Loose Strap From Winch To Bow

[JStyleZ]

I did not use my boat this summer so it has been sitting in my parents driveway for months. I noticed this weekend that the strap on the bow has come loose. I don't recall it was like that when I towed it there last winter. I am towing my boat to the mechanic to get it winterized but not sure if it its safe. I was planning to tie a line from the deck cleats to the winch pole.

 

[youmansjason]

Can you not just crank the handle on the winch a few times and tighten it back up? Then, make sure the locking mechanism on the winch is engaged so that it won't allow the handle to turn the other way and loosen again.

 

[alldodge]

Can you not just crank the handle on the winch a few times and tighten it back up?

^^^ Agree
When I park mine I always loosen the strap, then tighten back up before it moves again

 

[airshot]

Straps can stretch from being wet or sun....most likely someone took the stress off it and didn't tell you. As mentioned, do a quick checkup and test before using it. I also remove tension on the winch when parking my boat, habit for sure....probably would not remember doing so from being a habit.

 

[Mc Tool]

Whats the bit of chain for ?

 

[JStyleZ]

Straps can stretch from being wet or sun....most likely someone took the stress off it and didn't tell you. As mentioned, do a quick checkup and test before using it. I also remove tension on the winch when parking my boat, habit for sure....probably would not remember doing so from being a habit.

I will have to get in to this habit as well.

 

[Captain Caveman]

I will have to get in to this habit as well.

I loosen my winch strap when I park the boat for winter.

However, it's always a good idea to do a walk-around before towing a boat anywhere. Check that all of the connections are tight, it is strapped to the trailer, the lights all work, the tires are in good shape and full of air, etc.

I once put my boat in a lake in northern Wisconsin at my sister-in-law's brother's house. I parked my truck and trailer on the seldom used road next to the launch. When I returned to pull my boat out, I found that someone had taken two of the roller wheel assemblies from the trailer (bolts were laying on the ground). I had to rig up a life jacket on the roller beam so that it wouldn't scratch the bottom of my boat!

Point is that you never know when something will break, slack, or be taken from your trailer so you should check every time.

 

[Jeff J]

Someone took my trailer while I was out fishing one day. Had to use my dovetail as a boat trailer for a few days. Pulled the receiver pin and plugged into their vehicle at the boat ramp.

 

[dingbat]

How Long Do Winch Straps Last? | Vulcan Brands

Discover the answer to "How long do winch straps last?" and learn tips to extend their life. Trusted insights from Vulcan Brands.

vulcanbrands.com

Application	Average Lifespan	Typical Failure Points
Heavy-Duty	1-3 years	Wear on webbing, damage from sharp edges
Light-Duty	3-5 years	Fraying, corrosion of hardware
Industrial	2-4 years	Overstretching, exposure to chemicals

 

[Mc Tool]

Ha , I once caught someone trying to steal my propeller at the trailer park. eh eh eh , I got sore knuckles and his 12' crescent.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Ha , I once caught someone trying to steal my propeller at the trailer park. eh eh eh , I got sore knuckles and his 12' crescent.

Oooh, I'm not sure if the devil or angel on my shoulders would prevail if I caught somebody actively stealing my stuff. It's been too many years since I've thrown a real punch, but you've got me dreaming...

 

[Mc Tool]

Oooh, I'm not sure if the devil or angel on my shoulders would prevail if I caught somebody actively stealing my stuff. It's been too many years since I've thrown a real punch, but you've got me dreaming...

Aw man that was probly 25 years ago now , and things sure have changed , sooooo yeah .
Ha , we got burgled about 5-6 years ago ..... but we didnt know untill the local cop showed up with our stuff in the back seat of his car .
Oh yeah , I still have the crescent wrench ( we call them spanners ).

 

[Grub54891]

Several years ago a guy came back from fishing and his electric winch was gone. People did see someone taking it but paid no mind as they thought the owner was servicing it for some reason. All they had was it was a guy in a red truck. Never got it back.

 

[airshot]

Had a breakin about 20 years back, a .357 slug about three inches from his ear made both stop in their tracks, then neighbor joined me and held them for police. They were awaiting trial for burglary in the next county. Model citizens.....

 

[Jeff J]

The only people to see my trailer getting stolen saw a pickup pulling an empty boat trailer. They said they thought it was odd but couldn’t say what color the pickup was. Couldn’t even tell if it was light or dark in color. The theft happened about noon on a sunny day.

 

[dingbat]

The only people to see my trailer getting stolen saw a pickup pulling an empty boat trailer.

Coupler unlocked or did they take the draw bar as well?

 

[Jeff J]

Took the draw bar. Coupler had a padlock on it but just had the stock pin in the receiver.

I installed a locking pin to hold the new drawbar and welded the nut onto the ball after the theft.