When I picked-up my 280SS, the dealer put the straps around the trim tabs. The boat with twins weigh so much that I doubt the straps will have a lot of pressure on them for cornering, etc. So I figure your're not hurting the tabs any.
By the way, I have a triple axle aluminum trailer that floats! Because of having six tires, I had to buy (2) 25 lb. dumbells and strap them to the back of the trialer so it sinks.
I know this information won't help you, but I trailer the boat two miles (one way) with a '98 Explorer Sport. Yes I know its probably 11,000 lbs. being pulled by a vehicle that has a 4,500 lb. capacity, but I spent all my money on the boat. I put it in transfer case low and the SUV doesn't really complain. Needless to say I get quite a few stares at the ramp.

That boat must look HUGE compared to your Explorer!!

Do you have a picture of the straps on the boat.? Better yet do you have a picture of the boat on the tri-axle behind the Explorer?

By the way I making my last run on the season tomorrow I've got everything off the boat, you know all that cramp the kids and wife need. I've got the GPS ready I'm goin' see what she will do.

2001 280SS T-260HP w/ B3, I'll let you know tomorrow what the GPS reads.

What HP do you have?

i have mine hooked to the transom tow hook's to the trailer
not a problem.

familyman your boat sit's on the trailer real sweet

the dealer set mine up (in a hurry i might ad) it kind of sits bow low so this winter iam going to make it fit right

iam towing it with a 1996 tahoe. was at the ford dealer looking a a new f-250 with a deisel

My friend owns a local dealership and thinks my bow is too low. He keeps telling me to get in so we can adjust the trailer. It's such a big boat it's difficult keeping the bow high. But make the adjustment. If not water will leak into the cabin. Mine has.

No picture of the straps. I don't use them anyway.
I don't have a picture of my Explorer, but here is one of my previous 'tow' vehicle.
I've got the same engine/drives you do (the biggest at the time). I estimate somewhere around 56-57 mph.
I hope to get down to the boat in the next couple of weeks. I will try and get a picture of how the straps were when I purchased three years ago.
Hope your last run was good.

56mph was max. That's with over 1/2 tank of full. Someone mentioned lab finished props and I'm probably going to get thru exhaust put on next spring.

We'll see what I get then.