To Bunk or not to Bunk

[Capt. Bob]

I have a 15' Silverline v-hull with a 65HP Evinrude and the trailer is the traditional keel roller type with a bow bunk and a bunk on each side about 4' long near the rear.<br /><br />If the keel rollers are not aligned I get scratches from the brackets even though I load by hand and not drive on. You can't tell if it is aligned until the boat is almost on the trailer.<br /><br />I have seen new trailers with all bunks and bunk side guides that look like they support much larger boats fine. Is there any thing I should know before removing the rollers and refabricating to all bunk trailer?<br /><br />

 

[Jango]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

Make sure your NEW Bunks are about 7 or 8 ft long and the boat is resting on their entire lenght. The bunks should be located under or very near the Boats Stringers.<br />My Bayliner Trailer looks a lot like yours, and 2 Bunks only does a great job - Boat will center itself.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

Hey Bob,<br /><br />As boating in this part of the world (and avoiding to submerge brakes & bearings i general) is always about winching the boat on to the trailer, we never use trailer with bunks. Rollers for the keel and all supporting points. <br /><br />It makes trailering easier and is better for the boat.<br /><br />I'd suggest you take a look on such trailer setups. With adjustable roller mount brackets, you can make a perfect fit that guides the boat to the right place on the trailer every time.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

Hi Bob,<br />I have a 20' Lund and am experiencing similar problems with my trailer. The lower the tide, the harder it gets, as the angle of the ramp increases. In the not too distant future I plan on getting some of those "Guide Ons". I've seen plenty of the pvc ones down the boatramp but have always questioned how they'd work against the wind/current. Last trip to Boat US I saw some padded ones like you have on the back of your trailer but they're made to go on the sides. Boy wouldn't it be nice to not worry about having to line it up all the time? Especially with the water starting to get chilly! My boat has these long strips of aluminum, for stability I guess, running lenghtwise and 3/4 of the time my rollers are under these so it's back into the water............

 

[Jango]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

I can't understand how POINT contact (rollers) could be an improvement on a full length support of a bunk. <br />On most modern Boats, the keel is not the strong member, the tall structural STRINGERS are the backbone. That is if your boat has stringers. I suppose some don't. <br />If your boat is aluminum, with rivets you are looking for trouble with point contact.

 

[DJ]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

Ditto Jango.

 

[Ross J]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

Same here, I can't imagine towing my boat to Lake Taupo and back (560km) without bunks. Now I know there's plenty of folk happy with just rollers but I like the support the bunks give.<br />Plus as long as I give them some vasaline once a year they slip just fine.<br />Ross

 

[snapperbait]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

Step 1 remove rollers and place in garbage can... 2, 8 to 10 foot long bunks up the middle spaced 18-24 inches apart.. 2 bunks 4-6 feet long out toward the chine...Guides if you prefer... Aside from better support, the boat will be easy to load in wind & current and will tend to center itself on the trailer....

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

While your at it build a set of side guide bunks (even with your present set up) and you will never regret it.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Spidybot]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

I get your points and ofcourse cannot disagree on the subject of boat weight being put on points compared to bunks - the two designs are different and have pro's and con's for various uses.<br />Still I've never seen any damage to a boat caused by the rollers - provided rollers are plenty and placed right.<br /><br />As an example, here's a setup with 32 rollers placed on rockers which takes great care of the boat. Steepnes and low water level no worry as it completely follows the hull and receives it in any angle. <br />

 

[Ross J]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

Jesus Wept mate,<br />hey UU you park that thing anywhere around here sport and it'll go walkabout without you for sure. You'll even likely get to purchase it back as a replacement trailor.<br />Now bunks - the theives don't like them!<br />Ross

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

Yea, but let one or more of them rollers lock up and then look at the black stripes on side of boat.

 

[JB]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

Ahoy, Capt. Bob.<br /><br />My congratulations if you EVER get the boat on straight with that lash-up.<br /><br />Put side-guide rollers at the aft corners and side bunks midway. Keep the keel rollers, put longer bunks where your bunks are.<br /><br />Loading will be a piece of cake thereafter. You can even drive it on if you care to.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Jango]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

Capt. Bob<br />Now you've got a dozen or so different ideas on what to do. Bunks with rollers, all rollers, multible bunks etc,etc. <br />Like I said eariler, One set of Bunks under the Stringers (or about 4ft. apart)- The Boat will center itself. If you put multible Bunks close together, the Boat WILL NOT CENTER....

