Boat Buckles

(pierce_bronkite)

Has anyone ever installed these on their trailer? I bought some over the weekend and didn't realize they attach to a hole/bolts in your trailer. I don't have a pre-drilled hole in my Dorsey trailer so before I did it I wanted to get some advice or tips.

Will drilling a hole in the trailer cause any premature rusting?

This is what they look like if you are curious. http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0001938011073a.shtml

I called Dorsey but they didnt offer much help.
Thanks...

(chadgreg) · (chadgreg) **Join Date: Feb 2008** 07-01-2009, 2:14 PM

Have them and love them! Just install them 2 holes aren't going to matter.

(kamighazi) · (kamighazi) **Join Date: Nov 2008** 07-01-2009, 2:17 PM

Drill baby drill!

(bjeremi) · (bjeremi) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 07-01-2009, 2:22 PM

Man I would love to use tiedowns to make myself feel a little better but the Supra I own just seemed poorly designed for tiedowns. I would have to remove the swim platform every time to use them.

(jonyb) · (jonyb) **Join Date: Nov 2008** 07-01-2009, 2:22 PM

The holes will rust if you just drill them. Prime/paint where you drilled and you'll be fine.

They're worth it though. I bought a set a couple weeks ago and they're pretty nice. Much better than the normal transom straps that I've used in the past.

(trace) · (trace) **Join Date: Feb 2002** 07-01-2009, 2:31 PM

I have them and they rock.

(bill_airjunky) · (bill_airjunky) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 07-01-2009, 3:18 PM

Have them & love them. Use the tie downs. The results when you don't can be unreal.

(bjeremi) · (bjeremi) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 07-01-2009, 3:29 PM

I wonder it they make some with really thin hooks.

(99_slaunch) · (99_slaunch) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 07-01-2009, 6:34 PM

J.brenner
Have you thought about notching the swim deck a little so they will work?

(bjeremi) · (bjeremi) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 07-01-2009, 7:21 PM

No but I thought about putting some spacers to move the swim platform up a little so it wouldn't be sitting so far in the water when we are loaded. Then I could also move it out just a little bit as well. I really like the idea of straps just removing the swim platform is a little bit of a pain.

(tailgate) · (tailgate) **Join Date: Apr 2007** 07-01-2009, 8:18 PM

Have them and like them, alot easier than the removable ones.

(cameronb) · (cameronb) **Join Date: Jun 2009** 07-01-2009, 9:42 PM

What's the purpose of these?

Just another way to be sure your boat isnt going anywhere when being towed?
I see them a lot more often on fishing boats..

(yubasanger) · (yubasanger) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 07-01-2009, 11:14 PM

They make these brackets that bolt to your original tie down tabs. Don't know if they will work for you, just another option.

Upload

MFR# F14254 around $10

(trace) · (trace) **Join Date: Feb 2002** 07-02-2009, 7:13 AM

Rear tiedowns are very important. It amazes me how so many inboard mfrs don't design for them, and how many owners that could use them don't.

(tailgate) · (tailgate) **Join Date: Apr 2007** 07-02-2009, 7:32 AM

I was following my friend to the ramp one time and he went over some tracks slowly and the boat still hopped up about 3 inches off the bunks...

Cheap insurance to help keep your boat on the trailer should your bow strap fail. There was an image along time ago on here of a truck that slammed into a pole, and the boat was in the bed and roof of the truck, there were arguments that the straps would not have helped, but i still argue that its better than nothing, and takes 30 seconds...

(bill_airjunky) · (bill_airjunky) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 07-02-2009, 7:44 AM

It's also a good idea to have a safety chain/cable on the bow too. Over the years I've personally had two of the bow winches implode. Apparently the boat put enough stress on them that the strap or winch mechanism itself just gave up over a big bump.

The Extreme trailer I currently have is the only trailer I've seen that actually came with a safety cable that hooks to the bow. I installed one on my MC 205 trailer 10 yrs ago after replacing the winch.