Tig
Veteran Member
On boats chains grind through gelcoat and fiberglass a lot quicker that a strap will.
Chains Ratchet straps or chains?
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KeithInSpace
Veteran Member
It sounds like I'll put straps on the front right corner and back left corner, and then use chains on the front left corner and the back right corner.
I'd do it the other way around...ha...
They use ropes, not straps. And if you note, WATER has no edges to chafe. Further note the effort placed in 'rounding' any areas that do contact the rope. Furtherly (?) note that UV resistant cotton is placed (on sailing lanyards and sheets, for example) as an outer sheath to the sturdy nylon guts.
And even ropes are periodically replaced once the grand multitude of environmenal effects degrade them.
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Tig
Veteran Member
Come to think of it ships use anchor chains.
As for ropes I borrowed my father's boat trailer last week only to discover that the winch rope has deteriorated to the point where it had the strength of pasta.
As for ropes I borrowed my father's boat trailer last week only to discover that the winch rope has deteriorated to the point where it had the strength of pasta.
KeithInSpace
Veteran Member
I almost wrote that thought, but didn't recall if it was all chain...the whole way. I grew up on sailboats (up to 40'...they're still boats, not ships), currently use powerboats, and we only use about 3 feet of chain at the anchor. Couldn't tell you exactly why, to be honest...that's just "what you do". I figure it makes the anchor assembly less susceptible to cuts on random bottom dwelling items...an oyster-encrusted rock or something like that.
Bummer to become "de-anchored" in the middle of the night. Happened once. Even tougher to fix when you're sloshed.
Tig
Veteran Member
In addition to the abraison resistance the anchor chain acts like a shock absorber between the boat and the anchor. Kind of odd to think or a chain as a shock absorber but the chain sags and buffers the shock on the anchor in rough seas. The anchor will drag less. For extreme mooring situations I've used the same principal by suspending a weight just off bottom on the anchor line. That pretty much eliminates all shock from the anchor and it will hold fast all year.
fish6942
Gold Member
I'm pretty sure he was referring to the use of straps to hold the boat to the trailer (transom straps). If that's the case, the straps only need to be strong enough to hold the trailer to the bottom of the boat when going over bumps and whatnot.
RobertN
Super Member
Interesting though, we try to secure our tractor. But, for the most part gravity holds the boats on, and a little rope on the front.
I was going down I-5 in northern California a few years ago, on a rainy Memorial Day Weekend. On the side of the Interstate, out in the middle of nowhere, was a beautiful jetboat. Chromed out engine, Basset headers, gorgeous paint. It was laying beside the freeway. No truck, no trailer. Just sitting in the gravel on the side of the road.
Maybe it should have been strapped down with 4" straps
Charlesaf3
Veteran Member
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How does someone not notice their boats missing? I'm imagining they had a heart attack next time they stopped for gas. As did the guy behind him when the boat flew off...
stupakmike
Member
You are now on the right track..who would use chains on a sail? I have owned many expensive power boats, worth more than my tractor...never did I chain them on the trailer. So straps must be good.
RobertN
Super Member
This was a few years ago(like 15 or so). Cell phones were not as common. My guess is the owner was looking for a wrecker to lift it back on the trailer maybe. I did not see it happen, just saw it on the side of the road about two hours north of Sacramento.
It looked like a 21' jet boat. I prefer v-drives in a boat like that, but it still was a really really nice looking boat. Looked like pretty fancy paint, a lot of chrome, tunnel ram, big Basset type chrome headers ect.
It was parked on the side of the freeway, just like someone may have pulled over to change a tire on their car or something. Didn't look like it had flipped or anything.
It rained all of that three day Memorial weekend. My guess is they got rained out of their boating camp trip, driving home, and poof it was skidding along Interstate-5.
Still makes me curious about what actually happened???