DIY bunks

[jgoeden]

Hey guys,

I have a 19' runabout (2200lbs dry) that sits on my trailer and has about ... gotta remember here....7-9 rollers. I would like to add 2 medium sized bunks to the trailer to take some weight off the rollers and also its hard to center the boat on the rollers exactly so we are constantly backing up during recovery to center the boat on the rollers.

Is making your own bunks safe? And if so, can you guys recommend any safe ways to go about it? Preferrably less expensive, but not to risk quality. (Don't want to drop $500 into bunks when I can get a nice used trailer for $750 around here)

thanks!

 

[Bayliner175xt]

Re: DIY bunks

Hi i added a 2nd set of bunks to my trailer for about $200 Australian.
1, I used 2 pieces of 2 x 4 Hardwood cut to suite my trailer.
2, Tapered off the transom end with a 45Deg angle so boat doesn't hit corner.
measured and drill holes and counted bored tops so bolt head doesn't stick up
I had brackets clamped to trailer
3, 3 Coats of timber clear coat sealer.
4, Glued top and screwed sides of outdoor carpet around the bunks.
5, I cut a small cross in the carpet so i could get bolts through.
6, lined it all up and drilled trailer.

Works perfect.

Hope this helps.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: DIY bunks

Bunks can be easily added with your boat on the trailer. Plan for stanchions on every cross member and should be long enough to extend below the frame when jacked to the position you desire. 2x6 fir (I use Cuprinol to treat) would be a best choice with a best guess at 10 to 12 ft. The can extend beyond the transom 3 or 4" if desired, but the transom should rest immediately above the rearmost trailer member. They could extend forward a few inches beyond touching the hull. You'll have to calculate that length. I would only use a carpet and avoid the hard plastic skids. The bunk boards will likely outlast the carpet many times, so adhesive would not be a consideration and needs the airflow to dry between the 2. Use brass or stainless tacks to secure the carpet on the edges and ends. A 45deg end bevel is unnecessary as the bow of your boat will first hit the bunks well fore of the aft ends of the boards. Counter bore all bunk hardware as earlier suggested. Make sure that when jacking the bunks into position, each stanchion position is raised equally snug to the bottom.

In regards to difficult loading and centering, there could be many factors creating this (ie angle of ramp, backing in too far, height of tongue on coupling, length of tongue, guide rollers, etc.) Oftentimes a trailer is is not ideally suited for a particular type of boat hull.

 

[j_martin]

Re: DIY bunks

Couple of tricks to note.

if salt water, use monel or 308 stainless fasteners.

Once you get your bunks and bunk mounts in place under the boat, you can leave the clamp bolts for the bunk mounts loose, put a small jack under the bottom ends of the mounts , and put on the pressure you want it to hold up, all the way to holding it completely off the rollers. then just tighten the bolts.

Bunks and wind boards sure make loading a snap.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: DIY bunks

It would be easier to mount a couple of guide on boards at the rear of the trailer. Something like this.

http://www.iboats.com/5-Bunk-Board-...26936186--**********.767290309--view_id.62635

 

[jgoeden]

Re: DIY bunks

Thanks everyone for the replies, sounds like it isn't so bad.

Gonefishie, I like those and might consider those in addition to the bunks if I think I'll need them. My dad has them and he loads his boat by himself in a matter of minutes.

Thanks again!