The Art of Boat Strapping
Here’s Todd and Spencer after a 5-day steelhead trip down the
Grande Ronde. These guys and Morgan were taking care of camp and river cuisine for some return fishermen we were pleased to see again.
Spencer latched into a nice fish in the run above Sickfoot a secret spot after the boys got camp all packed up that morning. One of the guys landed three steelhead from one run and we took off before everyone got to the takeout, but word is they were into the steelhead above Wildcat Bridge.
Todd's Strapping Philosophy
This Todd Kruger fellow, on the left up there, has taken gearboating to a new level. Lashing down gear on a raft usually means running some equipment straps and cinching them down. Todd’s approach to strapping is reminiscent of the Japanese art of flower arrangement, Ikebana, paying close attention to graceful, elegant form with an emphasis on precise placement.
Here’s a picture of a 12-foot raft Todd prepared for a trip down the Grande Ronde earlier this year. I stopped in my tracks when I saw this piece of art on display in the boathouse. I put my hand on my chin and just drank it in. Then walked around the whole boat nodding, saying ‘yes, yes, I see what he did there. . . magnificent!’
Look at that. The straps mounts appear to have been arranged with a laser level. I imagine he was wearing white butler gloves at the time and playing classical music in the background. Honestly, his strap work is impressive.
The Everyday Strapper
I’m more of the spiderweb-made-by-a-spider-in-a-hurry kind of strapper. My trailer strap mounts are usually tangled with boat seat straps and a rogue TH Marine battery strap.
Todd is so well organized, I’ve considered hiring him to impose some order on my shop at home. My program is to just drop tools when I’m done with them and then look around next time I need them. I noticed some people even draw outlines above their workbench so they know exactly where to hang a tool when they’re done with it.
I compromised by drawing outlines on the floor where I last dropped the tools.
As you can see, getting the tools back in their proper place still doesn’t happen. Also, it took me forever to find that Sharpie marker.
Strapping with Precision
Meanwhile, Todd’s gear always has the perfect holding straps, aligned perfectly with deck straps, complete with a secure bow tie-down strap. He even knows exactly how to use a boat buckle strap without creating a mess. Compared to that, my boat rope tie-down method is pure chaos.
Here’s a nice photo of Morgan and Paul, not Arentsen, another Paul, one of the fishermen on this last supported steelhead trip. We were having what you might call inclimate weather up top in the valley, but these guys got the favorable canyon treatment and reported nice fishing conditions.
Boat Prep Beyond the River
As rafting season winds down, we’ve been thinking about off-season storage and protection. Ever wondered how to shrink-wrap a boat in colder weather? There’s an art to it, just like Todd’s strapping.
Off-Season Protection Tips
For winterizing, folks often ask how to wrap a boat for winter or even how much to shrink-wrap a boat. The good news: it’s easier than you think. Boat wrapping for winter helps protect your raft investment.
Once done, you’ll have shrink wrapped boats ready to store. Just make sure to install anchor point thermal vents to allow airflow under the wrap. This helps prevent moisture buildup as you winterise and shrink-wrap the boat for the season.
Tie It Down Right
To keep everything tight, you’ll want to master tie-down mounts, a reliable bow strap boat, and remember how to tighten straps for long hauls. It matters whether you run your boat winch strap over or under—yep, there’s a right way. Having a proper boat trailer tie-down bracket saves headaches on travel days.
Other Key Additions
Don’t skimp on your boat seat strap system either. And for power setups, the TH Marine battery strap works well depending on your setup.
Wrapping It Up
Whether you're prepping your raft with elegant mounting straps or learning how to use a winch strap, the off-season is a great time to refresh your setup.
Special Report: How To Drive Over Your Expensive Glasses and Break Them
In today’s Handyman Corner segment we’ll explore a proven technique to demolish polarized sunglasses.
First, buy some expensive shades. The kind with glass lenses, not that polycarbonate or whatever. Spare no expense. The glass lenses cost more, but they’re worth it. After all, these are your eyeballs we’re shielding from the sun.
Next you should wear them as eye protection while you’re running a chainsaw out in the woods. Now put on earplugs, the kind that get tangled up in the Croakies holding your expensive sunglasses.
Get pissed off and yank on the earplugs with one hand while holding a running chainsaw in the other. Realize this is not all that safe.
Give a big, exasperated tug, which makes your sunglasses fall off. Throw them off to side, realizing that’s dumb and you should shut the chainsaw off and take care of your expensive sunglasses before you break them somehow, instead of leaving them lying on the ground like that.
Then think, eh.
Finally, back your truck up and drive over the expensive sunglasses. It should look something like this –
As you turn off your truck and set the brake, realize that you probably just drove over your shades.
Get out, confirm that, yes, yes you did.
Weep bitterly, clutching the broken frames in your hand, yelling to the sky, ‘Why? Whyyyyyy?’
Then realize: Oh yeah, you just threw your shades down on the ground and drove over them. That’s why, dummy.
Experience it with Winding Waters
At Winding Waters, we’re passionate about every step of the river life—from expertly placed straps to seasonal prep like how to shrink wrap a boat for winter. Let our whitewater rafting team show you what it means to float in style and confidence. Book your next river trip with the crew that cares from start to stow.
Hear it straight from the river! Read what other rafters had to say about Winding Waters in our Google Business Profile Reviews—your next adventure awaits.
