Trailer Bunk Position

[ralphy670]

Hello all,

I have a Smoker Craft 182 and have difficulties lining it up on the trailer. The dealer setup the trailer and I was a bit concerned at first regarding the bunk position. They said it was fine however according to the Shorelander setup instructions, it may not be.
The bunks are on the outside of the most outer keel on both sides. The trailer is a 2 bunk which makes it difficult to line up and I normally winch it on. It also appears the boat could be moved forward to ensure the rear bunk is flush with the transom.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[alldodge]

I like it, its setup so the bunks will help center it because bunks are just to the outside of the lifting strakes

Yes it should go froward a tad

 

[JimS123]

I would have set it up that way as well.

That's a tough hull to set up to be user-friendly. Since you have a nice strong keel, I would add a Stotz self-centering roller on each cross member. That will improve the ease of launching / retrieving, plus it will guarantee she'll be in the center every time. I have done that on 2 trailers now and boy, what a difference!

 

[ralphy670]

Thanks folks, I'll leave it and look into the rollers.

 

[roscoe]

Well, I'll be the odd man out.

I have had 3 boats with that exact hull.

My guess is you end up with one of those strakes sitting on top of a bunk must times you load it.

My bunks are 5" inside the strakes.
And the inside edge of the bunk is 11" from the centerline keel.

It seems to be the best to keep it centered while loading.

I back in to wet the bunks, then pull forward so that only 6" of bunk are under water.
The concave of the gulping hull follows the bunks right up the trailer.

 

[ralphy670]

Well, I'll be the odd man out.

I have had 3 boats with that exact hull.

My guess is you end up with one of those strakes sitting on top of a bunk must times you load it.

My bunks are 5" inside the strakes.
And the inside edge of the bunk is 11" from the centerline keel.

It seems to be the best to keep it centered while loading.

I back in to wet the bunks, then pull forward so that only 6" of bunk are under water.
The concave of the gulping hull follows the bunks right up the trailer.

Yes that is exactly what happens. I checked some other boats at the dealer today and the bunks on all are inside the most outer strake.

 

[w2much]

The closer to the V the better the boat will center itself. To close and you will have other issues like stability while turning a corner while trailering.. I have had a trailer loading issue for years. The boat took a knack to set on the trailer properly. With a cross breeze blowing it took some calculating on just when to pull up the ramp as the boat was centered or not. Often I needed to back back down the ramp with the bow tight to the winch , wait for a small surge to lift the boat and again hope I could pull up and the boat be centered. I added two crossmembers further forward and added the needed hardware for two 3 foot bunks. The forward bunks are easy to install after you add the crosmembers. You adjust the bunks to snug your V. They will not carry weight but rather direct the bow to line up straight. You dont need to jack up the boat as you do it. Just snug them to the hull. Best thing I could have done or have ever done to my trailer. I can now just drive the boat right up knowing it is centered. Kinda like where the head goes the tail follows. Look at other trailers next time at the ramp for your own guidance.