Bunks or Rollers?

[sid the squid]

Being new to boating, I've launched and retrieved my new boat 3 times without too much trouble, What are the advantages and disadvantages of bunks and rollers. I have a 21' bayliner with bunks on the trailer.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Bunks or Rollers?

Welcome aboard Sid, You'll get all kinds of mixed feelings on that. Personally I like bunks. Troubles you run into are when you get some side current making your retrieve more difficult. Don't think it would matter what typ trailer ya have then. Experment on what works best for you. Rule of thumb is float off winch on. Get your bunks wet before loading. Good luck

 

[tommays]

Re: Bunks or Rollers?

a lot depends on how the ramps are were you boat <br /><br />in many places you need rollers because the ramps are to shalow<br /><br /><br />i like bunks i feel it supports the boat better but good rollers in the right amount and place should do the same <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[sid the squid]

Re: Bunks or Rollers?

Thanks for the info.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Bunks or Rollers?

Hi Sid,<br /><br />Just a thought.<br /><br />I've got a Whaler, and I have bunks with guide-on rollers. I've just noticed to my horror that one section of the hull is slightly deformed. <br /><br />After a lot of investigation, it turns out that one of the rollers was set too high (or the bunks have settled a bit) and the pressure from this roller has caused the deformation. I can get this deformity out this winter - and I'll set the bunks exactly as I want them. <br /><br />My two cents is this: Bunks spread the load. Rollers concentrate the load in one spot. (How does the camel walk on soft sand when vehicles bog down? - Load-spreading bunks as opposed to rollers!) Fibreglass is flexible and can be deformed with too much localised stress. From now on, it's always bunks for me.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Bunks or Rollers?

SOME boats are designed for bunks. SOME boats are designed for rollers. SOME boats are designed for 100% keel support.<br /><br />Talk to the manufacturer - ask.

 

[RedRangerVIP]

Re: Bunks or Rollers?

Never had roller trailer , but I agree with stillfishing all the way.<br /> I am going to 2x6 bunks on my trailer in the next couple of weeks just because I feel safer with the added support over the 2x4 bunks that I have.<br /> Probably just one of those preference deals , but I like the bunks

 

[milkyway]

Re: Bunks or Rollers?

bunks all the way. no sudden, uncontrolled launching unlike rollers. simple setup, no mechanical parts.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Bunks or Rollers?

To add to the above, I couldn't wait till winter to redo my trailer. I did it yesterday.<br /><br />The two main bunks had settled as I thought. Nearly all the weight of the boat was taken on one keel roller halfway along the hull. This had caused a deformity, which would no doubt have got slowly worse. It was out of the water at planing speeds, so it didn't affect boat handling, but I now have to correct it. This ain't gonna be easy with a Whaler, but it can be done with patience.<br /><br />I jacked up the boat, reset the bunks, and bedded the boat back down, taking real care to get it all right. Now I'm happy, because I know that the weight is where it should be - spread evenly over the whole hull.<br /><br />I also lay under several boats on trailers with rollers, and I noticed that one or two of them had slight depressions where a roller was taking the load. It strikes me that adjusting rollers evenly and keeping them that way as both the rollers and the spindles wear is a forgotten task.<br /><br />I'm sold on bunks.

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: Bunks or Rollers?

I'm a bunk man myself (in fact I can't get out of my bunk most mornings!).<br />Bunks spread the load evenly, simple as that.