I would definitly install some, just to prevent damage to the mother ship and/or your trailer. If your boat hooks may have been removed for asthetics or may have never even had any. I've also seen guys tie the ass of the boat to the trailer by hooking the trailer then going up and over the drive and back down to the trailer. I don't known if this would add negative deflection to the drive on bumps and other road conditions,but its better than drilling in the transom.My .01, Tyler