15 Best Boat Tie Down Straps for Safe Trailering in NZ 2025

These are the 15 most reliable, readily available straps Kiwi boaties can buy in 2025 to keep their boats secure on NZ’s sometimes-gnarly roads. Whether you’re nipping up SH1 to Whangārei or dragging a hard-top over the Haast Pass, decent tie-downs do more than stop the hull shuffling: they tick the NZTA load-restraint box, keep your insurer onside, and spare the gel-coat a lifetime of hairline cracks.

To decide what’s “best” this year we stacked more than 40 models from Burnsco, Marine-Deals, Action Outdoors and others side-by-side, checked every AS/NZS 4380 tag, and quizzed skippers who tow weekly. The winners combine a Working Load Limit that matches at least half your boat’s wet weight, UV-proof webbing that won’t go brittle by Easter, and hardware that laughs off salt spray. Wondering how many straps the regs actually demand, whether transom and bow tie-downs are both compulsory, or what length and width suit a 6 m aluminium runabout? Those quick answers sit beside each pick below—so you can load up, lock down, and hit the road with confidence.

1. Aerofast Ratchet Tie Down – Heavy Duty Over Boat 1400 kg

If you ask half a dozen Kiwi skippers to name a strap brand they trust, Aerofast usually pops up first—and for good reason. The Canterbury outfit has been weaving load restraints since the 1980s, and the 2025 heavy-duty over-boat model is their flagship. It’s designed to cinch a hull to the trailer in one clean sweep, replacing two or three narrower straps and cutting ramp time in half.

Key specifications & certification

• 50 mm UV-stabilised polyester webbing, 5.5 m long
• Working Load Limit: 700 kg (break strength 1,400 kg)
• Zinc-plated double-J hooks and beefy ratchet with rubberised handle
• AS/NZS 4380 compliance tag stitched into the tail

Why it tops the 2025 list

Aerofast upped the ante this year with UV-resistant stitching that won’t powder after a summer parked at the bach. The broad 50 mm webbing spreads clamp pressure, so your gel-coat doesn’t end up with “pinch” bruises after corrugated-road missions to the Far North. A glove-friendly rubber sleeve on the ratchet handle means you can still crank down tight during frosty pre-dawn launches at Gulf Harbour.

Ideal use cases

• 5–7 m GRP or aluminium trailer boats weighing up to ~1,400 kg wet
• One-strap solution for skippers who already run a pair of transom ties (NZTA still expects at least two points of restraint at the stern)
• Regular motorway hauls Auckland ↔ Coromandel where 100 km/h airflow can work lesser straps loose

Potential downsides

• The chunky ratchet and 50 mm webbing roll take up more locker space than slimmer options—overkill for a 12-footer.
• Requires two hands (and occasionally a mate) to thread over hard-tops higher than 2.4 m.

2. Trojan Transom Tie Down Straps 200 × 45 mm (Pair)

A lot of boaties already trust Trojan for hubs and jockey wheels; their transom straps deserve the same cred. Sized specifically for the stern, this matched pair locks the boat’s aft quarters to the trailer chassis, stopping that annoying pogo-stick bounce you feel when the road turns corrugated. Because the webbing is shorter and pre-threaded, they’re quicker to deploy than a generic ratchet and far less fiddly when you’re holding up ramp traffic at Westhaven. If you’re upgrading worn-out boat tie down straps but don’t need a mega-tonne over-hull set-up, these hit the sweet spot.

Key specifications & certification

• 45 mm UV-treated polyester webbing, 1.2 m long
• Working Load Limit: 400 kg each (800 kg per pair)
• Stainless cam-lock buckle with positive teeth
• Neoprene hull pad and vinyl-coated S-hooks
• AS/NZS 4380 compliance label stitched to tail

Stand-out features for Kiwi trailers

• Fixed-length design means no loose tag ends flapping in the Cook Strait cross-wind
• Stainless hardware shrugs off Hauraki Gulf salt spray; no rusty streaks down the transom
• Low-profile cam sits clear of boarding ladders and trim tabs

Best for

• 4–6 m cuddy cabins, runabouts, and pontoon boats with standard transom eyes
• Weekend warriors who want ramp prep under 30 seconds

Watch-outs

• Limited adjustment range if your trailer rollers sit unusually high or you’ve fitted a pod extension
• Cam buckle needs an occasional freshwater rinse to keep grit out of the teeth

3. BoatBuckle G2 Retractable Ratchet Transom Tie-Down

If you’re sick of trailing metres of soggy webbing across the ramp, the BoatBuckle G2 will feel like magic. The strap lives on a spring-loaded reel bolted to the trailer, so you simply pull, hook, ratchet, and it spools itself away when you’re done. No knots, no tangles—just fast, tidy security for the stern.

