Winch strap...over or under?

I am replacing my winch strap and was wondering, does it make a difference if the strap comes off the bottom or the top of the winch. Inquiring minds want to know.

You want it coming off the bottom. That way if you boat is ever rear ended the strap will be winding onto the winch, if it came from the top the strap would be unwinding from the winch.

Both of my boat trailers have the original winch, and the strap is on top, never any problems for me.

[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=347779#p347779 said:

lckstckn2smknbrls » Mon Apr 07, 2014 11:24 am[/url]"]You want it coming off the bottom. That way if you boat is ever rear ended the strap will be winding onto the winch, if it came from the top the strap would be unwinding from the winch.

Click to expand...

Explain your thinking here - ??????? :shock:

[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=347779#p347779 said:

lckstckn2smknbrls » Today, 11:24[/url]"]You want it coming off the bottom. That way if you boat is ever rear ended the strap will be winding onto the winch, if it came from the top the strap would be unwinding from the winch.

Click to expand...

Doooo whaaaat???

I think that where you run it depends mostly on your particular setup. For my current one, the bow eye hits right below my bow stop roller. The roller is mounted on a Y, so my strap comes off the winch goes through the Y and under the roller. This gives the strap the straightest shot to the bow eye and not causing any friction issues for the strap or even cutting the strap. Setup this way, when the winch is wound all the way in, it holds the bow eye securely under the roller which prevents the front end of the boat form being able to bounce.

This is a test. Right ? Kinda like sitting on the left side to run a tiller? I don't know for sure..... But if you go to a boat show or a trailer dealer Or a boat dealer and look at them you may have a better idea of what's what . And your results may vary !

[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=347867#p347867 said:

Captain Ahab » Mon Apr 07, 2014 7:45 pm[/url]"]

[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=347779#p347779 said:

lckstckn2smknbrls » Mon Apr 07, 2014 11:24 am[/url]"]You want it coming off the bottom. That way if you boat is ever rear ended the strap will be winding onto the winch, if it came from the top the strap would be unwinding from the winch.

Click to expand...

Explain your thinking here - ??????? :shock:

Click to expand...

If the strap is coming off the top and your boat moves forward it will unwind the strap.

lckstckn2smknbrls said:

[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=347867#p347867 said:

Captain Ahab » Mon Apr 07, 2014 7:45 pm[/url]"]

[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=347779#p347779 said:

lckstckn2smknbrls » Mon Apr 07, 2014 11:24 am[/url]"]You want it coming off the bottom. That way if you boat is ever rear ended the strap will be winding onto the winch, if it came from the top the strap would be unwinding from the winch.

Click to expand...

Explain your thinking here - ??????? :shock:

Click to expand...

If the strap is coming off the top and your boat moves forward it will unwind the strap.

Click to expand...

I see what your saying, but it'll only be 8" or so unwinding.

I would think whatever gives you the straightest shot to the eye would be better. Other than that it doesn't make two $h!t$ which way. Under isn't going to save the back of your truck if you get hit that hard.

If the strap is coming off the bottom and the boat moves forward - it will still unwind the strap correct?

My strap is tight to the brace in any event - cannot go any further forward

The bow stop should stop the boat from moving forward except in a high speed sudden stop, and the transom tiedowns should aid in holding the boat in position as well. I've seen the strap both ways, whatever works for your situation.

My boat was rear ended about 12 years ago. It made no difference where the strap was coming off the winch because, the force of the impact sheared the bolts right off that secured the bow stop and winch. The only thing that saved a 3000# bass boat from coming right through the back end of my truck was the transom tie downs. The boat slid about two feet forward on the trailer. The only damage to my boat was a broken trim tab. The other truck was in rough shape from my skeg going right through his grill and radiator.

[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=347910#p347910 said:

Captain Ahab » Tue Apr 08, 2014 5:11 am[/url]"]If the strap is coming off the bottom and the boat moves forward - it will still unwind the strap correct?

My strap is tight to the brace in any event - cannot go any further forward

Click to expand...

No. The strap will winding onto the winch. You can and should add a bow chain.

Or just go fishin' and not worry about what way a winch strap runs.

It will work either way. If it works better one way for your particular setup go with it.

There is no one way, all boat/trailers are different

This reminds me of the toilet paper over or under war that has gone on for many of years, lol.

[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=348071#p348071 said:

DrNip » Wed Apr 09, 2014 12:45 pm[/url]"]This reminds me of the toilet paper over or under war that has gone on for many of years, lol.

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Over!
Single ply, two ply or three ply?

Isn't the important thing that the strap go under the bow stop so that if rear-ended or in an emergency stop the bow eye will be caught under the stop preventing the boat from being launched over it and forward? Lots of people don't use tie-downs but throw a strap over the back of the boat to the trailer frame. Seems like on impact it could slide forward making the bow stop especially important to keep the boat from coming through the back window.

[URL=https://s876.photobucket.com/u...com/albums/ab322/krame023/winchpost.jpg[/img][/url]

This thread has far outlived it's usefulness.