Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

[bassboy1]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

I have a buddy who put those on his 12' Alumacraft. While I haven't seen them yet (we always fish out of my boat) he is happy with them. About as happy as I am with my homemade version of those. Install your regular bunkboard, then use the 3/8 thickness white plastic cutting boards you get at Wallyworld on top. Rip them to width, and attach them with stainless countersunk screws. Much cheaper, with the same ultimate result IMHO.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

I was thinking about buying one board, rip it in half and attach to regular pressure treated 2x4. Half the price. Same slipperiness.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

I just ordered a set of E-Z Slide Trailer Pads from Cabelas. It sounds like the Wally World cutting board idea. I should get them in a week or two. I'll let you guys know how they work. They'll be going on my trailer for a 16' Lund v-hull.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat21382&id=0001919010239a&navCount=5&podId=0001919&parentId=cat21382&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21382&hasJS=true

 

[DJ]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

I prefer to buy from iboats, the folks that support this site.

See link below.

http://www.iboats.com/Tie_Down_Engi...33551117--**********.455007244--view_id.40442

 

[Mark42]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

I prefer to buy from iboats, the folks that support this site.

See link below.

http://www.iboats.com/Tie_Down_Engi...33551117--**********.455007244--view_id.40442

DJ, I agree that links to products on compeditors sites that iboats carries is not being thoughtful, to say the least.

But the ultimate bunk boards is a product that iboats does not carry. Maybe you can take it up with administration at your end to see if its product they want offer to their customers? Seems to be some interest at this end.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

DJ, I agree that links to products on compeditors sites that iboats carries is not being thoughtful, to say the least.

But the ultimate bunk boards is a product that iboats does not carry. Maybe you can take it up with administration at your end to see if its product they want offer to their customers? Seems to be some interest at this end.

I'm sorry that I linked to competitor's product. I didn't feel that bringing that product up was rude in any way to Iboats. I have (2) 5' bunks on my trailer. The Iboat sliders would have given me over 13' at $20 more. That doesn't sound like it would work real well.

On second thought, I'm not sorry I posted a competitor's link. Look at their website and see how Iboats can improve their product site. It's nice to have product reviews and testimonials.

I also thought this was a boating forum and not an Iboats product forum. A question was asked as to what works and I put my $.02 in. If need be, I'll stop using the forum so that I can buy the correct products for my application. If you look on just about any online forum, there are always product questions and reviews. Some sponsor and others don't sponsor the site but it's also a good barometer to see what the forum folks would like to see.

 

[QC]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

Clark,

Just a year ago no direct links were allowed here period. I agree if they are not available here then it is somewhat different, but rest assured this forum is a component to the iboats biz, not the other way around . . .

 

[Mark42]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

I'm sorry that I linked to competitor's product. I didn't feel that bringing that product up was rude in any way to Iboats. I have (2) 5' bunks on my trailer. The Iboat sliders would have given me over 13' at $20 more. That doesn't sound like it would work real well.

On second thought, I'm not sorry I posted a competitor's link. Look at their website and see how Iboats can improve their product site. It's nice to have product reviews and testimonials.

I also thought this was a boating forum and not an Iboats product forum. A question was asked as to what works and I put my $.02 in. If need be, I'll stop using the forum so that I can buy the correct products for my application. If you look on just about any online forum, there are always product questions and reviews. Some sponsor and others don't sponsor the site but it's also a good barometer to see what the forum folks would like to see.

I have linked in photos of competators products in my posts, just not link directly to the web page. Its not the end of the earth, I just know that they are a little touchy (and understandably so) about spending big bucks on a forum and then have buyers directed to another site.

Remember that iboats is not as big an outfit as you migh imagine, so every customer counts. They don't have stores, they don't have commercials on TV, and I'm sure a large portion of their sales are generated by people coming to these forums for help and finding what they need in the boat store.

Just something to think about before you get your knickers in a twist.

 

[GR8_Outdoorsman]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

Another quick update....

I had a few minutes so I decided to install the side guide boards. Installation was quick and easy. I also decided to upgrade to galvanized carriage bolts instead of the lag screws that were originally used. No problems drilling and counter sinking the bolts.

While I had the saw out, I went ahead and cut the main runners to size. Also, I took a sander and rounded off the edges to help minimize the chance of hanging a rivet. The boards shaped easily, just like wood.

I like the looks of them so far, but am looking forward to the functionality when I get the main boards bolted on. The thought of a lifetime warranty and no more carpet are certainly pluses.

It may be this weekend before I can complete the install. I will try to post some pics when complete.

 

[lazydawg]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

I bought a used boat with a set of these already installed on the trailer. I can't comment on installation but I have been very pleased with them as far as use and durability. I have a 17' fiberglass bass boat with a white bottom and they do not mark or scratch the boat. I am not sure when they were installed but I have had the boat for a couple of years and they show almost no sign of wear.

A word of warning for loading and unloading, they are very slick compared to carpeted bunks. I don't recommend unhooking the front strap until you are backed all the way into the water. Also, when driving back onto the trailer it doesn't take a lot of power to slide on the trailer. I think both of those are positives but you definitely have to get used to them.

 

[GR8_Outdoorsman]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

I bought a used boat with a set of these already installed on the trailer. I can't comment on installation but I have been very pleased with them as far as use and durability. I have a 17' fiberglass bass boat with a white bottom and they do not mark or scratch the boat. I am not sure when they were installed but I have had the boat for a couple of years and they show almost no sign of wear.

A word of warning for loading and unloading, they are very slick compared to carpeted bunks. I don't recommend unhooking the front strap until you are backed all the way into the water. Also, when driving back onto the trailer it doesn't take a lot of power to slide on the trailer. I think both of those are positives but you definitely have to get used to them.

Lazydawg, thanks for the additional info. Do you have the black boards or the light grey? Also, do you see any signs of fading?

Thanks!

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

What do you guys think about putting these on a trailer that hauls a 4000lb fiberglass V haul runabout. I ask because all the other "ez slider" bunk products don't recommend using with a fiberglass boat over 1500lbs...
I sent then an email asking the same question, but they never answered.

 

[lazydawg]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

I have the black ones and there is no sign of fading.

Tahoe 55 I am not sure about a weight limit, that is something I will leave to the experts.

 

[GR8_Outdoorsman]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

What do you guys think about putting these on a trailer that hauls a 4000lb fiberglass V haul runabout. I ask because all the other "ez slider" bunk products don't recommend using with a fiberglass boat over 1500lbs...
I sent then an email asking the same question, but they never answered.

I don't know why they would be any different, but like lazydawg suggested it would probably be best to get official word back from the mfr.

 

[goldhunter_2]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

well I am a little late to this discussion and can't say witch manufacturer is better etc etc etc but maybe this will be used info

Home depot composite boards first they only carry them in the 1" thick deck boards I like to use them on airboat trailers but I personally would never put on a regular boat trailer that goes in the water all the time.

ultimate bunk boards --- I have a set on a small trailer I use for 12 and 16' duck boats during the winter and single jet skis during the summer I love them ! no wood to mess with no carpet to screw with the boat and ski slide one and off the trailer supper easy and I never have to worry about replacing them. the only down side I see is the cost! I am converting a aluminum boat trailer into a four place jetski trailer right now and really considering buying more of these boards but the price is almost the same as buying roller bunks for me (four 16' bunk boards)

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

Good to hear from someone that actually used them.

The cost pretty much puts them out of range for most people, and for most, if done right with PT wood, a set of bunks will last 10+ years. I've got one set that's over 20 now and in good shape. I just recarpeted one trailer from 1986 with it's original wood, no rot, no damage, so I just recovered them.

I did do one for a buddy who had an aluminum trailer and a 16' skiff, he bought aluminum tubing, which was very nearly identical in size to a 2x6 plank, we bonded those plastic or nylon bunk covers to the aluminum bunks. I suppose that rig will outlast us all.

My only concern is that if the plastic was to shatter or chip away years down the road, and it didn't get noticed, you could have metal to glass contact but those covers were cheap, only about $30 for the pair I believe, (if the price tags stuck to them were correct).

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

I have just ordered 3" x 64' of 1/2" thick UHMW (cutting board material from the manufacturer) which comes to a total 262.00 plus 7% tax cut to my request.

After all is said and done the total cost will be just under the $300 mark.
- 4- 16' long 2/4"
- paint
- galvinized bolts
- UHMW

The way I see it is what I have would easily do 3 if not 4 runabout boat trailers for $300.

That would work out to $75 a trailer and outlast all the trailer, boat and owner/owners.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

Just an FYI... I noticed that the 1985 Escort trailer I use still has the original bunks on it. A few days ago after parking the trailer at the launch, I checked out the bunks. I was surprised to see they are pressure treated 2x4 and what appears to be black polypropylene outdoor carpet. The PT wood appears to be original from the fasteners used and the counter sinking of the bolts.

The carpet is not the slipperiest stuff around, but as long as its wet, I can still crank up the boat a few inches snug to the bow stop even after pulling out of the water (this is the Bayliner).

It is nice to see a 25 year old trailer still has solid bunks because the manufacturer used quality pressure treated lumber. So even if you can't afford some of these high tech bunk coverings, if your bunks are rotting, spend the few extra dollars and buy the pressure treated 2x4's. Their good for 20 years or so.

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

Lag bolts don't belong on bunks. The wood gets wet and swells; then it dries out and shrinks. Because the lag bolts are in the underside of the bunks, they fall out. Some idiot who owned the boat before me did lag bolts and split the bunks 'cause he didnt drill large enough holes. New bunks and countersunk carriage bolts fixed everything. I have a pontoon and counting the guides, it takes 10 bunks!

 

[Daley]

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Ultimate Bunk Board?

Just a quick, silly question (and hopefully this isn't thread-jacking) - how do you get the boat off/on the trailer to do the necessary repairs? I realize that the size and weight of the boat is going to dictate this to some degree, but I'm just curious about the process of doing this without actually launching/retrieving the boat. Then, once it's off, what does it sit on? Only thing I can think of is to build a temporary bunk for it while the trailer work is getting done.