Key specifications & certification

• 50 mm polyester webbing self-retracts to a powder-coated steel housing
• Extends to 1.1 m; break strength 1,800 kg (WLL 600 kg)
• Dual-release ratchet lever for one-handed tensioning
• Supplied with zinc-chromate mounting bolts and backing plates
• AS/NZS 4380 compliance tag stitched into webbing

Why Kiwi boaties love it

• One-hand operation frees the other for the bow winch rope—ideal on busy summer mornings at Kawakawa Bay
• No loose strap ends flapping paint off the outboard or chafing the hull gel-coat
• Internal spring is coated to resist salt corrosion, extending service life compared with ordinary boat tie down straps

Compatibility tips

• Reel bolts directly to the trailer’s rear cross-member; check there’s at least 75 mm of flat steel to seat the backing plate
• Upgrade to 316 stainless bolts if you park the trailer in tidal zones

Drawbacks

• Up-front cost sits north of many conventional pairs
• Permanent mounting means the strap travels through every launch—rinse religiously to prevent salt build-up inside the housing

4. Aerofast Jet Ski / PWC 3-Hook Tie Down 25 mm × 2.5 m

Small watercraft still need serious security. Aerofast’s 3-hook PWC tie-down forms a stable triangular harness that locks a ski to its trailer without scuffing the topside. At 25 mm wide it threads through tight cleats yet uses the same UV-treated yarn found in full-size boat tie down straps.

Specs & safety rating

• 25 mm UV-stabilised polyester webbing, 2.5 m overall
• Working Load Limit: 250 kg (break strength 500 kg)
• Tri-hook harness with zinc-plated snap hooks
• AS/NZS 4380 compliance tag for roadside checks

Features that matter in NZ

• Compact ratchet nests inside a ski seat bin—no wet webbing in foot-wells
• Bright safety-orange webbing is easy to spot during dawn strap checks at Lake Taupō
• Velcro keeper stops loose tail whipping gel-coat on windy hauls

Perfect for

• Jet skis, lightweight RIBs and small inflatables under 450 kg
• Boaties beach-launching at Papamoa who need lightning-fast on/off

Limitations

• Not sized for hulls over 450 kg or beams wider than 1.4 m
• Zero elasticity; pair with a secondary transom strap on long gravel legs

5. Rhino-Rack 4 m Cam Buckle Tie Down Strap (Pair)

If you already own a Rhino-Rack roof system for boards or kayaks, these 4 m cam-buckle straps slot straight into your gear drawer and double as no-fuss boat tie down straps when you’re towing the dinghy or lashing a console cover for the drive home. The simple cam design means there’s nothing to rust or jam—just feed, pull, and you’re done.

Key specifications

• 25 mm UV-treated polyester webbing, 4 m long
• Working Load Limit: 400 kg per pair (break 800 kg)
• Rubber-guarded alloy cam buckle prevents hull scratches
• Elastic tail loop for tidy storage
• Conforms to AS/NZS 4380

Why it’s on the list

Lightweight, non-ratcheting straps give you enough tension for small to mid-size hulls without the risk of over-cranking thin topsides. They also moonlight for SUPs, camping gear, or mast sections—handy on multi-sport weekends.

Practical examples

• Cinch a canvas road-cover on a 5 m centre-console
• Strap two fishing kayaks alongside the main boat for a Coromandel mission

Cautions

• Manual pull-tight system delivers limited leverage; switch to a ratchet for hulls over 800 kg wet weight
• Check buckle seating each fuel stop—cam teeth can loosen if webbing gets sandy.

6. BLA Flat Shockcord Straps 25 mm

When your road to the boat ramp looks more like a farm track, a bit of give in the tie-downs can save the paint job. BLA’s flat shockcord straps build controlled stretch into the webbing, so the load stays snug even as the trailer and hull bounce out of sync.