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

I will have to spend a day trying to figure out what I think will work best for me...but it only took 5 seconds to eliminate that 32 roller setup. Wow.......<br /><br />I like the bunk idea without rollers, I have seen them at the ramp and they drive their bass boats on their trailers. I have to wade and guess at where the boat goes on my trailer as it is now, then pull out and cross my fingers...it's a pain and I must change it.<br /><br />I like the self centering idea and I also like the side bunks to align the boat...maybe both?<br /><br />Thanks a heap for the helpful ideas, great advice and the roller derby.

 

[gsnyder]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

Bob--I have a smaller version of the trailer in your photo. It works fine for small boats that I can winch onto the trailer, then shift from the stern by lifting it to adjust the boat once it's clear of the water. I also have a 19' I/O that sits on a trailer with bunks described in the above posts and side guides at the stern. I can't tell you how easy it is to launch and recover a boat with that trailer. The guides are only about 20 inches long, so I back the trailer into the water leaving a couple of inches sticking out of the water. I guide the boat between them and when it stops centered over the bunks, I winch it up the couple of feet to the front support. I have launched at all kinds of ramps in all kinds of wind and water conditions, and I've learned that if the water or wind is rough, I don't back the trailer in as far as in calm water, so the boat stops on the bunks between the guides securely to be winched up. In over 100 launches the boat has never been mis-aligned. The only problem I can think of with this rig is a heavy boat on a very shallow ramp, but your boat looks as if it can be pushed off a trailer, even with long bunks

 

[mike_v2v98]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

ive got a 16.5 foot maxum i dont know if any of you know the kind of hull design it has but there is ribs that run the length of the hull<br />my bunks witch are about 8 feet long covered in carpet sit tight against one of these ribs so every time i drive the boat onto the trailer in any depth of water they always centre the boat<br />not only this but when im backing down a ramp i dont have to worry about the boat buggering off prematurly <br />ive seen roller trailers that loose there boat if you dont have the winch tight<br />its nice to back the wife in the water without having to get out and undo that winch everytime<br />quick and easy and if you back in far enough to get those bunks wet the boat slides on them easily<br />my 2 cents<br />rollers seem like a pain in the ars to many moving parts are bound to give you trouble sometime

 

[beckerdg]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

I say use bunks. <br /><br />I have dealt with rollers and if the ramp is uneven then it is tough to get the boat centered. With long bunks set the right depth in the water for loading they guide the boat right up.<br /><br />I have a 22 and half foot boat and use a hand cranked winch to load with only a little effort. I thought I was going to need an electric winch after helping friends load on roller trailers. Their boats sit higher and take more effort to crank em up. (least that is what I have experienced)<br /><br />I would give a word of caution about not worrying about having the boat locked in on a bunk trailer when backing. I tried that once, scared myself and about took my brother in law in the drink as the boat lauched out to sea. As soon as the back of the boat touched the water it launched like the Queen Mary going out of dry dock. Took my brother in-law about 30 feet of dock to slow down the 4000lb boat. I leave both strap and safety chain on until I am ready for the boat to leave the trailer. Still never have to get my feet wet.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

I have rollers for my 18 ft and I think they are the biggest pieces of *$(@ I have ever used. Dented a fender on the trailer last weekend when I didn't have the boat on right and the wind pushed it.<br /><br />So, I want bunks but what is the best way to install them? I almost feel like lifting the boat sideway, pulling the rollers and putting a bunk on, then doing the other side. I just want to be sure I have it lined up right when I do put them on. ANyone who has switched from rollers to bunks have any input? Also, do you leave the keel rollers in place?

 

[DJ]

Re: To Bunk or not to Bunk

Tacklewasher,<br /><br />My current rig was set up much like the one at the beginning of this thread. Following is what I did.<br /><br />1. Replaced the two outboard bunks (4 feet) with two bunks that are seven feet long.<br /><br />2. I replaced the keel rollers with two bunks six feet long and about 3 inches apart.