Ideas for a hidden bow loop??

[roadkill636]

Every boat has a bow loop sticking out the front and i dont like it except for when its being used on the trailer. Im looking for ideas for one that isnt seen once off the trailer. I know its something piddly but im thinking of ideas for something that retracts flush when not in use. Iv seen the retractable cleets and dont really care for even that much sticking out... is there something out there already?

[TooStroked]

It's actually called a "D-ring." If you want something that doesn't stick out, you might want to look at what Jet Skis use. One big caution though. They're probably not rated for nearly the pull.

[XstreamVking]

The guys that tow their boats behind yachts use a side to side hole in the bow of the boat. You make the area solid glass and hole saw thru using a 1'' saw. Attach using a big shackle.....Have done a few and it's not as big of a deal as it sounds.

[home made tunnel]

another option is just get rid of it all together - and use your bow cleat to hold the boat?

[roadkill636]

Aint got any cleets. Im wanting the "shaved" look

[nitro_rat]

I have found this to be one area where form follows function. One of the billet ski doohickeys might be made to work, but I can’t see it being nearly as functional.

[flabum1017]

Just to start a think tank............Find a canvas shop and see if they can make a webbed "muzzle" that will fit the nose of the bow when it's on the trailer. It will have to be very strong to equal a bow eye. I don't even know if it would be road legal either, but just an idea. The muzzle can be tied down to the frame of the trailer using strap ratchets and have two set of straps for the back of the boat, one to hold it down and figure out a way to keep it from sliding backwards. If you have transom rings (which I assume you don't want), you can strap forward from them or if you don't, a long strap wrapped around the transom with the trim rams on the engine holding the strap up might work...............

[Noah Burns]

Only issue I see about the "muzzle" would be the boat having the ability to slide backwards, otherwise I like that idea kinda.

[home made tunnel]

Only issue I see about the "muzzle" would be the boat having the ability to slide backwards, otherwise I like that idea kinda.

Simple fix for that - just load the boat backwards on the trailer !!!

[flabum1017]

Only issue I see about the "muzzle" would be the boat having the ability to slide backwards, otherwise I like that idea kinda.

Yeah, would have to figure a transom strap to hold it from sliding back, maybe one that has muzzles for the aft top corners...... then figure out hot to keep it snug against bow stop while pulling it out of the water. Could follow it out with the engine, but would take two people to get it out...........

[Noah Burns]

sounds like way way way more trouble than it's worth! I'll buy the D ring if you'll just install it!

[flabum1017]

Simple fix for that - just load the boat backwards on the trailer !!!

There's definitely a way to do it, just have to think it out

[flabum1017]

long strap around back of boat with trim rams holding strap up anchored to trailer and one holding back of boat down............

[flabum1017]

sounds like way way way more trouble than it's worth! I'll buy the D ring if you'll just install it!

me too

[flabum1017]

sounds like way way way more trouble than it's worth! I'll buy the D ring if you'll just install it!

I had a customer that would drive from California to here (Florida) and back every year. He had a 4wd big block Chevy Suburban towing a travel trailer with a 25' boat behind the travel trailer and a 16' Boston Whaler on the roof of the truck with a set up where he could load and unload the Whaler by himself. Everything about the setup was complicated, but it worked.... he did this for 35 years until he died in his sleep a few years ago.