{"id":606,"date":"2026-10-21T23:21:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T15:21:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.firmarehberde.com\/blog\/?p=606"},"modified":"2026-10-21T23:21:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T15:21:13","slug":"can-ratchet-tie-downs-be-used-for-securing-boats-4d43-9e6e03","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.firmarehberde.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/21\/can-ratchet-tie-downs-be-used-for-securing-boats-4d43-9e6e03\/","title":{"rendered":"Can ratchet tie downs be used for securing boats?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever stood at a boat ramp, watching a friend heave a 22-foot center console onto a trailer, their knuckles white as they crank a winch strap, you\u2019ve probably wondered: could that ratchet tie down you use for moving lawn equipment or lumber work here? For years, the marine industry stuck to dedicated winch straps, cam buckles, and chain systems for boat trailering, but in my 12 years as a ratchet tie down supplier, I\u2019ve fielded this question more times than I can count\u2014from first-time boat owners loading a 14-foot aluminum fishing skiff to seasoned marinas prepping for hurricane season. The short answer is yes, ratchet tie downs can absolutely be used for securing boats\u2014but only if you pick the right ones, use them correctly, and account for the unique demands of marine environments<\/em>. Let\u2019s break down why that works, where it makes perfect sense, where it falls short, and how to avoid the mistakes that turn a simple tie down into a safety hazard. Ratchet Tie Down<\/a><\/p>\n

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First, let\u2019s talk about why ratchet tie downs are actually a better fit for many boat securement jobs than traditional marine straps. The biggest advantage is their load capacity and adjustability. A standard 2-inch ratchet tie down, for example, has a working load limit (WLL) of 3,333 pounds\u2014most recreational boats under 25 feet weigh between 2,000 and 5,000 pounds, so two or four of those would cover the load with extra capacity to spare. Unlike cam buckles, which slip under tension if not cinched perfectly, ratchet tie downs create consistent, even tension across their entire length; that means less guesswork when you\u2019re dealing with irregularly shaped hulls or trailers with uneven attachment points. I\u2019ve seen customers use them for everything from small Jon boats to 28-foot pontoons, and the key that makes this work is matching the tie down to the boat\u2019s weight and length, not just grabbing the cheapest option off a shelf.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the thing most people get wrong: ratchet tie downs aren\u2019t one-size-fits-all for marine use. Regular ratchet straps (the kind you\u2019d buy to move a couch or a stack of firewood) use polyester webbing that\u2019s fine for dry, indoor use, but it doesn\u2019t hold up to saltwater, UV rays, and temperature swings the way marine-specific products do. Last year, a customer came to me with a problem: he\u2019d used a pair of $10 generic ratchet straps to haul his 18-foot fishing boat 200 miles down the coast, and halfway there, one strap snapped. He was lucky\u2014he\u2019d been going 55 mph, and the boat drifted just enough that he was able to pull over safely. When I looked at the broken strap, the webbing was frayed along the edges, and the ratchet mechanism was corroded from being exposed to salt spray and humidity during loading and unloading at the ramp. That\u2019s why, when you\u2019re using ratchet tie downs for boats, you need to look for ones labeled \u201cmarine-grade\u201d or \u201ccorrosion-resistant,\u201d not just generic heavy-duty straps.<\/p>\n

Marine-grade ratchet tie downs differ from standard ones in two key ways: the webbing and the hardware. Most high-quality marine ratchet straps use webbing treated with UV inhibitors and a coating that repels saltwater, so it won\u2019t degrade when left exposed to the elements for hours (or days, if you\u2019re storing your boat on a trailer for the winter). The hardware\u2014ratchet mechanisms, hooks, and adjusters\u2014is usually made of galvanized steel or stainless steel, which resists rust far better than the plain steel hardware on cheap generic straps. I stock three lines of marine-rated ratchet tie downs at my shop, and we\u2019ve tested them against saltwater spray, 100+ mph winds, and freezing temperatures to make sure they hold up\u2014something regular straps just aren\u2019t designed for.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s get into the practical uses where ratchet tie downs shine for boat securement. The most common job is trailering boats for recreation\u2014whether you\u2019re heading to a lake for the weekend or driving across the state to a new marina. For small to mid-sized boats (under 25 feet, 5,000 pounds or less), ratchet tie downs work perfectly when paired with your trailer\u2019s existing winch. The standard approach is to use two ratchet straps, attached to the boat\u2019s reinforced lifting points (never the bow eye or the gunwales, which are thin and can crack under tension) and anchored to the trailer\u2019s frame or side rails, one on each side of the boat. This is more stable than using just the winch strap alone because it prevents side-to-side sway, which is one of the top causes of trailer accidents on the highway. I\u2019ve recommended this method to hundreds of boat owners, and we rarely hear about sway or straps coming loose\u2014if you do it right.<\/p>\n

Another area where ratchet tie downs excel is long-term storage and emergency securement. If you\u2019re keeping your boat on a trailer for the off-season, or in an area prone to hurricanes, high winds, or floods, ratchet tie downs add an extra layer of security beyond the basic winch. When I worked with a marina in Florida a few years ago, they used heavy-duty marine ratchet straps to secure 30+ boats during hurricane season, tying each boat to fixed anchor points on the dock and the ground, not just their trailers. The ratchet\u2019s ability to apply consistent tension meant the boats wouldn\u2019t shift or lift even during 120 mph winds, which is a huge benefit over more flexible cam buckles that can stretch over time and lose tension. Even for smaller jobs, like securing a dinghy to the swim platform of a larger boat, ratchet tie downs are lightweight and easy to adjust, making them a go-to for many recreational sailors.<\/p>\n

