing to replace them later.

 

[Sherwood]

I love them. They help me get the boat centered if it ends up on the fender.

 

[1BadTundra]

Thanks for the input... Stainless Steel 2" BoatBuckles it is..

 

[1BadTundra]

So, I went to Amazon and found these. I've had great luck with Rhino USA products in the past, so figured I'd give these a try. These are well built parts, and lifetime warranty, We tore a strap once on a trail, sent them a pic, no questions asked, they sent out a new one. It was a buddy's fault it tore, the way he rigged it, and they replaced it anyway.

Amazon.com

 

[Babin Farms]

So, I went to Amazon and found these. I've had great luck with Rhino USA products in the past, so figured I'd give these a try. These are well built parts, and lifetime warranty, We tore a strap once on a trail, sent them a pic, no questions asked, they sent out a new one. It was a buddy's fault it tore, the way he rigged it, and they replaced it anyway.

Amazon.com

It doesn’t look like they’re stainless but as long as the warranty holds I guess that’s up to you. Mine are some off brand non-stainless and they’ve held up a few years so far with no issues. I rinse them after every use and spray some wd40 on them after they dry.

 

[1BadTundra]

Yea, I found the stainless ones after I fitted these. I am a fan of WD40, and a believer I powder coated finishes... Hopefully they hold up.

 

[Chadharter]

I installed these. The factory mounting points didn't work so well, so I drilled holes on the underside of the trailer frame to mount them so they head straight back to the tie downs. Also grabbed some different bolts. They work very well.

Amazon.com

Any way you could attach a picture as to where you attached them? I'm trying to determine the best location. The factory holes in the trailer will force the strap to basically make a right angle to attach to the boat. I can't mount them on the side frame easily because the side frames of my trailer are an aluminum I-beam. Which means I can't drill a whole right in the middle to mount them.

 

[Sherwood]

Where I put mine. Mine almost locked up completely, and I was about to trash them. Soaked them over night in salt away, and sprayed them down with fluid film .. good as new.

 

[anmut]

While this topic is bumped up - question for those that use these. Mine constantly get loose. Doesn't matter how far I get the bow up on the roller and tighten it down with the winch and how much I ratchet the buckles down, within a few miles the straps have some light slack in them.

Anyone find a fix for this or just the nature of the boat moving on the trailer?

 

[Babin Farms]

Same here, Just the boat moving on the trailer

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

K so, I have a set at home, but I want to get a third one and put it directly below the bow eye, mounting it on the tongue. I saw a picture of this set up and thought that it would be a good way to keep the boat from climbing up the roller under braking and keep the bow from bouncing on rougher roads.