Do I need to redesign my bunks?

[dcollicott]

I recently acquired a 22-foot swing-keel sailboat. The trailer has long bunks on it made from two-by's probably 2x10's. They flex under the weight of the boat as I pull it up the ramp. The result of this is the bow is not in same place as it was when I cranked it up. It actually moves downward, and the eye that I clip to ends up below the notch on the trailer.

Below is a picture of my boat on the trailer, so you can see - kindof - the bunks. I also included a picture of a trailer that's not mine, but does show you pretty much what my bunks look like.

I have seen other similar to this that have a center support so that the downward flex does not occur.

This is my first experience with a boat of this weight. Previously, I have only messed with a 15-foot outboard that fits very nice on it's trailer.

Thoughts?

 

[redneck joe]

Get some bunk braces and add for more support. I hit the brakes at the top of the ralp to settle inplace. Crank tight tie down and drive away

 

[jbcurt00]

1st I'd like to see the whole trailer and boat along 1 side.

It looks like the boat is centered over the axle and the bunk dips below the side rail of the trailer just in front of the fender.

What does that boat weigh and what is the trailer rated for?

I think there needs to be some additional changes beyond better support of the bunks, which is definitely needed.

 

[dcollicott]

All great thoughts, thanks. The trailer rating is great, but I'm thinking at some point the bunks were somebody's DIY project and not done well. I'll going to add the center support and see how it goes. I'll have it in the water next summer, so the trailer will be empty and easy to work on.

 

[fhhuber]

Well... the bending boards means they are conforming to the hull. That spreads the load, which is good.

Forcing the boards to stay straight will be a mistake, supporting the hull essentially on 2 points plus the bow eye...

I'd look into adding braces that hold the bend in the bunk boards so the boat doesn't have to be out of the water to force them to bend under the boat's weight...

 

[thumpar]

What is the angle of the bow eye to the winch when the boat is up to the front roller? I have this problem sometimes and it is because the winch is actually pulling downward on the eye as it gets up to the front roller. My plan is to reverse the winch so that the strap goes over the top instead of the bottom.

 

[Bondo]

They flex under the weight of the boat as I pull it up the ramp. The result of this is the bow is not in same place as it was when I cranked it up. It actually moves downward, and the eye that I clip to ends up below the notch on the trailer.

Ayuh,..... This is gonna happen, regardless what ya do to the wagon,.....

The wagon is on the lake bottom, the hull is floatin', the angle is gonna change as ya pull out, because the relative angle of the wagon, 'n hull,.....

I launch, 'n load at a steep launch, the boweye on my barge is under the winch, til I pull out, 'n then it's above the winch, Because of the changin' angles,....

Not sayin' ya don't need different planks, possibly set up differently,....
Just sayin' the hull will move in relation to the wagon, as ya pull out,....

I agree with above, a picture from further away would be better,....