Key details

• 25 mm elasticated polyester webbing with flat profile
• Stainless over-centre buckle and vinyl-coated S-hooks
• Working Load Limit 150 kg (break 300 kg)
• AS/NZS 4380 tag sewn into tail

Unique selling points

• Shock-cord weave expands up to 20 %, automatically re-tensioning after every pothole
• Flat webbing sits flush against gel-coat, reducing point-load bruising
• Stainless buckle laughs at salt spray, perfect for year-round Tauranga use

Use scenarios

• Securing cockpit storm covers or bait boards on 4–5 m tinnies
• Holding a 6 hp auxiliary outboard to the transom during gravel-road missions to Lake Rotoiti
• Acting as a secondary strap over chilly-bin lids or live-bait tank hatches

Not so good for

• Offshore hard-tops or any hull tipping the scales past 700 kg—elastic rebound can’t match a stiff ratchet strap
• Long motorway stints where constant airflow may “trampoline” lighter loads if not paired with a rigid tie-down

7. WiseLift Over-Centre Quick-Release Tie Downs 1,200 kg

Looking for ratchet-level clamping force without the faff of a spinning handle? WiseLift’s over-centre design locks solid with one decisive flick, then pops open just as quickly at the ramp. Rated to a 1,200 kg break strain (WLL 600 kg each), the pair delivers serious grunt but still packs flat in a side pocket—ideal when locker space is already crammed with sea anchors and dive bottles.

Specifications

• 38 mm UV-stabilised polyester webbing, 4 m length
• Vinyl-coated S-hooks, 8 mm wire gauge
• Anodised alloy over-centre buckle
• AS/NZS 4380 certified tag stitched near buckle

2025 upgrades

• New anodised alloy buckle sheds 90 g per strap and won’t rust after months at Houhora
• Hi-vis tracer thread glows under a head-torch for night checks

Best suited to

• Alloy pontoon or fibreglass cuddy boats 5–7 m
• Commercial operators and charter skippers chasing rapid launch/haul turnarounds

Possible negatives

• Over-centre lever can pinch bare fingers; gloves recommended
• No built-in tail keeper—secure excess webbing with a half-hitch to stop flap at 100 km/h

8. Aerofast Wheel Ratchet Strap 2 T

Not every journey is a straight shot to the local ramp. When your trailer has to ride a Cook Strait ferry or sit on a roll-on transporter, locking the wheels as well as the hull keeps insurance assessors happy. Aerofast’s 2-tonne wheel straps loop over each tyre and crank tight to the trailer deck, preventing sideways shuffle when a swell or hard brake jolts the load.

Key specs

• 50 mm UV-stabilised polyester webbing
• Tyre-loop design with abrasion sleeve
• Working Load Limit: 2 t (break 4 t)
• Supplied as a four-piece kit with long-handle ratchets

Why consider for boats?

By tying the trailer to itself you create a second load path; even if a transom strap fails, the rig stays planted. Many transport companies now insist on wheel restraints for over-6 m boats crossing Cook Strait or heading to dry-stack yards.

Implementation tips

• Fit one strap per wheel, crossing the webbing behind the tyre tread.
• Pair with high-rating transom and bow straps for hulls exceeding 2 t wet.

Downsides

• Adds a few extra minutes to ramp prep.
• Total overkill for 4-m tinnies doing suburban runs.

9. Handi-Boat Over-Hull Tie Down 38 mm × 6 m

Handi-Boat’s over-hull tie-down is a single, 6 m leash that wraps the hull beam-to-beam, then locks tight via a mid-strap ratchet – brilliant when the trailer lacks convenient anchor points.

Specifications

• 38 mm UV-stabilised polyester webbing, 6 m length
• Working Load Limit 600 kg (break 1,200 kg)
• Zinc-plated long-handle ratchet with sliding PVC wear sleeve

Stand-out features

Because the ratchet sits on the gunwale, tension spreads evenly across cabin roofs and alloy coamings, slicing the risk of gel-coat bruise rings and stress cracks on rough Kaikōura highways.

