Do these bunks extend too far?

[moonfish]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

Dade, you see what I wasn't seeing at all.

It shows up the best here, the bunks are really short. I guess the 2x4 cant' flex if it is only fastened in one place.

Not easy to see but the bunk doesn't go past the wheel

Thanks for the advice. I know it is kind of boring but what's worse than breaking your boat while you trailer it? Yeah the motor is 250#.

 

[moonfish]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

A lot of it is unsupported.

It looks like I can run long bunks 2x4 or 2x6 and lay them right on the trailer frame. I'll make friends with a welder and I see how that welded joint isn't the best design for something that flexes, either. Thank you gentlemen.

 

[Floatsum]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

it looks to me like the bunks are just attached to the rear cross member with more than half of them hanging off the back of the trailer. In my opinion that is not a good set up to support that 250 # four stroke. with not much weight in the front and the bunks only attached in the middle they are going to act like a see saw.

Good catch! Was thinking about changing the whole setup for my taste.
2X4's tied to the front X member w/ 2X6 running flat on top of the 2X4 (glued solid).
Shorten up the rear, move boat forward to within 6-8" of rear X member if possible leaving 2-3" of bunk behind transom. Then move axle up to balance properly for trailering.
And definately reweld that cap up.

Sounds like a lot, but I'd feel better about it if it was mine.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

...Thank you for the additional pictures.
A coupla suggestions:
Lengthen the bunks if you're gonna keep that heavy powerhouse back there.
Stop by your local, friendly trailer supply store and pick up a pair of bunk pivots and install just forward of the bunks balance point.
Slide the winch post and center roller forward to place the transom over the trailer.
Re-asjust your transom saver.
Get that crack weld-repaired. The crack is exactly in the heat-affected zone of the thinner material....a doubler may be required to support the weight of the engine. Make the same repair to the other side.

FWIW....Ed in 'ol Virginny

 

[kabcpapc]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

You should move the winch post closer to the coupler by the same distance it would take for the transom to be over the end of the trailer. Move the bunks forward so the ends of the bunks are even with the transom. I can't tell if the bunks have two mounting points or just one swivel bracket. I prefer to have my bunks with two mounting points if you can get the bunk to conform to the bottom of the hull. The trailer jack can be moved forward also. The winch post should be no less than 24" (preferably more) from the coupler to allow for turning while trailering. The side guide-ons should be moved forward so that the rear ends are slightly ahead of the rear of the boat. I would use a gunwale strap over the rear of the boat or the gunwale straps where there is a mounting point on the rear trailer frame on each side of the motor with the strap going to the boat's stern eye. Check your tongue weight to see if you have 10% of the combined weight on the hitch ball. Then you would be good to go.

Sorry for the late post. I'm a slow typer.

 

[walt-oxie1]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

I would run 2 long 4x4s and bolt them direct to the frame since it is a flat bottom boat. It will also lower the boat on the trailer since no brackets would be needed. Just adjust the length/placement them so the tongue weight is correct. The winch post may need moved too. With the boat sitting lower the uprights will help keep the boat from moving side to side. If anything I would just tie the boat down with a rope since the uprights got the side to side movement covered. You just need to hold the boat down.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

Having seen your new pics ... I took a look at the mfg.'s website:

http://www.shorelandr.com/pages/t_modelincat.aspx?type=boat

Do yourself a favor and search out your trailer's model number on the mfg.'s website to see how it is supposed to be set up and whether it is rated to carry the load of your boat and motor.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

Shoot I wouldn't worry about that little crack one little bit, cosmetic if you ask me, that gusset is welded solid all the way around.

 

[dade61782]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

That gusset is a major structural component of the hull. I would have ANY crack near or around the transom, knee, or gussets, welded up. Alot of stress is applied in these areas while underpower as well as trailering. if the back of the boat is bouncing on the trailer that stress is going to show on the transom near that gusset or on the gunnell where it is now. JUST MY 0.02

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

That gusset is a major structural component of the hull. I would have ANY crack near or around the transom, knee, or gussets, welded up. Alot of stress is applied in these areas while underpower as well as trailering. if the back of the boat is bouncing on the trailer that stress is going to show on the transom near that gusset or on the gunnell where it is now. JUST MY 0.02

U-R RIGHT !!!! The gusset has certaunly done its job, however, that rolled lip of the bulkhead is failing in the heat affected zone and must be re-reinforced to the transom and gusset !!! That big box of horses 'taint doing that crack any good.

Ed in 'ol Virginny

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

I totally agree with you that gusset is a major strengthening piece, it's welded solid all the way around, it looks like the welder came off his mark just a tad as he finished the turn and the weld just caught the edge. I think your worrying about nothing. The superficial crack isn't even on the transom corner of the gusset.

 

[relstabw]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

As far as the crack goes,I would be carefull who I had weld that boat. Any weld will be stronger than the surrounding area and the heat may cause additional cracking. If not done properly the area around the weld may become brittle also. When I had an aluminum boat I fought cracks in the same area. The previous owner had welded them. It cracked again next to the weld. I cut strips of aluminum and riveted them under the crack to strengthen the area and then used a cold weld epoxy around the area. I had no more cracks for 2 years and sold the boat to a friend so if it had any new cracks I'd know about it.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

I really do not think that the crack is from the trailer in any way and I think it is probably cosmetic, superficial at best...

 

[Pas Bon]

Re: Do these bunks extend too far?

you can also drill a hole at the end of an aluminum crack to keep it from running, kida like they do on a craked windshield