Bow Eye Tension when NOT in Use....

[BrooksfamX2]

I do and always have........

[Thrall]

Same here, but my transom starps aren't "that" tight since they're not the ratcheting type so I typically leave them.
The bow strap on the other hand cranks the boat nose down at least 1/2" so I know it's putting some stress on the bow eye.
The bow eye strap, I release it and then crank it back snug in case I forget, but as hard as this pig is to slide on and off the trailer I don't think I could launch it off the back of the trailer if my truck had 1000hp on takeoff!

[wheelerd]

Originally Posted by broncotw

I have been told from others (and a few dealerships) that when the boat is not being towed and sitting on the trailer to loosen the tension from the strap from the winch to the bow eye -- thus relieving the constant tension on the bow eye....

I have gotten into the habit of doing this for both of my boats....

I was curious if any others members also do this?

It begs the question, what's wrong with constant tension on the bow eye? Is that necessarily a bad thing? I don't think there's a danger the bow eye will pull out. If you can winch a 3000 lb boat a couple feet or more onto a trailer using the bow eye, and then haul it down the road with varying pressure on the bow eye, I don't think sitting in the driveway with constant tension on it will hurt anything.

[east tx skier]

Never thought about doing that. I may start. Then again, it seems like something I would forget to redo before taking the boat on a ride. But I guess that's what the safety chain is for.

[thatsmrmastercraft]

Originally Posted by east tx skier

Never thought about doing that. I may start. Then again, it seems like something I would forget to redo before taking the boat on a ride. But I guess that's what the safety chain is for.

I'm thinking Thrall has the answer to take the tension off but not leave it hanging loose. any time I have ever towed a boat with a loose bow strap, I have noticed the bow moving up and down, so I think I will adopt this practice as well. It really appeals to my MCOCD. I presume it would do well for your CCOCD Doug.

[east tx skier]

Originally Posted by thatsmrmastercraft

I'm thinking Thrall has the answer to take the tension off but not leave it hanging loose. any time I have ever towed a boat with a loose bow strap, I have noticed the bow moving up and down, so I think I will adopt this practice as well. It really appeals to my MCOCD. I presume it would do well for your CCOCD Doug.

Probably. But I assume that the CC bow eye, like the lifting rings, is suitable to withstand the weight of the world.

[mikeg205]

dang, now I got to think about this... never thought of this...makes sense...but just another thing to add to the checklist.

[jhall0711]

Originally Posted by wheelerd

It begs the question, what's wrong with constant tension on the bow eye? Is that necessarily a bad thing? I don't think there's a danger the bow eye will pull out. If you can winch a 3000 lb boat a couple feet or more onto a trailer using the bow eye, and then haul it down the road with varying pressure on the bow eye, I don't think sitting in the driveway with constant tension on it will hurt anything.

I pulled one through on my old Supra. Granted I understand it is a different quality build, but that was all I needed to see in order to make this a habbit. I highly doubt it would pull through on my MC.... but with a prior bad experience, I feel the less stress the better. Also keeping in mind my MC is almost as old as I am.

[GoneBoatN]

Originally Posted by wheelerd

It begs the question, what's wrong with constant tension on the bow eye? Is that necessarily a bad thing? I don't think there's a danger the bow eye will pull out. If you can winch a 3000 lb boat a couple feet or more onto a trailer using the bow eye, and then haul it down the road with varying pressure on the bow eye, I don't think sitting in the driveway with constant tension on it will hurt anything.

I think it is more to lengthen the life of the strap itself.

Since the strap does not keep the bow from bouncing (at least not in my case) on the roller as I travel down the road, I also run a strap (ratcheting) through the bow eye and around the trailer frame to hold the bow down better.

I loosen all straps after trailering and tighten before. It has become my habit to do a walk around and check everything before getting behind the wheel. Confession of a sinner: One time I left the trailer jack down but fortunately I notice the weird noise and stopped after just a very short distance.

[MattsCraft]

Agree, don't really know if it is doing anything, just hate seeing it pinched tight against the boat buddy (now don't turn this thread into that discussion) my thought was more around stress cracks/fractures, but again if this was the case, could happen when trailer-ing. I just release it a few clicks and then put the leaver back into the tighten/crank up position, this way if I ever forget or somebody else happens to hook up the boat (that will be unlikely, unless I die, lol) it would only drop back an inch or so.

Hey could be a good theft deterrent, guy tries to steal my boat, does a Don Garlits (Dating Myself) burn out and leaves the boat on the drive way. Trashed the out gear, lost the trailer, but hey I still have my boat