Transom Tie Downs?

[ajholt7]

Is it o.k. to hook transom tie downs to the Swim platform braces?
I don't see anyway to hook them to the transom eyes.

[mtnsmith]

I wouldn't. Are your eyes above the swim platform? I'm not familiar with the 20v transom. On my 22v the eyes are well above the platform and I use traditional straps but with boatbuckle tie down pads, they are yellow flexible pvc pads that keep the strap and buckle from beating up the transom. I can get a picture later when it is not raining if you would like.

[MoneyPity]

You should be able to get the tie down strap to slide between the swim platform and the stern and then hook to the rear eyelets. I would not tie down to swim platform brackets.

[Jason B]

Use your transom hooks, not your swim platform. You will have room betwen the deck and the transom.

As an aside, these are the greatest things since the boat itself.
Best gift I EVER got.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...LTokenURL=true

[brett22i]

You must have the same problem I have. You have to fish the strap in between the platform and the transom edge. If you do that the hook and strap are going to rub against the gel coat and scratch it. If you hook to the swim platform brackets and you were involved in an accident, the shear pins holding the platform in place would simply break off and wouldnt do a bit of good.

[Dan and Christy]

We attach to the swim platform brackets and don't see any problem with it.

[ajholt7]

I use the boat buckle straps and the buckle part is right where the platform is. It will work if I use the uncoated hook at the boat, but I would rather not. I just thought the swim platform brackets look as strong if not stronger than the transom eyes.

[Joeprunc]

I wouldn't tie down to the swim step. You figure those are designed to support a few hundred pounds. The transom hooks are designed to support a few thousand pounds. I don't know how these boats are made, but I can assure you there is a lot of additional support behind the transom hooks when compared to the swim platform.

[dingleberry]

I wouldn't tie down to the swim step. You figure those are designed to support a few hundred pounds. The transom hooks are designed to support a few thousand pounds. I don't know how these boats are made, but I can assure you there is a lot of additional support behind the transom hooks when compared to the swim platform.

x 2

The transom hooks are used to lift the boat with cranes. They are definitely stout and designed to handle a whole lot more force than the swim platform supports.

[Fast1911]

hhmmmmmmmmmm, wonder if I should post pics of what happens when you DON'T strap down.............

[ajholt7]

I wish someone from Tige would weigh in on this. It seems to be a common problem.

[MoneyPity]

Use your transom hooks, not your swim platform. You will have room betwen the deck and the transom.

As an aside, these are the greatest things since the boat itself.
Best gift I EVER got.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...LTokenURL=true

I had retractables put on my trailer and also like them. I don't have stainless hooks though and the plastic coating has come off of one of the hooks.

To keep strap from rubbing on gelcoat we cut a sock apart and slide it over the web strap and it seems to do the trick.

[dingleberry]

I wish someone from Tige would weigh in on this. It seems to be a common problem.

OK, I understand that in a severe crash, the forces involved are likely to send the boat flying regardless. The straps, hooks, and attachment to the trailer are not going to hold back the massive momentum of a boat determined to continue moving in a straight line, no matter if it is connected to the transom lifting/tiedown points or to the swimstep. Or, if it stays connected, then the trailer is just along for the ride with the boat, where ever that goes.

But looking at the picture of the straps running to the swimstep support brackets makes me concerned for any low speed bumps, as well. The straps are moderately angled toward the trailer connection. This applies a lateral load upon the swimstep support bracket. Those brackets can't be designed to withstand any lateral force beyond those imposed by a large person jumping sideways from the swim platform. They are primarily designed to support a vertical load of someone standing on the platform. In the event of a relatively small jarring force from the side, I think those brackets would fold over easily, resulting in costly repairs to the brackets and possibly the swimstep and/or transom.

Just my . Then again, I am a clueless civil engineer. Any mechanical engineers want to weigh in on this with a more edumacated view?

[R&T Babich]

... The transom hooks are used to lift the boat with cranes. They are definitely stout and designed to handle a whole lot more force than the swim platform supports.

Here is a pic of the original hooks on our boat.
I replaced them with a set with longer shanks and added plates.

[dingleberry]

Here is a pic of the original hooks on our boat.
I replaced them with a set with longer shanks and added plates.

I agree that all threads on the nut should be fully engaged, or else you may not be able to provide the maximum load carrying capacity of the nut/bolt system. Anything beyond that is unneeded (I think...again, mechanical or structural eng may say that I'm full of baloney).

But, I would be extremely surprised if they were not constructed with some additional support plates inside the glass to distribute the load when they are lifted.