Shore station bunks

[Bob McSmith]

Just got a new fishing boat- 1993 Sylvan, 16' aluminum V hull, side console, 50 hp. I need to make new bunks for the shore station. I've heard two different opinions on how to support the boat. The first said to use 2 bunks perpendicular to the boat near the bow and stern. The other is to use bunks that run parallel to the boat. What is the correct way to support this boat? Where should the bunks be located on the boat? How many? Where are the "hardpoints" on this type of boat? It has 4 chines (I think that is what they are called), that run the length of the boat plus the central keel. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Bob McSmith]

Re: Shore station bunks

Anybody?? Should I post this in a different forum?? Please help.

 

[jdlough]

Re: Shore station bunks

I'm somewhat of a newguy myself, but I'm pretty sure nobody here can picture exactly what you're talking about.

I'm guessing you're in a lake area, or at least no tide to deal with?

My guess is that you're trying to set up something like a boat lift bunk, but without really lifting the boat, so the bunk is something permanently just a bit under water, for the boat to ride up on, as you come into the dock?

If it's something like this, then it really HAS to be parallel. I can't imagine any bunk perpendicular to the boat that wouldn't hurt the boat.

Explain, please....

And pictures, especially here, are worth 1000 words. But people will actually LOOK at your pictures.

 

[Bob McSmith]

Re: Shore station bunks

I'm on a freshwater lake in Michigan. A shore station is a boat lift to raise the boat out of the water- 4 steel posts with a square frame in between that is raised by means of a large crank. Everyone around here has them- just figured they were commonplace- maybe they go by other names. Like a hoist at a car repair shop. You drive the boat into it and then raise the frame until it touches the boat, get it centered, then raise some more until the boat is out of the water. Some boats are supported on the frame by 2 rails that are perpendicular to the boat- one at the bow and one at the stern, shaped to match the shape of the hull. Other boats are supported along their length by two rails, much like a roller trailer (minus the rollers). So I'm trying to figure out the best way to support a 16' aluminum Sylan out of water.

 

[Bob McSmith]

Re: Shore station bunks

Couldn't get the photos to come up, but here are the links-

http://www.dockandhoist.com/hoists/index.html
http://tsdock.anchorproof.com/shorestation.htm

 

[jdlough]

Re: Shore station bunks

Ahhh...

I would have just called that a boat lift.

My boat lift is attached to wood pilings, but the idea's the same. My boat lift's bunks are parallel to the boat. They are maybe 14' long, 3" x 12" pressure treated wood, top covered with carpet. They stand on edge, but are tilted in a bit so that the top edge matches the "V" of the hull, and the top edge sits flat against the hull.