1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

[lil buggy]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

^^^^^^^^ your welcome,
glad it sprouted some ideas

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Well today I finally replaced the outer bunks on my trailer. I've had the bunks made and carpeted for about 6months. I've just been super nervous for some reason about jacking the big girl up to replace them. It really wasn't that big of a deal. I used some 4x4's and cinder blocks for cribbing...with some carpet over the wood. 4ton floor jack picked her right up.

anyways, I got them installed finally! The wife was complaining about these 12' long carpeted things laying in the carport. I'm glad i replaced them too! look how rotted the old ones were....

The old bunks were 4x4's stack on top of each other...somebody rigged it up obviously as there was no carpet on one side and very little on the other, they were also only attached with 2 lag screws thru each one (up thru the trailer frame). I replaced them with two 2x8's glued and screwed together. rounded off the top corners and glued carpet down. They are attached with FOUR longer lag screws for each side.

I had replaced the keel bunks last year. However the brackets appear to be moving on me. I think as the boat comes on to the trailer, its jarring those things a bit. I need to find a better bracket or something to attach these to the trailer frame. I have used an impact on the one bolt the bracket has, but it still moves.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

I've been browsing online looking for better brackets to attach the keel bunks to the trailer frame. I'm not having much luck. There are five of these brackets on each side.(each bunk) They all attache to the thin rectangular steel cross member of the trailer frame.

Anybody have any ideas?
The brackets on there move.(it is a 5500lb boat) then the boat ends up resting more on the outside bunks and I don't like that. I want the keel bunks to hold firmly in place. Could I have em welded in place?

 

[lil buggy]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

good eve Ciera,
good job on the outside bunks
those side bunks are beefy for sure. if you could post a pic between the keel bunks( down the hull it may help) front and back, so we can see where the keel isn't supported.

even though we are twins,lol, my trailer is set up a little different than yours. i went out and shot a few pics to satisfy my curiosity and who knows it might just help. i also need to address my trailstar trailer bunks and breaks. but i believe we have the same brackets mine are just swiveled a little differently . this is from the front

then the side from the back

outside bunk position and a good shot of the old bracket, lol, welded to the frame

both bunks from stern(keel bunks carpet is loose),,,

and finally the keel bunk

i thought i shot a pic of the inside of the keel bunks but the puter crashed, it's raining and i dont wana go back out there.
i will post more tomorrow if you need further pics
noted that your trailer is flat and mine dips in the middle. i think if you get the keel bunk supports welded a little lower( if the bolt wasnt there) it would be possible to lower them and tuck them in a lil closer to the keel which in turn would change the angle on the little brackets making them a lil more sturdy.

i hope it helps

 

[lil buggy]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

2nd thought if you drill a smaller bolt or screw hole through the end of both brackets kinda to the side to give it a second brace point at the exsisting angle it should help to keep it from walking around on ya.

but again to revisit, i think the best resolve would be to get the longer bracket welded (a little lower and inside) than the exsisting bolt will allow, which will allow for a less steep angle on the smaller pivot bolt/bracket and sure things up a bit for you.

am i makin any sense here? spitballing again,lol
hope it helps

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Thanks for the ideas lil buggy! I'm leaning toward moving the brackets over slightly to get the to a more vertical position and then use the one large bolt and drill a hole for another smaller bolt to keep the bracket from swiveling. Hopefully get to that tomorrow. I also picked up a new winch strap for the one I broke.
I'm hoping with the trailer bunks set up better, I'll avoid anymore issues cranking the boat down on the trailer.
Btw, while cutting up the old side bunks to throw em out, I noticed one side had a 4x6 and a 4x4 stacked together and the other side had two 4x4's!!!! There was a 1.5" difference in height, i'm sure that didn't help loading the boat eavenly on the trailer. I'll never understand why some people do the things they do.......

On another note, I picked up a 1200watt power inverter to install. I had some 4awg cable and 80amp fuse holder I removed from my trucks audio system when I upgraded it several years ago. I know some folks will give me crap about using the car audio cables but it is very good quality stuff!

