benefits of side bunks..... are there really any?

ScottinAZ

ScottinAZ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
831
one of my boats has (had...) side bunks, the other does not. I really dont see much advantage to them, aside from a little better guidance to centering the boat when power loading.... It may be just me, but I dont have a problem centering either boat on its respective trailer...

are there really that many advantages to having the side bunks on a trailer.

I had to cut them off the one trailer, the wife found it near impossible to get onto the boat with them there. She is handicapped with balance and strength issues, so getting in the boat while still on the trailer is much easier and safer for her. I find it much easier to get in myself when working on the boat.... but if there are real tangible benefits, I could always reinstall them just shorter (say mid fender on the dually trailer.... gives plenty to step on behind the bunks)
 
ScottinAZ

ScottinAZ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
831
Scott Danforth said:
Power loading is illegal in many locations

However, the guide bunks help guide the boat on in rough water or cross winds
Click to expand...

Agreed on power loading, hence why I USUALLY dont do it (our lake is up high enough at the moment that erosion is not an issue, there is still another 200 feet of concrete under us at the moment). I pull the boat on manually with lines after walking it on/off the trailer. one of the local ramps makes that impossible though, as the dock is several hundred yards away from the ramp with no way to walk the boat over.... so that limits choices to a run in load, or hope you dont fall on your a$$ getting out to drag it on....

I can see the crosswind component.... we are lucky and our ramp is in a fairly well protected cove... so crosswinds for us arent an issue, and having only 17 feet of fiberglass, we dont go out in rough water... once it starts building up, we head for home.... Ill likely leave the bunks off for now then....

my definition of "power loading" may be a bit off though... I consider anything loaded with the engine running and prop turning to be a powered loading.... There is no revving it up to get it further on the trailer, just enough to get it to where you can step from the bow to the trailer, and hook up the bow eye, and winch it on from there.....
 
aspeck

aspeck

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
18,881
With a current or a crosswind side bunks are super helpful. Most of the areas that I boat power loading is actually recommended by the governing bodies. So, most trailers do have side bunks. I also find the bunks make it easier to get in and out of my boat when it is on the trailer, but that is my boat and set up.
 
dingbat

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,079
Depends on boater's experience, how much deadrise the boat has and whether or not the bunks are set up to to match the profile of the hull.

Having a deep V hull, my trailer is setup as a "drive on" with both target and support bunks. With this setup, the boat pretty much centers itself once you get the bow thru the "goal posts".

Can easily walk the boat on the trailer if need be.
 
J

jitterbug127

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 6, 2023
Messages
605
Friend of mine has them on his trailer. He loves them. Says they really help in current/chop. I don't have them on mine, and I don't see where i'd need them. I'd say probably a boat/trailer specific thing.
 
A

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,083
If you are loading and unloading in a protected area, they may not be needed. Many of us have stiff currents and wind to deal with, so good side guides are a must. If your lucky enough to have a protected launch, be glad, very glad !! Whether hand or drive on, I can load with guides and be out in less than 5 minutes by myself.
 
C

cyclops222

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 21, 2024
Messages
1,305
You now know that different guide ons are available to protect paint on the sides. (y)(y)
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,537
My old trailer had side bunks and new trailer doesn't. I don't miss them as I only launch and retrieve once a year in a very protected area. In a cross wind, they are very useful.
 
M

mike_i

Ensign
Joined
Jun 28, 2017
Messages
942
My trailer has side bunks and I like them. As others have said they help center the boat and helps with a crosswind. I'm only a saltwater guy and haven't heard the term power loading. Is it using the motor to drive the boat onto the trailer? if so why is not allowed in places?
 
ScottinAZ

ScottinAZ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
831
mike_i said:
Thanks, that explains it. All of the ramps here, at least saltwater ramps, are concrete that extends far beyond the length of a large boat and trailer.
Click to expand...
here in the west, we have long ramps that were "originally" intended to go well below water level, however many of our lakes are in a severe drought status, and the "long" ramps are now by and large above water again..... driving on with any power just degrades the dirt at the end of the ramp and folks HAVE gotten trailers stuck in the divots. The more HP you use to drive on with, the worse it gets..... Myself, I either pull on by hand, after walking it off the dock, or if that isnt possible, come in at idle, and cut to neutral as it gets shallow just off the trailer, and let momentum carry me as far on as I can, then I winch it the rest of the way.
 
A

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,083
mike_i said:
My trailer has side bunks and I like them. As others have said they help center the boat and helps with a crosswind. I'm only a saltwater guy and haven't heard the term power loading. Is it using the motor to drive the boat onto the trailer? if so why is not allowed in places?
Click to expand...
Many folks don't know how to do it properly. The engine needs to be tilted up so the prop wash doesn't wash away the end of the ramp and create a drop off. Some places just don't allow it. At age 74 and being by myself most if the time I need to powerload, so I use ramps that allow it. In my area most ramps are fairly shallow making it difficult to float your boat onto your trailer.
 
C

cyclops222

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 21, 2024
Messages
1,305
Bass Boaters DESTROY a lot of boat ramp ends. Watched them WOT a lot as they refused to back their shiny wheels farther into the water. IN fresh water !! No salt !!
 
A

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,083
cyclops222 said:
Bass Boaters DESTROY a lot of boat ramp ends. Watched them WOT a lot as they refused to back their shiny wheels farther into the water. IN fresh water !! No salt !!
Click to expand...
As I stated earlier, most folks don't know the proper way to power load ! If they did, far more ramps would allow it. I guess when you have 250-300 hp or more, you just gotta show it off !!
 
ScottinAZ

ScottinAZ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
831
airshot said:
As I stated earlier, most folks don't know the proper way to power load ! If they did, far more ramps would allow it. I guess when you have 250-300 hp or more, you just gotta show it off !!
Click to expand...

gotta show those pesky party barges with their measly 100 horses who has (and who is) the biggest "D" on the lake.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top