Eliminating a bunk?

[81 Checkmate]

Getting my trailer ready to put the checkmate on. Finally!

Previous owner had brush painted the trailer??Its Galvanized and they did not prep very well. Paint flaking off.
Started with a wire wheel to get the paint off but thought the pressure washer would work quicker?..Yes paint came right off.

So im fixing to repaint with Sherwin Williams ? Industrial Enamel HS ( White) B54 WZ 401

Anyway my question ? Can I remove these two little bunks up front? Mid trailer??Do I need them for support?
The reason ? I don?t want them to rub off my new paint job!

Here is a picture of the bunks??not so good but you can zoom in a little to see them.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Eliminating a bunk?

Yes you absolutely do need to support the front of the hull

also, paint has no place on a galvanized trailer IMHO If it all came off, count yourself lucky and leave it off

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Eliminating a bunk?

Can't tell so have to ask, is there a keel roller under the bow? If not then I would guess no you need those bunks to support the front of the boat.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Eliminating a bunk?

Yes 2 Keel rollers....... In the pic its not sitting on the front one...I think its the small bunks holding it up off the roller.

What i dont like is the small area of the boat that the boat is sitting on the bunk.....im affraid it will flex and check the paint in that area.

In know...do not paint the trailer... It's mud ugly!......what about cold galvanized spray can to tuch up the surface rusted area's?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Eliminating a bunk?

Are you painting the boat? If the keel is on rollers then the little bunks should not have much weight on them if adjusted right.
Personally I would prefer to see the rear bunks continue forward a few more feet.... It's an odd setup as is

I have used "cold galvanizing paint" to touch up a trailer BUT it doesn't match very well......

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Eliminating a bunk?

Actually looking again... with a couple more bunk brackets you could probably trash ALL of the existing bunks and run new bunks all the way to the front brackets and adjust properly to follow the curve of the hull

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Eliminating a bunk?

Boat is already painted in garage sitten on stands......... 81 Checkmate Restore thread.....I need it on the trailer to wash the inside so i can finish it.

So the little bunks should be adjusted to keep the boat from....say tilting from side to side...not load bearing on the hull?

I dont think its the right trailer for the boat! But its what i have........I can make the back bunks longer for sure.

Ill get some pics tonight without the boat on trailer.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Eliminating a bunk?

Actually looking again... with a couple more bunk brackets you could probably trash ALL of the existing bunks and run new bunks all the way to the front brackets and adjust properly to follow the curve of the hull

This.....

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: Eliminating a bunk?

and where is the bow stop?? i couldnt tell in the pic but looks tobe missing along with winch post.

 

[sphelps]

Re: Eliminating a bunk?

If you want you can paint your galvanized trailer . You just need to prep it the right way. This is how I was told on the restoration forum to prep . Sand or scrape all the old paint /rust /gunk . Give it a good wash with TSP using warm water. Mix a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water and coat it real well . A spray bottle works good for that . Let dry then give it a good wipe down with acetone . Prime it first with self etching primer. Then prime again with a good metal primer. Then shoot it with your enamel paint .
This worked well for me so far but I used an enamel hardener in the paint .
Good luck !

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Eliminating a bunk?

Thanks guy's for the sugestions....

Some more pics!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Eliminating a bunk?

That style trailer uses the Keel rollers to support the weight of the boat.
The bunks are there to stabilize it and keep it from falling over.
That is why the bunks are so small, they are just holding it upright, there's not very much weight on them.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Eliminating a bunk?

Yea i think ill get rid of the small bunks and extend the back bunk.........Add another bunk bracket on third channel towards the front then extend the bunk forward.

Thanks and happy Boating!