I got a Peak model PKC0CF inverter with remote panel with outlets, usb, and on/off switch.
I plan to install the inverter on a shelve at the foot of the aft berth and then run the remote panel into the main cabin somewhere. I only plan to use the inverter to power my laptop and possibly brew some coffee.
I was out tonight and got the DC side wires run through the firewall and the fuse holder installed about 12" from the batteries. I need to get ring terminals tomorrow to attach the cables to the inverter and I still have to run the wires for the remote panel. I"m still undecided where to place it.
I ended up with a 3' run of 4awg power cable.(each way) This will be enough I hope???? The inverter came with 6awg cables so I figured I'd go up a step for a bit longer run.
Making some calculations here....my house bank has two 12v 110amp/hr batteries for a total of 220amp/hrs. That will be ok for my uses but I might add another battery to the house bank for some "extra juice".

I'd also like to get the dash panel removed tomorrow and sort out the rats nest of wiring behind there. I have new switches for the accessories to replace there while i'm at it.
Hope ya'll have a nice weekend!

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

I had a productive day
I got my new power inverter all installed and operational. I installed the inverter on the shelf at the foot end of the aft berth. 4awg cables ran 32". I bought some cable lugs to attach to the inverter and shrink wrap to finish it off. The battery end has battery post connections and the positive side has an 80amp fuse about a foot from the battery.
I installed the remote panel in the main cabin area.

heres some pics....

Wires on inverter end shrink wrapped and ready to hook up.

Location of inverter and remote panel. I REALLY like this feature!!!
hole drilled and ready to cut out the pattern...

Inverter in back of the "cave"

I used some hose I had from replacing the bilge pump hose in the cabin...Hoping it will keep the wires safe and free from abrasion

Remote panel in place, I haven't screwed it in or attached the lil trim ring yet. That'll only take a few minutes to finish off.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

After doing the inverter install, I was on a roll.....so I started sanding/grinding down the trailer frame to repaint. This trailer is huge and its gonna take me a while to sand everything down and remove the rust. I purchased Rustoleum professional "rusty metal primer" and also a can of gloss black enamel. I plan to add some hardener to the paint.
Anyways, I got about an 8 foot section down to clean metal and gave it a light coat of primer. I plan to just keep working a section at a time until its all primered. After I get one coat on everything, I'll give the whole trailer another coat of primer before painting.


What is the best way to remove the rust and old crappy paint off the trailer?????????
I've gone at it with a 60grit flap disc, a 36grit fiber disc, and even one of those "rust paint stripper" thingies that looks kinda like a sponge . Everything i've tried has worn out in no time. It'll cost me a hundred bucks in discs if I keep that up. Would a wire wheel work better?
The flap disc seemed to work best out of what i've tried.

This picture shows the metal i'm working with...the rust isn't horrible but its there. I did sand this section a bit before snapping the pic.

Small section on trailer primered


I haven't begun this task yet, but heres a pic of behind the dash. I hate wires all over the place!!!! I plan to clean all this up!

 

[lil buggy]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

shish you been busy,
great progress. i dig the inverter idea, and love the anti chafing hose deal, thats thinkin ahead! make sure you seal that mugger up so the exhaust fumes dont settle in the cabin. i knew there was a reason for that lil shelf back there, besides an oar holder i mean,,lol


as far as the trailer goes, i think you just need a ruff n scuff on the non rust spots as long as you can fade it in to the deeper affected areas,,lol. i am not sure i would take the time to get it all the way down to bare metal. however that being said my random orbital with 80 grit made short work of my pitted up outdrive so thats an option as well. and priming as you go will save you big time in 2nd attemps.
as far as the bunks go shoot a pic from behind the raised outdrive, under the keel going forward. and if you went this far, pulling the outer bunks in a lil if needed,(inside the strakes) could also help the keel bunk fittings being more upright in their current position.
sure you may raise the boat an inch on the trailer, but if all the fittings are straight they wont give you the movement you have been getting. need a pick to see if what i am thinking is happening

agreed what people do is sometimes crazy, the bunks being different heights:facepalm:,,,lol
have a beverage, you got lots done today

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

alright lil buggy...heres some pics of the bunks from the stern.

