Boat hull latching device having positive retention means

A boat latching device for securing the hull of a boat to a trailer having a bow stop bar mounted thereon, said boat latching device comprising:

• a latch-catch member having a substantially U-shape to form a recess for receiving said bow stop bar, said latch-catch member having a first end and a second end, the first end of said latch-catch member being mounted to the hull of said boat;
• an overcenter pawl member having camming surfaces and an overcenter portion, said pawl member being pivotally mounted to said second end of said latch-catch member for movement between a locking position in which said pawl member retains said bow stop bar within said recess and an unlocking position in which said pawl member permits the release of said bow stop bar from said recess, said camming surfaces comprising a locking cam surface on one side of said overcenter portion and an unlocking cam surface on another side of said overcenter portion;
• and
• resilient spring means mounted on said latch-catch member, said resilient spring means pressing against said locking cam surface when said pawl member is in said locking position for holding said pawl member in said locking position and pressing against said unlocking cam surface when said pawl member is in said unlocking position for holding said pawl member in said unlocking position.