Best for

• Long-distance hauls Christchurch ↔ Marlborough Sounds or Bluff
• Hard-top cruisers and trailer launches 6–8 m with wide beams

Drawbacks

• Two-person setup makes solo winter launches fiddly
• Sliding sleeve must stay centred to avoid scuff lines

10. Dunbier Deluxe Transom Tie Downs

Australian trailer giant Dunbier supplies many of the hulls seen on Kiwi roads, so it’s no surprise their purpose-built transom ties slot neatly into NZ trailers. Pre-cut to stern length, the pair clicks on with a carabiner rather than an S-hook, saving frozen fingers at misty South Island ramps and stopping accidental un-hooks when you hit corrugations.

Key specifications & certification

• 45 mm UV-treated polyester webbing, 1.3 m long
• Working Load Limit: 500 kg each (1,000 kg per pair)
• 316-stainless carabiner hooks with safety gate
• Neoprene backing pad protects paint and gel-coat
• AS/NZS 4380 rated tag stitched into tail

What Kiwi trailerers love

• Carabiner shuts positively—no chance of pop-off on Lewis Pass bends
• Neoprene pad doubles as skid buffer against trim tabs
• Webbing colour matches many Dunbier trailer winch straps for a tidy look

Ideal for

• Aluminium runabouts, cuddy cabins and centre consoles up to 6 m
• Owners who tow long distances and want a “clip-once, cinch-once” routine

Downsides

• Premium import pricing versus local Aerofast equivalents
• Limited stock in some provincial chandlers—buy a spare pair if touring

11. Triton Marina Stainless Ratchet Straps 50 mm

Blue-water rigs need tie-downs that shrug off salt. Triton Marina’s stainless ratchet set suits boats stored metres from the tide line or making weekly island runs.

Specs

• 50 mm marine-polyester webbing, 4.5 m long
• 316 stainless ratchet & axle—zero mild steel
• Vinyl-dipped double-J hooks, break 1,600 kg (WLL 800 kg)
• AS/NZS 4380 certified

Salt-proof credentials

Full 316 hardware means no rust bloom, even when the trailer lives in a Coromandel yard. Teeth stay smooth and stain-free after seasons of salt fog.

Ideal user

• Offshore plate boats 6–8 m
• Charter operators who only rinse gear once
• Skippers crossing Maraetai causeways daily

Cons

• 316 hardware heavy—adds ≈800 g per strap
• Higher price; overkill for inland runabouts

12. WDK Waterproof Cam Straps 25 mm

Salt, sand and mud are the sworn enemies of most boat tie down straps; WDK’s waterproof cams laugh them off. A thin TPU skin seals every fibre of the webbing, so grime can’t soak in and rot the yarn. Dunk them in a fish bin, hose them off at the ramp, they’re good as new—perfect for quick beach launches on the Kaipara where everything ends up gritty.

Key features

• 25 mm TPU-coated polyester webbing that floats
• 2 m length, rolled and stitched tail keeper
• Glass-reinforced nylon cam buckle won’t corrode
• Working Load Limit 300 kg, AS/NZS 4380 tagged

NZ use advantages

The slick coating sheds Manukau mud and East Cape pumice in seconds, so you’re not loading a sandy strap into the cabin. It also reduces water wicking, meaning no mildew smell after winter storage.

Limitations

• Cam mechanism relies on hand tension—add a secondary strap for hulls over 350 kg
• TPU layer can get slippery with sunscreen; pull the webbing tight before you chuck the keys in the ute

13. YachtMaster Elastic Transom Ties with Stainless Hooks

Trailer-rattling corrugations can shake rigid restraints loose; YachtMaster’s elastic transom ties add controlled stretch to stainless-hook security, keeping mid-size hulls clamped without bruising the gel-coat.

Specifications

• Hybrid elastic-polyester 30 mm webbing, stretches 1–1.5 m
• 316-stainless snap hooks plus low-profile cam buckle
• Working Load Limit 200 kg (break 400 kg)
• AS/NZS 4380 compliance tag stitched near buckle

Unique angle

Shock-absorbing weave smooths jolts on gravel legs from Taupō to Twizel, and the constant spring tension stops motorway vibration backing off the clamp—something standard boat tie down straps often struggle with.

