Do you strap the stern of your boat down to the trailer? Also, unplug trailer lights?

[2500HD]

wakeplate. Or the starboard turnbuckle to be specific.

[gogger]

You got it. Lost a screw out of the turnbuckle. Keep forgetting to find a replacement.

[Jetlink]

Never. One strap and I'm done.

Never, no straps at all on the trailer and I'm done.

[trayson]

This might be a stupid question but why don't you just unscrew the platform, fill the old holes with 5200 and reinstall with more room? For the record i only strap the boat down when i'm heading to flaming gorge or powell. Home lake is only 5 miles away.

Honestly, never thought of that.

And I kinda figured it was normal for a tournament boat to not have the stern strapped down because the two boats I spent the most time on didn't have them...

[Zim]

Honestly, never thought of that.

And I kinda figured it was normal for a tournament boat to not have the stern strapped down because the two boats I spent the most time on didn't have them...

A lot of people don't strap them, but that isn't a reason not to. If you're going a mile or two it's not a huge deal, but anything more than that and you really do need to strap it down. Most states require 3 points to be secured on a trailer.

[matt k]

I strap mine down, it looks more or less like gogger's, but without the nice buckles. And I don't unplug my wiring.

[Jbirdo]

Always strap it down as we have about an hour drive to our closest lake and it is the law here in California. Never have unhooked the trailer lights on any of my boats.

[DAFF]

By using Googers pic you can see the geometry issue causing stress on the swim platform. When the rear section of the boat jumps upwards and makes the strap go straight, pushing the platform out from the backside of the transom. Any weakness in the wood or no backing plates would result in Haugys sight on the hwy. I remember using the bottom mounts of the swim platform on the Comp and Sunsport to strap to because of this issue. What's the best solution ??? Move the swimplatform backwards to create a opening, cut a small access hole in the platform or just take your chances.....

[Sirgonz]

My boat only get strapped if I drive out of town... in town never doing more then 40. As far as the unplugging the trailer... some older bulbs can POP when hitting the water if they are hot it really depends on your lighting, when the bulb pops sometimes it will take a fuse with it because the water shorts out the system. water proof lights and or LEDs don't need to be unplugged.

[Bagar55]

It takes about two seconds to unhook the lights before launching. You probably will never have a problem by not unhooking them but why not. The one time you end up with a short and your tow vehicle ends up with blown fuses and lighting issues you will wish you did. Plus I don't trust my wiring adapter hanging around waiting for someone to grab while we are out on the water.
Transom straps are not required in all states but why not use them? What would happen if you were rear ended? Have you been behind a boat without transom straps on the road and watched it bounce up and down? Hit a pothole at 65mph and watch your boat bounce and you will always use them. The boat and trailer feel like they tow way better, more solid, with them. They aren't necessary but I never feel comfortable without them.