Boat Buckles

[teachercop]

California it is the LAW that the backs have to be tied down. I have several friends that are CHP officers and they tell me the only way you will really get called on it is if your are driving really crazy, get pulled over, and you have a new officer or a butt.... for an officer. They have also told me when the swim deck is on they can not really see clearly if it is straped or not and in order to pull you over they have to be able to see an obvious violation of the law.

Is there new regulation in California specifically calling for the boat buckles? The only legislation I am aware of that talks to this point is from the California Vehicle Code:

31500. No vehicle upon which is loaded any trailer shall be driven
or moved on any highway unless the trailer is securely bound to the
vehicle in such a manner as to prevent the trailer from shifting,
toppling over, or otherwise becoming unstable.[/LEFT][/CENTER]
A specifically designed boat trailer with bunks and bow strap should do it.

Has anyone recieved a citation for such a violation?

I opted and added the transom boat buckles from my trailer manufacturer Extreme. I just had the axle replaced as I discovered it was misaligned for the past five years. Went through 5 tires on one axle, finally took it to an alignment shop and had them examine it. I digress,,,had the boat buckles replaced, I prefer to use the swim step bracket although my buckles won't bite becasue the strap is not extended far enough....I do not like to use the transom hooks as the strap rubs on the swim step which is why I had to replace them.

[jleger98]

Look at it this way. If you get in an accident, you boat flies off the trailer and hits another car, guess whos responsible, even if the original accident was not your fault!!

[jleger98]

For the amount of $$ and time needed, it shouldn't even be an issue.

If you are worried about scuffing the gelcoat, get a woolie or something to soft to put inbetween the strap and the getcoat. When I get my boat out of storage, I'll try to remember to post pics of what I have.

Basically just straps up to the loops. Straps have a soft terry-cloth piece around it to keep the gelcoat nice. And frankly, there is very little wind behind the boat even at speed, so there should be limited wear.

Just my $.02

[Razzman]

I'm with ya, i won't tow without 'em. It takes but a few seconds to remove them before launching.

[bschmaus]

Just take the swimplatform off and either put it in the boat or the back of the tow vehicle. Takes only a second and then put the straps on. Piece of cake.

[teachercop]

Look at it this way. If you get in an accident, you boat flies off the trailer and hits another car, guess whos responsible, even if the original accident was not your fault!!

Well out here in Cali,,,in such cases we would sue Cal Trans (State Road Dept) for some engineering oversight that contibuted to the original accident...

[anhaney]

Generally for long trips I take the swim platform off so it does not bounce and cause excess stress on the back of the boat while going down the road. If you could find some hooks big enough to hook to the braket for the swim platform that would be the way to go. This is another reason you need a truck not an SUV to pull your boat. Or yes you could put a good wash mitt or somthing between the boat and the hook/strap.

[evil0ne]

Just take the swimplatform off and either put it in the boat or the back of the tow vehicle. Takes only a second and then put the straps on. Piece of cake.

You obviously have a Fiberglass platform. That teak is HEAVY .

I really don't think the platforms are hindering anything because without the platform the strap is following the same line as with the platform. Doesn't mean that removing that extra 4' from the back of the boat is a bad idea when manueving in tight spaces though.

[sparky216]

Generally for long trips I take the swim platform off so it does not bounce and cause excess stress on the back of the boat while going down the road. If you could find some hooks big enough to hook to the braket for the swim platform that would be the way to go. This is another reason you need a truck not an SUV to pull your boat. Or yes you could put a good wash mitt or somthing between the boat and the hook/strap.

WOW, I load the back of my platform with 6-8 gas cans for the Sea-Doo. This is for real long trips, 8-10 hrs.

[evil0ne]

This is another reason you need a truck not an SUV to pull your boat.

I don't get it, what's the reason an SUV is bad when talking about the straps?

[jleger98]

I think he's talking about a truck being better for stopping. Not terribly sure I agree though. I guess I've always assumed that if a truck is rated to pull 7500 lbs, its brakes are capable of stopping that much too.

[sparky216]

I think he's talking about a truck being better for stopping. Not terribly sure I agree though. I guess I've always assumed that if a truck is rated to pull 7500 lbs, its brakes are capable of stopping that much too.

jleger,
How in the world did you get braking from:

Generally for long trips I take the swim platform off so it does not bounce and cause excess stress on the back of the boat while going down the road. If you could find some hooks big enough to hook to the braket for the swim platform that would be the way to go. This is another reason you need a truck not an SUV to pull your boat. Or yes you could put a good wash mitt or somthing between the boat and the hook/strap.

Just curious man

[zad0030]

jleger,
How in the world did you get braking from:

Generally for long trips I take the swim platform off so it does not bounce and cause excess stress on the back of the boat while going down the road. If you could find some hooks big enough to hook to the braket for the swim platform that would be the way to go. This is another reason you need a truck not an SUV to pull your boat. Or yes you could put a good wash mitt or somthing between the boat and the hook/strap.

Just curious man

Wait a minute if the bouncing of the platform causes too much stress on the hull why would you attach the rear straps onto the platform brackets?

[sparky216]

Wait a minute if the bouncing of the platform causes too much stress on the hull why would you attach the rear straps onto the platform brackets?

I've never had a problem with my platform bouncing, then again I'm not looking at it while I'm towing so I really dont know. The reason I started this thread is to find out where people attach their tie downs and if it is ok to attach to platform brackets. As far as

Generally for long trips I take the swim platform off so it does not bounce and cause excess stress on the back of the boat while going down the road. If you could find some hooks big enough to hook to the braket for the swim platform that would be the way to go. This is another reason you need a truck not an SUV to pull your boat. Or yes you could put a good wash mitt or somthing between the boat and the hook/strap.

I was quoting Anhaney

[Carter13]

Sparky,

Where did you get the boat buckles from?

Are they retractable? or just really short?

What is the cost?