How many of you use stern tie downs?

[SoCalAngler]

Hello Ladies and Gents--

I was wondering.... how many of you use stern tie downs on your toons?

My toon, as I'm sure most do, has a heavy tab/ring welded at the top stern of each pontoon. My trailer also has a welded tab with a hole to attach a tie down.
I would like to use tie downs at stern (previous owner did not) on both pontoons, but the port pontoon has a bracket welded at bottom of pontoon to attach live well pump and transducer. It is basically in the way and blocks the path of my proposed tie down. Starboard toon appears to have a clear path between the two rings/tabs, other than the strap rubbing against rear part of toon (see pics).

Any of have this dilemma and how did you solve?

Pics of your stern tie downs would be great!!

Thanks

[BoatCop]

I'll strap mine down if I'm going to be traveling some distance, like the 45 miles to the boat shop in Havasu, or if I'm gonna launch up there on the lake.

But if I'm just going down to the local ramp, 8 miles, I don't bother.

Your set-up is exactly like mine. I just put the strap along the outboard side of the transducer mount, with a chunk of split garden hose on the sharp edge to prevent it wearing the strap.

[MH Hawker]

I strap mine down to just to keep it from bouncing around.

[Bryden24shp]

Mine is strapped down all the time when its on the trailer. I have seen way too many boats bust bow straps and end up being off the trailer in the road, usually facing up hill. I won't take a chance. Too much $$$ invested to not put on a pair of $25.00 straps. Try going through the mount and around the trailer, if you can't get it on the trailer's strap tab.

[steveiam]

Mine is strapped down all the time when its on the trailer. I have seen way too many boats bust bow straps and end up being off the trailer in the road, usually facing up hill. I won't take a chance. Too much $$$ invested to not put on a pair of $25.00 straps. Try going through the mount and around the trailer, if you can't get it on the trailer's strap tab.

This what I do--Just a few minutes trouble is worth it leaving the trailer for any unforseen reason.
If I could know for certain there would be no issues on the way to the lake-
(someone stopping in front of you, someone sideswiping you, ETC-)
There would be no need to tie down for me, but you just never know.

[lakerunner]

Mine is like yours and cut my strap. I took 2 new SS bow eyes and mounted them on each side of the transom and hook there to trailer. No more problems. Where we live the roads suck, lots of potholes and just rough concrete and blacktop so I also tie bow from eyes on tip of nose cone to trailer on each side. Between the four straps and bow winch strap plus safety bow chain it ain't going nowhere. I will get pics tomorrow

[bigern76]

I always strap mine down because it tows much better. There were none on it when I bought it and it seemed to bounce around alot. It was not very smooth behind the truck. I bought a pair of the straps for the back and put an additional strap on the front (beside the winch strap) and it makes a world of difference.

[Gonefishing]

mine is strapped down all the time when on the trailer. seen boats come off and end up on the road. like others a few minutes is worth the money. would hate to loose 30,000 + because of saving 5 minutes.

[Woody]

mine is strapped down all the time when on the trailer. seen boats come off and end up on the road. like others a few minutes is worth the money. would hate to loose 30,000 + because of saving 5 minutes.

I agree. Why take the chance ?

[HandymanHerb]

Mine is on rollers instead of bunks, so I keep a back up on the bow to back up the winch strap and at least one on the back angled in to help not only hold it down but in place too, I have a diesel truck, so if I forget and stomp on it and it's not tied down, it will be sitting in the road.

If the ramp is steep I leave the winch strap on till It's in the water, moves to easy on the rollers, don't want to drop it on the ramp either

[chill'nthemost]

I ALWAYS use tie downs. I'd like to have those fancy trailer mounted ones, but I just use regular ratchet tie downs. I do use (this is important if you polish your toons) the padded seat belt shoulder harness protectors that Velcro over the belt keep the belt from rubbing on you shoulder in back of the ratchet, fold up the tail of the tie down and Velcro it shut. That way the ratchet isn't rubbing on the toon and the extra strap isn't a hassle to tie you and out of the way. Nice and clean

[Itsabouttime]

Is there any advantage or disadvantage to tying the rear with ratchet straps from each side of the boat to the opposite side of the trailer rather than straight down to the trailer

[margaritaman]

Using cross strapping will give you no advantage in a pontoon boat

[oldmn19]

I always have mine strapped down on trailer!

[SoCalAngler]

I ALWAYS use tie downs. I'd like to have those fancy trailer mounted ones, but I just use regular ratchet tie downs. I do use (this is important if you polish your toons) the padded seat belt shoulder harness protectors that Velcro over the belt keep the belt from rubbing on you shoulder in back of the ratchet, fold up the tail of the tie down and Velcro it shut. That way the ratchet isn't rubbing on the toon and the extra strap isn't a hassle to tie you and out of the way. Nice and clean

Since our trailers are very much the same, I'd love to see a few pics of your set up.
Thanks!