Who should buy

• Alloy or fibreglass tinnies under 500 kg
• Lake anglers towing down forestry roads to secluded ramps
• Fresh-water users wanting rust-proof, soft-edge restraints

Watch-outs

• Elastic fibres fatigue; budget on replacement every two to three seasons
• Limited stretch range can be awkward on deep-V hulls with tall swim pods

14. Supreme Lashing 50 mm Heavy Duty Ratchet Set 2,500 kg

When you’re shifting a launch the size of a small bach, ordinary boat tie down straps simply don’t cut it. Supreme Lashing’s 50 mm set is aimed squarely at commercial hauliers, boatbuilders and hard-core owners who trailer five-figure loads. Rated to a massive 2,500 kg Working Load Limit, it satisfies both NZTA heavy-transport rules and the risk-averse requirements of marine insurers. The long-handle ratchet delivers brutal leverage without resorting to cheater bars, yet the forged pawl clicks in cleanly so you can feather tension rather than crush gunwales.

Key specs

• 50 mm marine-polyester webbing, 9 m long
• Working Load Limit: 2,500 kg (break strength 5,000 kg)
• Extra-long ergonomic ratchet with knurled, rubber-dipped grip
• Grade 70 zinc-plated chain tails + clevis grab hooks
• AS/NZS 4380 & EN 12195-2 dual certification

Why it made the list

• Meets commercial transport regs for haul-outs, race-boat relocations and dealer deliveries
• Chain tails let you hook directly into D-rings or trailer chassis eyes—no webbing abrasion points
• High-visibility yellow web keeps traffic-wardens and ferry crew happy during spot checks

Best for

• 7–9 m hard-tops on tri-axle trailers
• Professional boat movers crossing Cook Strait or running Auckland-Queenstown delivery routes
• Yard storage where straps stay on for weeks

Drawbacks

• Nine metres of 50 mm webbing is heavy and bulky; you’ll want dedicated strap bins
• Over-spec’d (and overpriced) for the average 6 m runabout
• Chain ends can chip paint if you rush—use rubber guards or a rag buffer

15. ErgoGrip 25 mm Kayak & Small Boat Strap with Rubber Guards

Light craft deserve gentle hardware, and ErgoGrip’s slim 25 mm cam strap is designed exactly for varnished dinghies, cedar strip kayaks and carbon surf skis.

Specifications

• 25 mm UV-treated polyester webbing, 3 m long
• Glass-filled nylon cam with silicone-rubber bumper
• Working Load Limit: 200 kg (break 400 kg)
• AS/NZS 4380 tag stitched into tail

Benefits for Kiwi paddlers

The soft rubber guard cups the buckle, so even if the strap whips in a Wellington cross-wind it can’t dent brightwork or scratch clear-coat. Low-friction webbing threads easily when your fingers are numb after a winter paddle.

Scenarios

• Lashing a dinghy upside-down on cabin roof bars
• Securing a pair of fishing kayaks beside the main boat on a tandem trailer
• Strapping spars or outriggers to an alloy centre-console for the Coromandel run

Potential downsides

Hand-pulled cam tension tops out quickly; for hulls over 350 kg add a secondary ratchet strap. Silicone bumper can trap sand—rinse after beach launches.

Key Takeaways for Stress-Free Towing

A decent set of boat tie down straps costs peanuts compared with a damaged hull—or the fine for an unsecured load. Keep these quick rules in mind and every trip from Northland to Bluff will feel a whole lot calmer.

• Match the strap’s Working Load Limit (WLL) to at least half your boat’s wet weight; overspec if you cart extra fuel or dive bottles.
• Refuse anything without an AS/NZS 4380 tag—it’s your roadside proof of compliance.
• Favour stainless or zinc-plated hardware and give every strap a freshwater rinse after launch; salt is silent murder.
• Minimum practice: one bow point and two stern straps. Add an over-hull or wheel set once the rig tops 6 m or hits the Cook Strait ferry.
• Size matters: 25 mm webbing is fine below 500 kg, jump to 38–50 mm for bigger rigs; allow at least a metre of spare length for comfortable threading.
• Stop after the first 10 km to re-check tension, then every fuel break.
• Retire frayed, fuzzy or UV-bleached webbing immediately—insurance assessors notice.

Need fresh, certified gear? Browse the full range at Action Outdoors and tow with confidence.