Trailer rebuilding/converting project.

Raoul

Cadet
Joined
May 10, 2002
Messages
23
This is my first boat, and while it's exactly the boat I wanted, the trailer leaves quite a little to be desired. I want to convert the trailer to bunks, and I've been wondering about using 1 pair of bunks or 2 and where to locate them on the hull.<br /><br />The boat is a old but solid 1973 17' AMF Crestliner bowrider tri-hull/'85 HP Evinrude. I figure it weighs around 1000 (1400lbs max cap). The only thing holding it up though, are 4 keel rollers and a pair of 4' long 2x4s tucked-up against the two outer ribs that are about 2/3 the way out from the keel. The last keel roller (about 12" in from the transom) seems to be holding the most weight back there which can't be good for the keel. (Good thing the boat was kept in the water for most of it's life.)<br /><br />One other thing I don't like is it's a tilting trailer (which I never use) and I'll be permanently disabling it. (I don't like the locking mechanism) I'll either weld it or bolt it in it's locked position.<br /><br />My plan (!) is to use a pair of 2x10 (2x8?) 6' long bunks just to the inside of the ribs, which puts them roughly centered between the keel and the outer edge, the inside edge being about 12" from the keel. <br /><br />Or should I instead move them closer to the keel, and use another pair outside the ribs too? My plan is to eliminate the last two keel rollers altogether, while still relying on the front 3 keel rollers to do the job up front. There are also 2 pivoting straight 12' rollers on the sides of the bow, about a 1/3 the way back from the bow tip.<br /><br />So will two 2x10(2x8) bunks be enough to hold up the rear, or should I use another pair of 2x4s outside of the rib and move the two main ones closer to the keel?<br /><br />I can post pix if you want....
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Trailer rebuilding/converting project.

Raoul,<br /><br />You have the right idea. You do not need to go to 2X8's. 2X6's will be more than adequate. 2X4's would be OK.<br /><br />Put the bunks between the keel and the outer chines. Just where you mentioned. <br /><br />I would probably leave the keel rollers there and just adjust them downward so that they are not carrying the majority of the weight. If you really want to remove them, that's OK.
 

Raoul

Cadet
Joined
May 10, 2002
Messages
23
Re: Trailer rebuilding/converting project.

Anybody else have anything to add before I start this project?<br /><br />I'm gonna rip the 2x10s I have down to 2x8s, that way I can wrap the 12" wide bunk carpet around to the bottom...<br /><br />Anybody make Bunk carpeting wider than 12"? I can't find any....
 

dustydiesel

Cadet
Joined
Sep 19, 2001
Messages
23
Re: Trailer rebuilding/converting project.

If the 2x8s warp or cup you may lose or end up with less load carrying surface than a 2x4. The last two rollers, are you talking about the rear rollers? I was thinking that the more keel rollers the straighter your boat would be when winched on to the trailer up to the point that the bunks start to take up the wieght. Just thinking out loud.
 
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