I fish Lake Champlain which is a huge lake about 120 miles long and 15 miles wide. Rough water is common and it really does give the boat a beating. I have 1 Velcro strap which passes about 1/3 the way up the shaft from the prop. It is enough to secure my trolling motor. Mine is mounted with motor guide rubber self tapping grommets at 4 places and my boat is 12 years old. This summer the whole thing started to come loose so I took it apart and replaced the grommets and used through bolts, fender washers and locking nuts on the end towards the operator to further secure it. (Only place I could get at the through hull holes). Hope this helps.