Sportster-2001-951C-Stock
Well-Known Member
Just thought that securing the craft to the trailer beds was be more likely to keep it from moving if the bow/stern lines failed than a bow chain/line if there was slack in them. I wonder if a microfiber pad under the strap would be sufficient to protect the seat under normal trailering situations. Any thoughts?
I still think you will regret strapping over the seat.
Using our forklift and gantry hoist I lift large and small boats by the bow and stern eyes all the time when moving them off the flatbed onto a trailer and have not had any problems.
I've seen the bow eye torn out before, in an accident. A large boat on trailer was t-boned and the trailer was broken in half, the straps and eyes didn't keep the boat attached to the trailer in that case.
I've seen towing rigs drop off one side into a ditch with proper straps, recover without incident. I've also seen unstrapped boats bounce off the trailer and busted to pieces.
Perhaps the right approach is to think of attaching the trailer to the boat so the trailer can't leave from under the boat. If you don't like the bow safety chain setup, I see nothing wrong with improving on that by maybe using the same type of strap as might be used on the stern. Most bow safety chains are fastened to the winch stand very close to the bow eye location, which I think gives the bow a fairly short leash in case the winch strap does loosen.