Silvertip
Supreme Mariner
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2003
- Messages
- 28,771
Periodically we remind folks about the value of a bow safety chain. While many feel that the winch cable or strap is sufficient, perhaps after looking at what stands between a safe trip home and a boat in the back of your tow vehicle take a look at the construction of a typical winch (mine in this example). The first picture shows the single tooth of the winch lock pawl. If you really think that peanut butter quality metal will hold during a sudden stop there are plenty of pictures on the net that you can refer to for verification that it won't. The second picture shows the pawl in the locked position. Breaking the pawl means the cable/strap can free-spool so there is nothing holding the boat on the trailer except for the stern tie downs (if you use them). And just a reminder that the bow of your boat is curved so it will launch right up and over the winch post with no restraint. The lesson here is that an object in motion tends to stay in motion.