Any thoughts on how to better secure those keel bunks???? If the brackets had two bolts to the frame I don't think they would move.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Today was a busy day of grinding down the trailer's front half. But I got it done and a coat of primer over the entire front section of the trailer!
I had my son help a little with a stripper attachment on the drill. He started getting dusty with black stuff and quit..lol
The admiral came out and made me stop for a picture...Can't ya tell i'm having fun???? lol

Me and the boy beginning our day...

This is what most of the trailer frame looked like after some grinding...I took lil' buggy's advice and decided NOT to go to shiny bare metal in most spots. I got it close, but wasn't going for perfection. Its just a trailer.

One coat of primer done! I'm posting this and having dinner, then I'll head out and put on another coat. Maybe tomorrow I'll give it a light sanding and washdown. Then she is ready for some paint!

I'm beat and sun burned from being out there for about six hours straight. I'm going to have a beer and food and get back at it!

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

I found this when grinding down the coupler..... I think I'm a tad under the limit. hahaha

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Those keel brackets will never hold you can try 2 bolts but use star washers on nut side, I it were me I get them set where you want them and fab some new ones out of 1/2x11/2x11/2 angle drill the mount holes and weld them in place and or double bolt the bracket to trailer mount those slotted brackets never seem to hold even with the gripping divits punched in them. Good luck and nice work so far!

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Hello fat fanny...thanks for the advice. I agree with you ,welding a new bracket in position will be my best bet. After I finish up painting the front half of the trailer, I'll get the boat off of it and do the back half. I happen to NOT have a welder (been begging..) but I've got a buddy that does. I'll get him to weld on new brackets and there is also a cracked weld on one of the fenders to repair.
Thanks again!!

 

[lil buggy]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

alright lil buggy...heres some pics of the bunks from the stern.

Any thoughts on how to better secure those keel bunks???? If the brackets had two bolts to the frame I don't think they would move.

Ciera,
thanks for the pic.
i think the angle on the keel bunk support swivel has created enough leverage to move the one bolt to the trailer outa wac
i typed up this big reply and the puter crashed
so here goes,lol.
agreed welding might be the way to go here. i wana suggest tho before you take it to him that you get it all ready and at least 1 bolt in each support to the frame, preferrably 2 bolts.
i would do this by jacking up or supporting the keel, then take one middle keel bunk trailer supports(not the end one) loosen and take the bolt out of the trailer and swivel the bracket outbound so it has, closer to a 90 degree to the hull then try to rebolt it. with 2 bolts back to the trailer.( if you can get a 90 to the hull and 2 bolts, you wont have to bribe the welder it will be strong and solid as can be. if they are, it will be plenty strong without a weld. ) imho, then you can do the rest one by one.
i am afraid if you take it without the boat for welding that you won't have the right angle or height.:facepalm:
i wouldn't secure the swivel with 2 bolts just the support to the trailer
hope it helps, i am not sure if i described good enough, if not lemme know

you are kicken but on that trailer, great work. enjoy that soda pop

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Thanks for the reply lil buggy! I hope tomorrow to get out there and see if I can get the support brackets more vertical and install another bolt through them. You are right about taking to get welded without the boat on the trailer...it'd be tough to get em just right. I will get em straight and double bolt to the trailer frame. It'll be nice to cut off the excess lower side of the brackets while i'm at it. (a couple of em hang rather low). Again, thank you sir!!

I got one coat of paint on the trailer after a very light sanding on the primer coats. I used rustoleum professional enamel in gloss black with valspar enamel hardener. Holy crap its shiny!!!! I plan to do another coat tomorrow evening. I'm not sure how I feel about the high gloss....

 

[lil buggy]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Thanks for the reply lil buggy! I hope tomorrow to get out there and see if I can get the support brackets more vertical and install another bolt through them. You are right about taking to get welded without the boat on the trailer...it'd be tough to get em just right. I will get em straight and double bolt to the trailer frame. It'll be nice to cut off the excess lower side of the brackets while i'm at it. (a couple of em hang rather low). Again, thank you sir!!

