Strakes on Bunks?

[harringtondav]

I bought my own Shoreland'r bunk trailer vs. buying the fixed bunk Heritage trailer offered with my new boat. The main reason I paid more for the Shoreland'r is its adjustable bunks. (solenoid reverse brake lock out was another reason).
I float on and off the trailer, and like my boat as low as possible on the trailer. I told the dealer tech how I wanted it set up, but it doesn't look like he did anything other than position the winch mast. He said he was concerned how the strakes would be loaded on the bunks if he moved them.
I'm not buying this story. Guessing they wanted me out the door with minimum set up labor. With my two floor jacks I can make the adjustments myself, and plan on doing so.
I believe the strakes are solid, filled in when the factory laid up the hull, and will handle the bow trailer load. Eventually the bunk carpet will conform. I trailer twice a year for 107 miles each way.

What do you think? Thanks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I wouldnt load the strakes if you can help it

I would relieve the bunks where the strakes are or adjust the bunks to miss the strakes

 

[dingbat]

It’s all about distributing the weight across the largest possible area to keep concentrated loads on the hull to a min

I would not allow my boat to rest on strake. That’s just asking for problems

 

[Earl Cordova]

Why would you want to concentrate the weight of the boat on a strake ?
Not only would it be bad for the boat, it would screw up the carpet on the bunk.

 

[harringtondav]

Thanks SD and db. The trailer has Shoreland'rs 'Equiload' system. A 'teeter totter' under the rear of each bunk that distributes that half of the load. ..another reason I bought another Shoreland'r.
I'll see if I can get the bunks to set between the strakes. If not I'll relieve the bunks, or place rigid styrofoam or rubber under the bunk carpet to bridge and relieve the strake.

 

[harringtondav]

Why would you want to concentrate the weight of the boat on a strake ?
Not only would it be bad for the boat, it would screw up the carpet on the bunk.

Its not 'wanting', its what I may end up when I get the boat set at my height on the trailer.
I can adjust the spread and height of the front of the bunks. So I think I can get the height I want and stay off the strakes.

 

[poconojoe]

The weight should be evenly distributed. You should be using every square inch of bunk as possible to spread the weight safely. The bunks should sit flat against the hull, not teetering on the edge of the strakes. Just think of all the pressure on the edge of the strakes if they are sitting on the bunks. Plus the boat probably won't be sitting stable, possibly rocking back and forth, which is obviously not good in many respects.

 

[tdf-texas]

The bunks are better located under the stringers and/or close to the chines. I bought a Shoreland'r trailer as well and added additional bunks such that the hull was supported under the stringers and the other set of bunks were located at the outside edges of the hull just inside of the chines.

Here's the reasoning: The strongest part of the hull is right below the stringers and it makes sense to have the bunks located right under the stringers to support the weight. Bunks located next to the chines help support the weight of the boat when traveling - that support at the outer sides of the boat gives it stability during turns.

"To fit a boat to the trailer, make rough measurements to allow the boat to sit straight and level on the trailer, then crawl under the trailer and position each bunk, making sure that the bunks or rollers are positioned next to, not under strakes or other protrusions from the bottom, that the transom is well supported and that bunks are located under the interior stringers as well as any other areas needing additional support."

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