Bunk setup -- conflicting info

[marietta_ken]

I know that there are a bazillion threads on the web that address trailer setup. I've looked and looked, but can't find the specific answers I need. I'm counting on you guys to pull through for me here and get some definitive answers.

I bought my 2003 Four Winns 234 Funship boat without a trailer, but got the EZ Loader shown in the pics below. It only has 2 long bunks, not 4 like on the factory Four Winns models. The place I bought the (used) trailer set it up as shown, but I'm pretty sure it's not correct. The boat doesn't self center well at all.

I sent these pics to a guy at EZ Loader. He said I need to move the bunks OUT to just outside of the strake it is currently resting on. Yesterday, however, I went to the local Four Winns dealer and a separate EZ Loader dealer and got conflicting info. They both said they felt the the bunks should be moved IN about 6 inches, which would put the front of the bunks between the two strakes forward on the hull.

I dunno...OUT will lower the boat, but seems like I probably have enough clearance to do so. I can also see that giving good centering along the outside of that one big strake. But, I have some concern about moving too far away from the motor and basically having all that weight suspended between the bunks (vs ON the bunks). A side note, too, is that the tie-down straps won't have a good path to the eyelets at the end of the bunks -- they'll have to cross over the step in the transom.

IN concerns me in that the boat will sit up higher and won't have any support/stability out wide. Also not sure how well it will center.

One thought I've had is that I move them IN and buy a couple of small bunks for the outer support in the aft area.

Thoughts??

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Bunk setup -- conflicting info

I think they need to be moved out and 2 more bunks added. Looks like the forward part of the bunk isn't even making contact.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Bunk setup -- conflicting info

I would try moving bunks to the outsides of the strakes, then going with center keel rollers on bolt-on brackets.

Leave about 1" to 1.5" of room between outside of strake and bunk edge at rear, tapering slightly to maybe 0.5" gap at the fronts.

Use good quality polyurethane rollers, like Stoltz. Have most of the weight resting on the rollers, only a little on the bunks.

You'll get that center support you're looking for, plus good self-centering, plus should make it easier to load and unload with the rollers.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Bunk setup -- conflicting info

What I see is that the hull strakes are not parallel with the keel and so it is good in the back, but lousy in the front.

You could try moving the front mount of the bunks IN so that the front of the bunks catch the hull inside of the strakes. Of course not having your bunks parallel with the keel & trailer frame is less than ideal, but it may work out.

Alternatley, you could move the bunks OUT so that they contact on the outside of the strake, but I think forward contact will still be an issue; it just wont cross the strake.

Probably a set of forward bunks will be needed, as previously mentioned.

 

[Philster]

Re: Bunk setup -- conflicting info

Forward bunks that catch the front/bottom of the V. They will serve as a guide and help with weight distribution.

Front bunks do well to center a V-bottom boat.

 

[rbh]

Re: Bunk setup -- conflicting info

This is what I have done, first get boat sitting as low as you safetly can (you do not want a top heavy trailer when towing) let the bunks cup your hull use the chines as a guide if you can (I see yours are on top of the bunks)

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Bunk setup -- conflicting info

Forward bunks that catch the front/bottom of the V. They will serve as a guide and help with weight distribution.

Front bunks do well to center a V-bottom boat.

View attachment 142026

Can't say it any better

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Bunk setup -- conflicting info

I agree. Keep the rear bunks were they are and move the fronts in closer to the keel. This should center boat if you don't back the trailer in to deep. No need to be adding keel rollers.