Ideas on bunk material...

[T Race]

Howdy shipmates,

    I am going to replace the wooden bunk boards on my trailer.  I am pondering using the plastic decking boards (composite decking material available at Home Depot) instead of lumber.  Any thoughts, pro or con on this idea?   Have any of you done this before, or know of someone who has?

    I would be interested in your thoughts.

    Thanks, Best Wishes, T.

[flounderpounder225]

Howdy shipmates,

    I am going to replace the wooden bunk boards on my trailer.  I am pondering using the plastic decking boards (composite decking material available at Home Depot) instead of lumber.  Any thoughts, pro or con on this idea?   Have any of you done this before, or know of someone who has?

    I would be interested in your thoughts.

    Thanks, Best Wishes, T.

T
If you are referring to just normal 2 x 6 or 2 x 8 on flat for the bunks, I wouldn't spend the extra money.  Regular PT good grade covered with indoor/outdoor carpet, and your done.  Just reworked my trailer, those bunks will probably outlast the trailer.  Some of this stuff is just better left simple and cheap.  My .02
Marc

[John Jones]

Some of this stuff is just better left simple and cheap.  My .02
Marc

Yeah, PT and only cover the top and sides of the bunks.  Leave the bottom bare so it can drain.  If you want it to outlast you, get cypress bunks.

[fitz73222]

One thing I have seen that seems like a good idea on some new trailers is use a PT or cypress uncovered "base bunk" with a composite material, carpeted if you like, wear bunk bolted to the top of the base bunk. When it comes time to replace the bunk; you only need to replace the wear bunk that is bolted on top. I agree that you only should have the carpet with a little wrap over to be able to staple to the sides of the bunk using monel staples.Leave the remainder of the bunk uncovered to air out and dry between uses.

[John Jones]

A wear bunk is a good idea too.  Here is a pic I posted quite a while back about the neighbors Load-Rite trailer that had galvanized box tubing for bunks and just a 1" board for a wear bunk.



from the Load-Rite online catalog.

[T Race]

Ship mates,

         I am really liking the ideas being presented, thank you for responding.  Anybody have any thoughts on using StarBoard in addition to the carpeting (or perhaps in lieu of carpeting) to assist with making a slicker "on trailer, off trailer" sliding surface?

         What would be the optimal configuration?  a) 100% plastic surface or,  b) part carpet, part plastic (what percentage of each, and what would the placement of the StarBoard look like), or just stick with all carpet.   I'm just thinking, I wouldn't mind less effort winching the boat up, and I wouldn't mind the boat sliding effortlessly into the drink during launching.  

         But one may always argue the old saw "if it ain't broke don't fix it".   Not fer nothing, but I like to tinker, to try to make things better (within reason).

        What do you think?

        Thanks in advance for any thoughts or observations, T.

[John Jones]

The commercial "bunk slicks" I have experience with have to issues IMHO.
- sooner or later they crack and gouge the hull.
- they are damn slick.  Many have ground launched their boat after installing them.

My $0.02 would be to adjust the trailer where you don't need them.

[Capt. Bob]

- they are damn slick.  Many have ground launched their boat after installing them.

Maybe wife sprayed the bunks with Pam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_wjWD60 ... re=related

[John Jones]

A boat ramp on a holiday weekend is more entertaining than any comedy club (if you are not trying to launch or retrieve a boat).  

About 10 years ago we watched a guy launch his Donzi go-fast and his Cadillac Escalade at Miami's Black Point Park.  Nothing but the roof rack of the Escalade was sticking out of the water.

[T Race]

Yikes, Marge !

             I started watching some of those You Tube boat launchings....  holy shnieckies !!  It reminded me of what John Wayne had to say about launching boats:  

                       "Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid".

             That's not really fair though.  I would bet most ramp mishaps are not due to being stupid, but rather due to lack of experience, and you can't really fault someone for trying.  The really pathetic people are those on-lookers at the dock, lacking the balls to do anything challenging in their own lives, who writhe with glee at the misfortune of those trying.

              May all your launches be wet ones, T.

[RickK]

Take a good look at this trailer - example of what JJ was talking about for wood layer on the bunks - also someone wasted a really big trailer for this small boat. Bet the trailer was for a boat maybe 10 ft longer?

[GoneFission]

A boat ramp on a holiday weekend is more entertaining than any comedy club (if you are not trying to launch or retrieve a boat).  

Like this:
 

Or this: