Thanks, found the site last night. Ordered them today. Great price too.
Be here Thursday.

From my understanding, transom straps do NOT hold the weight of the boat, rather the weight of the trailer! After all, your trailer is not glued to the road and will go wherever your boat takes it, since the boat is almost always heavier than the trailer. Just my .02!

I see that perspective, but if you look at this link:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...ow-straps.html

You will see why you need straps to hold the boat to the trailer.

The perspective of holding the trailer to the boat only works when you think about lifting the boat from lifting eyes/rings; and trying to keep the trailer attached to the bottom. Forward, backward & side-to-side movement (in a sway or drift situation) require the capacity matching the weight of the boat.

Very good point! I was only thinking about vertical load, not lateral or forward. In that case, my understanding was flawed! Since the trailer IS anchored (so to speak) to the truck, the weight of the boat should be considered. Thanks for the lesson!

Home depot or lowes carry ratchet straps, 2" rated at 10K for like $15. each. You have to cut them for length since they are 27' long.

http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/

These guys have the best straps I have ever used. Nice folks all made in the USA and they stand behind what they make.

I have boat buckles myself. I think the use of transom straps in general is a good idea and should be used. I know there are plenty of theories of not putting them or having them on. Personally they are just another safety mechanism if the winch and safety cables come un done. Also they help the back from shifting or bouncing. Really in my mind if the trailer comes off the truck then all bets are off at that point and I dont think its going to matter what you got on there.

If the truck and trailer separate, I'd certainly like to ensure the boat is going to stay attached to the trailer. Why?
All things working properly, the emergency break-away braking system on the trailer ought to be doing it's best to stop the trailer. The boat tends not to have a system like this. :D

right and good points. My idea was more or less boat comes completely off the truck, down in a ditch, then you could have ocean going freighter lines on the back, not going to matter because all your going to see is a fireball anyways.

But yes, the point behind safety chains and the break away chain and then the back straps is to be a tierd process to help slow down the trailer and boat in the even of an issue and reduce the risk of a major issue not elminate it.

every trailer I have seen come off on the expressway has never ended well. But I dont know what safety equipment was used or not used. But button line for $30 and a 10 sec job in putting the straps on, you greatly reduce your risk of something bad happening.

pretty sure your insurance co would have something to say about it if it wasn't strapped down and I'm also pretty sure that it's the law to have any load in on on a truck or trailer straped down, It's not a theory.