Trailer Bunks Horizontal or Vertical

[mlaymance]

After unloading the boat yesterday at the river, It gave me the oportunity to inspect the bunks and hardware on the trailer unobstructed.

I noticed that the bunk boards although would probably get me through the season, I'm not sure I want to trust it all summer long, since I plan on getting my money's worth out of the boat this summer.

My question is this....

Which is better Vertical bunks or horizontal bunks.
Vertical bunks where the boards stand on its edge would actually work better for me I believe. The boat has 2 water pickup fittings on the bottom, that seem to interfere with properly loading the trailer. I have to load the boat, pull it out and check to make sure that it isn't sitting on one of the fittings, If it is i have to back into the water again and move the boat around.

It is evident that the trailer isn't set up for this boat properly, and I want to fix that.

All new bunks, rollers, and hardware where necessary.

That being said I was wondering about the vertical bunk boards as opposed to the horizontal (flat) boards that are existing.

The boat is a 3600 lb (factory spec) cuddy cabin, sitting on a 2 axle (4500 LB axles) trailer. I only have 1 Keel roller because it is a tunnel hull (Penn Yan variety).

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Michael

 

[Silver Heels]

Re: Trailer Bunks Horizontal or Vertical

Hello,

I can't say I've ever seen bunk boards mounted vertically. Mounting them flat provides more area to support the boat. Also, mounting them this way allows the boards to conform to the hull slightly. My concern would be if they were mounted vertically, the weight of the hull would rest on a couple points instead of distributed. Can you shift the bunk boards inboard or outboard?

Silver Heels

 

[Biggems]

Re: Trailer Bunks Horizontal or Vertical

The boards can be mounted either way. On my trailer, they are mounted verticaly or on their sides. There are several advantages and disadvantages to both. But there is no right or wrong way.

With the boards mounted vertically, they can support several times more weight. This is an advantage if you have a heavier boat, which it sounds like you do. Also, if the boards are mounted verticaly, it provides less resistence against the hull which makes launching and retrieving easier. That tends to benefit smaller boats such as mine. As silverheels said, having them mounted horizontally, although not as strong, flexes the boards allowing them to conform to the shape of the hull.

If you can, post some pics so we can see what you are talking about with the "water pick up fittings" that interfere with retrieving.

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: Trailer Bunks Horizontal or Vertical

you say the bunks are hitting the fittings sometimes...what about taking a router and taking a few cm off the bunk where the fittings rest sometimes...

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Trailer Bunks Horizontal or Vertical

If your bunks are hitting a water intake or fitting, then you may have to adjust the position of the bunks on the trailer to avoid any interference.
I usually prefer to have the bunks vertical, the wood takes far more weight and is less likely to sag under the weight of the boat. On a small, light, flat bottom boat, then laying them flat may be an option.

Many trailers on which the bunks are horizontal, there are more than just two bunk boards to take up some of the weight.

 

[mlaymance]

Re: Trailer Bunks Horizontal or Vertical

here are a couple of pics. The water pickup fitting is shown circled in red.

 

[mlaymance]

Re: Trailer Bunks Horizontal or Vertical

Just wanted to bump it up..... hoping there is someone with a bit of expertise in this area.