Bunk with Rollers

[Wild Bill]

Hi all, just joined iboats and already have a question. I'm setting up my bunk and roller boat trailer. Question, does the keel rest on the rollers and does the bunks support port and starbard sides. I've asked a few people and I get 3 differant answers. Figured someone from iboats would know. Thank You:/:/:/

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

bunks support the weight
u want them like 1" if front of the transom, as in the transom sticks 1" over the bunks
the keel rollers are adjusted so the is resistance when boat is on trailer
u should be able to turn the rollers like 1/4 turn

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

I disagree with Justin. The bunks should sit at least an inch past the transom. That is where most of the weight and strength is, especcially on outboard boats. As to where it is supported it depends singlehandedly on what type of boat it is. Aluminum or fiberglass. What hull shape? Tell us what hull material and what hull design and we will be better able to help you.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

the reason why u want 1" relief is that u may have trim tabs or fish finders
if the boat creeps up a little bye-bye fish-finder traducer and trim tabs

i just passed my rigger coarse at marine mechanic school

go look at a how to set up a trailer book, it is well explained in there

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

I disagree as well. If a boat creeps forward it is not properly secured to the trailer and the winch post/bow stop is also set up wrong. Except for a crash, a properly set up trailer and properly secured boat will not move forward.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

if u have trim tabs u can not set it up with 1" past
that was my point saying 1" before the end of transom

if u have no parts sticking on your transom, then u need to set 1-2" past the transom8)

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

You can have the bunks stick out if you have trim tabs. Just adjust the bunks BESIDE the trim tabs. Replacing a transom or fixing a "hook" in the hull is a lot harder than adjusting the bunks.

Wild bill, please tell us what type of boat you have.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

i have and will continiue to have about 3 inches past my transom. i want the weight of the engine supported. when you mount your transom attachments do so one the trailer, so the bunks do not interfere. the stearn 2 rollers on my trailer are 12" self centering rollers, an i have guide ons. when i drive the boat up it totally centers itself, once out of the water 90% of the weight is on the 8 ft long bunks. 18' Aluminum CC

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

also helps if u have adjustable axle(s) or not to adj tongue weight
if u do not the u need to set the boat where 7-8% of total fully loaded weight is on the tongue

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

i agree with your last statement. adjustable axles are a big help.

 

[Wild Bill]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

Sorry guys I knew I would forget something, any way I have a1998 18' Aluminum Crestliner, I guess it's a deep V or a simi deep V,not for sure, don't know that much about boat hulls. The trailer is a Yacht Club, the rollers you can not adjust, their are 3 of them, stern,mid and bow roller. I hope this helps. Thanks again

 

[Wild Bill]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

You can adjust the bow roller.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

so u have no adjustable axles?

then all u can do is adjust boat back and forth for tongue weight which needs to be 7-8% of total fully loaded weight

the bunks might stick out or may not

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

I disagree with the 7 - 8% tongue weight as well. 10% is a more recognized number and even GM recommends that number as a minimum.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

silvertip
that was the old number but now all trailer manufactures say shoot for 7-8%

call a company and ask them

when did GM make a trailer? or boats?
Tongue weight and Hitch load capacity are 2 differently items

that is why the trailer axles are adjustable not the car axles

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

Suite yourself. But you won't be doing your customers a favor setting them that light, especially with heavier boat/trailer combinations. There are many on this board that have over 50 years of towing experience, as I do, that agree that heavier tongue weights make for less sway and better overall handling. This has been discussed to death before so I'm done here.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

You can never have too much tongue weight.


Okay, you can but 14% should be around the max. 11% is about perfect for many boats.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

Now, to answer your original question. On the aluminum boats that aren't flatbottom (jon) they tend to have a strong keel. A good bit of weight should be on these rollers. Then the bunks should hold some weight. Of it is a rivited boat the bunks should not be under a big long line of rivits but should be near a chine on the outside or a stringer on the inside. Some times hitting rivits is inevitable. Especcially if you have laterally running stringers. As for bunk coverings I personnally love the white Glide thingies. But not the expensive boating store ones though. Cheap white Wallyworld cutting boards ripped into narrow peices work just as well.

 

[Wild Bill]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

Thanks guys to all that responded, I really appreciate it.
I think I got a general idea what to do.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bunk with Rollers

justintime, book learnin is one thing, answer the test the way they want. get the license. then you learn in the real world. been doin it for years, give them what they want. then find out what it's really all about.