Bunks are scratching my hull...

[Tahoe 55]

I'm a 1st time boat owner and I don't know if this is a common problem. My boat is new and is on a new trailer. The problem I have is on the ends of the inside carpeted bunks where the front of the hull 1st contacts the trailer on recovery and the last point of contact on launch. The carpet is worn and the bunk is scratching the hull. My dealer said it was normal and the only way to fix was to convert to "roller bunks" and that it wasn't possible on my trailer. He said I could re-carpet, but it would just wear through again in a short time... I started looking into the various plastic "EZ" bunk slides out there, but none are recommended for my size and weight of fiberglass hull (3500lb). One thought I had was to just buy a set of plastic "bunk ends" made by one of the company's. This looks like it would protect the high wear spots I have, but it looks to be about 1/4 high and then the hull would not be supported evenly on those bunks. Another idea I saw was to buy a roll of marine carpet and double cover the ends of the bunks (so far this is my best and cheapest option I think).

Do you long time boaters have any ideas for me? I launch and recover every time we go out and that's a lot during the summer.

Thanks,

Rick

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

it sounds like you are launching the boat in shallow water. the hull should float to about 1/4 way up the tralier.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

Yup replace the worn carpet and launch a bit deeper.

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

No, not shallow.
I back in until the boat floats off at launch.
Float the boat on the trailer and winch the last few feet at recovery.
It just seems like the design of the hull and bunks that it drags on the back end (back end of bunks and front/lower end of the hull)....

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

if you are scratching the bow (front part) of your boat on the back part of your trailer you are not putting your trailer far enough in the water

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

Well, the problem I have is if I go deeper the water has the back of the boat floating too high. The middle of the boat is resting on the bunks, the deep water "hinges" the stern up and the nose of the bow is "hinged" low and rubs hard into the bow roller when winched up. This makes worse marks than the worn bunks on the hull. Hope that makes sense. It's hard to explain...

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

If the bunks are just a tad too long maybe just trim a little off or reposition the forward a little, or shave the very ends where they hit to a 45 degree angle just so there's a little bit of a ramp.

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

Making the bunk shorter isn't an option because, the welded frame bracket (attachment point) is only 2" up from the end of the bunk.

I emailed the people at Ultimate Bunk Boards to see if their product is suitable for my boat, but that's a pretty pricey option....

I still think double carpet on the bunk ends is worth a try 1st.

I'm not going to do anything until spring. Just trying to get a plan together.

Thanks for all the suggestions and I'm open to more.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

I think we need pictures of the damage and the trailer to get a better idea.

Also, as mentioned before, if you float the stern (launch a bit deeper), then there is no way the end of the bunk will rub against anything. Same thing when retrieving except the trailer should be as deep. The end of the bunk should have any weight on em until you pull the boat out. If your rubbing the bow with the end of the bunks while retrieving, then the trailer is WAY TOO shallow.

Good luck...Pictures please..

 

[jljue]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

I don't know what angle the boat ramp is, but you may want to be sure that the trailer sits level or slightly tilted downward when hooked up to the tow vehicle with the boat on the trailer. This will help you with some approach angle for the boat to the trailer as you try to load the boat onto the trailer. I've seen some people with lifted trucks but not enough drawbar drop have problems like this on bass boats.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

I'm a 1st time boat owner and I don't know if this is a common problem. My boat is new and is on a new trailer.

Take the boat back to the dealer and tell him to fix it !!!!!! You do not want anything less than what you paid for - end of this conversation !!!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

Carpet wears out on all bunks and typically the wear is uneven, so don't stress too much over it.

It sounds like these are pressure points near the mounting supports, the bunks will flex down between the supports resulting in more wear in the high spots. The wear can be from just traveling down the road, not loading and unloading, the vibration can eat through the carpet pretty fast on a heavy boat. Some times you can add more supports easily, but other times it's a little more involved.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

Aside from every thing else mentioned, could be cheap thin carpeting.
I've seen many that had really cheesy carpeting.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

ever considered loading so far, and having someone pull the trailer forward, so you can get the last little bit with the winch. it really sounds like something is not right. pictures of your situation would really help.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

Get some more carpet and cut it into a "T" shape to recover the end of the bunks, the leg of the t goes inline with the runner and the top should be long enough to attach to the sides of the runner so no fasteners contact the hull, leave the old carpet on for extra cushion or it will just wear out again in the same spot.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

I just got a new overtons boat supply magazine in the mail yesterday, I was just browsing through and in the trailer section they a new item
(
bunk ender pads for putting on the end of your bunks

I would post a link but this new laptop is driving me nuts.

 

[DDog11]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

From the the top of the very end of the bunk 1.5 inches down going up at a gradual slope 4.5 inches in needs to come off. Cut that portion off the put down a piece of carpet matching the top portion of the cutoff glued only. Then install carpet as usual and use glue around the ends of the bunks.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Bunks are scratching my hull...

At least if you put rubber on the tip of your bunk, you will have to drive your trailer deeper, because the rubber will act was a brake and you will have to go deeper to release it.

With kidding aside, I think the "salty" dogs are right, takes some pictures. As you read the iboats forums, you will notice that repeated bunk scratches are not normal or desirable. In fact they can easily take the gel coat off your boat if they continue scratching the same line each time you launch. Heaven forbid you get sand or a rock stuck in you bunk board.

I am assuming that the trailer is not setup properly for the boat. It sounds like there is too much pressure at the tip. These guys will look at the set up and tell you if I am right. If I am not right they will tell you with their experience what they think, but they need a pic.