"BOAT BUCKLE" user question

[Dave Q]

:confused:I would like to use the boat buckle type tie downs on my rig....but the info says they should be used with a "straight pull" on a roller trailer, ie not on an angle as they would need to be with my bunk trailer. Anyone using them "on an angle". One issue may be needing a strap wear protector were the strap would make contact with the bottom/transom edge. I think I can see a fix for that issue. Anyone using them with a bunk set up. Thanks

[PMB]

I've had them on my boat for 5 yrs and they're great. The two at the transom are at slight angles and work great. The one at the bow of the boat is at a severe angle but still performs flawlessly. None of my straps touch the boat so rubbing on the paint is not an issue. Fantastic investment for me.

[TJEli]

:confused:I would like to use the boat buckle type tie downs on my rig....but the info says they should be used with a "straight pull" on a roller trailer, ie not on an angle as they would need to be with my bunk trailer. Anyone using them "on an angle". One issue may be needing a strap wear protector were the strap would make contact with the bottom/transom edge. I think I can see a fix for that issue. Anyone using them with a bunk set up. Thanks

If they need to be on an angle then you mount the base on an angle. Not sure about rubbing your hull. SHould be the same as any other tie down. Mine are mounted on a slight angle.

-Eli

[Dave Q]

Thanks for the input.....but the concern with my set up and I'm guessing with a lot of bunk trailers is the boat is longer than the frame of the trailer, the bunks go right to the transom but not the frame. The standard type of tie down goes from the Ubolts on the transom, down and UNDER the transom to hook onto the trailer, or to hooks on the side of the trailer. With the strap making contact with the bottom edge of the transom. Anyone using boat buckles with an alum. boat and bunktrailer set up.

[rebs]

I think the idea of not having them on an angle is so they will not allow the boat to bounce on the trailer while going down the road and hitting a bump in the road
Cabelas or basspro shop heas orange color pads that go on the strap, between the strap and the edge of the transom to protect the strap from rubbing on the edge of the transom.

[Waxy]

Thanks for the input.....but the concern with my set up and I'm guessing with a lot of bunk trailers is the boat is longer than the frame of the trailer, the bunks go right to the transom but not the frame. The standard type of tie down goes from the Ubolts on the transom, down and UNDER the transom to hook onto the trailer, or to hooks on the side of the trailer. With the strap making contact with the bottom edge of the transom. Anyone using boat buckles with an alum. boat and bunktrailer set up.

I am. Here's a picture of mine.

Waxy

[went522]

Mine are at a pretty good angle, all the way from the motor mounting bolts to the corner of the trailer...no problems.

BIRDDOG

[chitterchad]

I have them there great, I used the Universal Mounting Bracket that helps keep the strap away from your boat on some trailers. The brackets came with the Boat Buckle from Cabela's when I bought mine.

Here a link to the company that makes them, it shows the bracket.

http://www.immioutdoors.com/boatbuckle/


http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0001938011073a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=boat+buckle&Ntk=Products&sort=all&Go.y=8&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&Go.x=25&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1

[Hot Runr Guy]

Dave,
Are your tailights past the transom? I'm thinking you could fashion a bracket to mount the buckle in the area of the lights, rather than down and under to the roller arm support??? Post a picture, so we can see what we have to work with.
HRG

[2Labs]

I had the problem of the Boat Buckle potentially touching my transom or being at a severe angle if I used the attachment points built on the trailer.

I solved it by putting a spacer between the Boat Buckle and the crossmember of the frame where I was going to mount the Boat Buckle.

The spacer is the proper length of 1/2 inch conduit. I drilled a hole in the frame vertical post well below the bunk, put a wide brass washer against the frame, put the conduit against that washer, added another wide washer at the other end of the conduit, put the Boat Buckle against the outer washer, ran a stainless steel bolt through the entire works, and tightened it against another wide brass washer and nylon lock nut on the opposite side of the vertical post.

The hole throught the vertical trailer member has to be the same size as the diameter of the bolt, of course. That is the key to the alignment. The hole in the brass washers has to be the proper size for the bolt, of course. The bolt diameter needs to just fit inside the conduit ... the strength of the bolt is the key to the strength of the setup.

The conduit keeps the Boat Buckle away from the transom and also keeps the Boat Buckle from tilting when you tighten it up. So, the conduit is a spacer sleeve as well as a piece which makes the Boat Buckle think it is against a flat surface (the conduit remains square to the trailer vertical member because the square surface of the conduit sits against the square surface of the member and is kept that way by the bolt running through the entire setup).

When I designed the setup, I wasn't sure it would work. I was afraid tightening the Boat Buckle would tilt or bend the conduit somehow. Been 4 years now. No problems whatsoever. My dealer looked at the work after I had done it and said "Hey, that is a great idea. You did a great job!"

I tighten those Boat Buckles down and NOTHING shifts, moves, or changes.

And, I had fun setting it all up. Took me about a half-day to think about the design and another half-day to build it.

[northernbite]

I have them on my older Pro V 1800 coming around the corner of the boat to hook on the transom and don't have a wear problem. If the boat sets well on the bunks and does bounce I don't think you will.

Paul

[Dave Q]

Thanks all. I cant do the picture thing right now....snow and cold and tarps ...come on spring:boohoo: when things get warmer I will pick up a pair and see what I can work out. Again thanks

[Waxy]

Thanks all. I cant do the picture thing right now....snow and cold and tarps ...come on spring:boohoo: when things get warmer I will pick up a pair and see what I can work out. Again thanks

You won't regret it, they're awesome...

Waxy

[DaveD(SK)]

Hi Dave Q,
Should be no problem. Just mount them loose so they can swivel to pull straight when tight. If you are at the sport show next weekend stop by the Fishin' Hole display and we can discuss it.
Dave D

[Dave Q]

Hi Dave Q,
Should be no problem. Just mount them loose so they can swivel to pull straight when tight. If you are at the sport show next weekend stop by the Fishin' Hole display and we can discuss it.
Dave D
Thanks Dave I will be at the show thurs pm.