3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

[Boats-A-lots]

Just want to make 100% sure I do this right.. I have a deep V cuddy and I'm replacing the bunks, and rollers. The very bottom of the boat has about a 6" flat spot from about midway back. I'm going to jack up the trailer about 5 inches and block the boat up, then bring the trailer down (slowly). Is this where I should put my blocks. (1 on flat spot near the back (the 4.3 cobra is right above that), and one on each side towards the back? Then, block the keel on the front and back of the rollers?

Thanks..

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

Found this site, but there is no mention of supporting it in the center on the back. But, others site read SUPPORT it on the center, and only stabilize it on the sides. Keeping the most weight on the center line. Trailer is up in the air, but fear is keeping me from lowering it..

http://www.auroramarine.com/aurora/dealers/06_tips_tricks/Pro_boat_raise.html

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

Fear vs wanting to get this project started the boat is sitting on blocks. I got the first bunk off, and what I found was under the wood was metal. Through the metal was the bolt holding it to the frame. The metal was not fastened to the 2x6 at all. The only thing holding the 2x6's to the frame of the trailer was the boats weight, and carpet. Is this the norm? When I replace the bunks, do I need this metal back in there? Or counter sink the bolts into the 2x6's and patch with filler, carpet the wood, and put back on?

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

yes you want to attach the wood to the metal either with Lags or counter sunk bolts, you probably had lags and they rusted away and fell out.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

yes you want to attach the wood to the metal either with Lags or counter sunk bolts, you probably had lags and they rusted away and fell out.

Try to draw a pic with words of what it was.. It was rusted into small chunks. Each bunk is a 2x6 x 6 ft. The front foot, and last foot was a metal angle iron. (wrapped up the sides of the 2x6s) One U bolt front and back through the metal through the trailer cradle. (see pic above).

Now, because the iron on the first and last foot, the wood in the center would sag down to the cradle. Should I put a 1ft chunk of iron about the middle so it doesn't sag? My other boat just had 2x6's and no iron. Since this boat mainly is launched in salt water I'm thinking galvanized metal.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

Not finding any thing on the web about using the channel iron when replacing the bunks. Mine was factory Shorelander bunks, maybe they did it that way, but can't find anyone else with that.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

ok I would counter sink lags from the top of your 2X6 and thread them into your steel (the piece you removed) on the front and back, I wouldn't worry to much about the gap in the middle.

The reason you don't find to much info about this trailer is because its not a good design, you could always leave the piece you removed out and replace your bunk supports with these

http://www.iboats.com/Seachoice-Swi...887987003--session_id.424600535--view_id.3044

The problem I forsee is that it doesn't look like you have a rear support on your trailer.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

The only back support is the galvanized piece in the pic above I took off. (only way I could get to the rusted U bolts) There is one of those on each side of the trailer, bolted to a cross member that goes from one wheel to the other. So, my back support is more cantilevered off the 2x6s up to the center of that piece. (think I said that right) So I have to put that back on, as there isn't anything to bolt onto the last 4 ft or so of the of the trailer. The boat would just kind of hang there.

I'm still trying to figure out why the 2x6 was cradled in 2, 1 foot long (front and back) raw steel, attached to that piece I took off in the pic. Why the need for that steel? I can go to a metal shop and by some scrap pieces and put it back that way, but I'm wondering why I would. Couldn't I just carpet a 2x6, counter sink the bolts and be okay?

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

Well I think they used the Galvanized piece since there is no rear support at the rear of the trailer and they need more support near the rear of the boat. If it were me I would install a rear support on the trailer going from each main beam of the trailer with a roller in the middle similar to what the mid supports on your trailer are, then install the brackets I posted and install your bunks, this is the way its done now, but not on your trailer right?

I just think this was a poorly thought out design by the trailer manufacturer and now your forced to try to use it and maintain it, which is why your not getting much help here typically everyone here would be on this but your setup has everyone a little worried since its a rare trailer setup, thats why I say if you can add a rear support and you will be able to make your trailer a more typical setup and I wont be as worried giving you the wrong advice..

Can you post a pic from the side, of the whole trailer? do your mains go to the rear of the boat or do they stop at the wheels? You may be stuck and just have to do the best you can.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

I think this trailer was a 1 size fits all that SeaSwirl put under their boats. I have seen a lot of these trailers under different size boats and makes. I only took that one piece off the one side, you can see what it looks like on the side I didn't take off. (yet). I'm also going to move the boat forward about 6 inches on the bunks.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

ok those pics really don't look that bad as far as location of the bunk on the boat and the trailer, the way I see what you have is that the rear most brace between the mains of the trailer actually rotates a bit under the load of the boat when you launch and retrieve, which is kinda cool.

Attaching the bunks to the steel piece you removed:

after thinking about this I would go ahead and put a metal or even better a piece of plastic between the wood bunk and the metal piece you removed, I think this is to help keep water from staying in this joint between wood/carpet and the metal. Lag bolt through the metal/plastic and into the bunk, you don't have to worry about the space between the lags at the front and rear of the steel it will be fine.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

Awesome.. thank you for your help. I like the idea of plastic other then metal, as I mainly salt water launch.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

Yeah I like the idea of keeping the wood off the metal also, that gives it an area of air and would also help the wood dry out faster, Anyway I am off to the lake, I have a 5 day weekend, I hope this works out for you and you can get out there this weekend good luck!

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: 3 pics Do I block up boat here, here and here?

Be safe, have fun!! I'm off to buy parts.. Thanks gain