I got one coat of paint on the trailer after a very light sanding on the primer coats. I used rustoleum professional enamel in gloss black with valspar enamel hardener. Holy crap its shiny!!!! I plan to do another coat tomorrow evening. I'm not sure how I feel about the high gloss....

noo prob and your welcome,

 

[lil buggy]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Well today I finally replaced the outer bunks on my trailer. I've had the bunks made and carpeted for about 6months. I've just been super nervous for some reason about jacking the big girl up to replace them. It really wasn't that big of a deal. I used some 4x4's and cinder blocks for cribbing...with some carpet over the wood. 4ton floor jack picked her right up.

anyways, I got them installed finally! The wife was complaining about these 12' long carpeted things laying in the carport. I'm glad i replaced them too! look how rotted the old ones were....


The old bunks were 4x4's stack on top of each other...somebody rigged it up obviously as there was no carpet on one side and very little on the other, they were also only attached with 2 lag screws thru each one (up thru the trailer frame). I replaced them with two 2x8's glued and screwed together. rounded off the top corners and glued carpet down. They are attached with FOUR longer lag screws for each side.

I had replaced the keel bunks last year. However the brackets appear to be moving on me. I think as the boat comes on to the trailer, its jarring those things a bit. I need to find a better bracket or something to attach these to the trailer frame. I have used an impact on the one bolt the bracket has, but it still moves.

ok i just went back thru to double check. you certainly got a big boy trailer there.
sorry but i need another pick before you move on with the keel bunk brackets.
can you shoot a pic from about 10 feet behind and under the boat and try to get both keel bunks in the pick.
the reason i am askin is that the outside bunk is sitting on the chine in the pick and i am not sure how much space you have on the keel to the trailer and center rollers if equipped. soo if you only have 1 other bunk than the outside ones, i think i would like the keel bunk about 4 to 6 inches more to the outside and up from where they are presently. to help with the load.


another option is to add a third set of bunks half way in between the (pesent position)keel and outside ones,
i did that to my last v hull boat with deep chines,( i used angle iron doubled to make a u) and no matter how fast the water ran or how crooked the ramp was you drove on and it kinda dropped into perfect position everytime no need for a winch,,lol,,,, the downside was with all the bunks and carpet resistence you had to sink the trailer further to get the boat off.

you are killen this project and i don't wana lead you the wrong way.
great work, and i cant wait for an update and to see the new shine

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

Thanks for all the advice lil buggy! I'm unable to get a pic behind the boat right now as its backed up against a fence. But I got a couple shots from the front.
This pic shows the chines that the bunks rest on (the keel bunk is angled to the hull inside the inner chine, NOT on the chine itself)
I put a couple arrows to help identify them....

This picture is from a little farther out in front of the boat...

Also, I got the front half of the trailer painted. Three coats of the gloss black...I'm still unsure about how shiny it is!!! lol

Any thoughts on the keel bunks is greatly appreciated....AS ALWAYS!!!
For what its worth...when i bought the boat, the original keel bunks weren't even touching the boat...the outer bunks were completly supporting the boat! All the bunks are new and i'd like to get them set up the best way possible..

 

[lil buggy]

Re: 1985 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sunbridge Restoration underway!

is it just me, but,,,,,,
that trailer rocks
great work. i'm likin it shiny, i bet it keeps the grime down.

thanks for postin the pics. looks set up correctly. only thing i might change,besides the angle of the keel bunk brackets, would be to raise them just a hair to get the keel weight off the roller( if there is weight on them) . or lower the rollers themselves

i think you should move the keel bunk brackets out some. that will help with the strength of them and they shouldn't walk on ya anymore. pardon the primitive drawing, but like this the grey crayon,,lol

then i am thinking use 2 a lil smaller bolts, not in the slide but drilled thru the bracket and the trailer. of course once they are moved

that will sure things up, the 2 bolts coupled with the right angle should do it.
prolly if the angle was right you could use just the one bolt. if your worried you could ad a smaller set screw( use a smaller bolt off to the side)

i believe the angle of the brackets is why they are moving around on ya.

again great work, and cheers