But before you run out and buy a dozen ratchet straps, there are critical limitations you need to know about. First, ratchet tie downs are not designed for permanent mooring\u2014meaning they shouldn\u2019t be used to keep a boat tied to a dock in open water for long periods. The constant pull of waves, tides, and current will stretch the webbing over time, and the UV exposure will break it down faster than if it\u2019s stored out of water. Second, they\u2019re not suitable for very large boats\u2014over 30 feet or 10,000 pounds\u2014where dedicated marine winch systems or heavy-duty chain rigs are a better bet. I\u2019ve seen customers try to use two small ratchet straps on a 35-foot cabin cruiser, and they ended up snapping because the load was way beyond the strap\u2019s WLL. Always check the working load limit of your ratchet tie down, and make sure the total WLL of all straps used is at least 1.5 times the weight of your boat\u2014this is a safety standard that many new boat owners miss.<\/p>\n

Another common mistake people make is using too few straps, or attaching them to the wrong parts of the boat. Gunwales, railings, and the thin bow eye of a small skiff are not designed to take the full tension of a ratchet strap\u2014they can crack, bend, or pull right out, leading to the boat shifting or falling off the trailer. The right attachment points are reinforced lifting eyes, transom pads, or the trailer\u2019s own D-rings, which are built to handle the load. I always tell customers to check their boat\u2019s owner manual for recommended securement points before tying anything down, and if they don\u2019t have a manual, look for metal loops that are riveted or bolted to the hull (not just glued on, which is common on plastic boats).<\/p>\n

So, if you\u2019re sold on using ratchet tie downs for your boat, what\u2019s the right way to do it? Let\u2019s walk through a step-by-step guide I\u2019ve developed over the years, one that\u2019s worked for thousands of my customers. First, calculate your boat\u2019s total weight\u2014don\u2019t guess, use its dry weight from the manufacturer, and add 10% for gear, fuel, and passengers. Then, pick marine-grade ratchet tie downs with a combined WLL that\u2019s at least 1.5 times that total weight. For a 18-foot, 3,000-pound fishing boat, that means two 2-inch ratchet straps with a WLL of 5,000 pounds each, or four 1-inch straps with a combined WLL of 4,500 pounds\u2014just to be safe.<\/p>\n

Next, prepare the boat and trailer. Make sure the boat is centered on the trailer, with the trailer\u2019s bow stop pressed against the transom of the boat to prevent forward movement. Attach the straps to the boat\u2019s reinforced points, running them at a 45-degree angle down to the trailer\u2019s side rails or frame\u2014this angle creates the most tension and prevents side-to-side sway. Never run the straps straight up and down, as that can put too much pressure on the boat\u2019s hull and cause it to deform. Once the straps are attached, cinch the ratchet tight, but don\u2019t overdo it\u2014over-tightening can also damage the hull, especially on fiberglass or plastic boats. A good rule of thumb is that you shouldn\u2019t be able to twist the webbing more than 90 degrees with your hand once the strap is cinched.<\/p>\n

Finally, inspect your straps every time you use them. Look for frayed webbing, broken threads, corrosion on the hooks or ratchet mechanism, or any signs of stretching. Even a small fray can lead to a snap at highway speeds, so it\u2019s worth replacing a strap if it shows any wear. Marine straps should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, even if they look fine, because UV and saltwater exposure will break down the webbing over time, even if you don\u2019t use them often.<\/p>\n

As someone who\u2019s spent the last decade supplying ratchet tie downs to boat owners, marina operators, and recreational enthusiasts, I can tell you that this is one of the most common questions I get\u2014and it\u2019s one with a clear, practical answer, as long as you do your homework. Ratchet tie downs aren\u2019t just for moving furniture or lumber; they\u2019re a versatile, reliable tool for securing boats, as long as you pick the right marine-grade products, match their capacity to your boat\u2019s weight, and use them correctly. There\u2019s no need to invest in expensive dedicated marine straps if you\u2019re just hauling a small fishing boat to the lake for a weekend, but skimping on quality or installation is a surefire way to end up with a dangerous situation.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re not sure which ratchet tie downs are right for your boat, or if you need help calculating the right capacity for your haul, our team is here to help. We stock a full range of marine-grade ratchet tie downs in multiple sizes and weight ratings, all tested for saltwater resistance and durability, and we can guide you through the best setup for your specific boat and trailer. Reach out to our team to discuss your securement needs, and we\u2019ll help you find the right solution for your next trip to the ramp or hurricane season preparation.<\/p>\n

Ratchet Tie Down<\/a> References:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC). (2021). Standard H26: Boat Trailering and Transport. ABYC International.<\/li>\n
  2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (2022). Guide to Load Securement for Highway Transportation. U.S. Department of Labor.<\/li>\n
  3. International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). (2020). Marine Securement and Transport Best Practices. IMCA.<\/li>\n
  4. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). (2019). J2198: Performance Requirements for Recreational Boat Trailering Systems. SAE International.<\/li>\n
  5. National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). (2021). Recreational Boat Trailer Securement Guidelines. NMMA.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Shengkun Precision Roll Forming Profiles (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.<\/a>
    As one of the most professional ratchet tie down manufacturers and suppliers in China, we’re featured by quality products and low price. Please rest assured to buy high-grade ratchet tie down made in China here from our factory. Contact us for pricelist and quotation.
    Address: No.3 Workshop Building Lane2665 Yexin Highway Yexie Town Songjiang District Shanghai China
    E-mail: sk@shengkun-rollforming.com
    WebSite:     https:\/\/www.sk-rollforming.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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