from bunks to rollers

[sasanm]

Guys, I am restoring an old 19 ft alum fishing boat and I decided to do the trailer as well. I have several questions which I thought you might be able to help with. First I bought some bunk rollers 5ft to replace my existing bunks which are about 8 ft long. Do I need two sets or haveing less length doesn't make a big difference. Also should the rollers be more towards the back or the front of the boat. I am atttaching a pic to get a better understanding. I am also going to be replacing the center rollers as well, should I go with the self centering? Last as you see on the pic the previous owner weled side bunks to the trailer> I am thinking about cutting them of because they have served a purpose other than putting dents in the front of the boat if I go in on a bad angle because they are so high up. Let me know what you think.
THanks!

 

[reelfishin]

Re: from bunks to rollers

If your only using one pair of those roller bunks, then they would go to the rear of the trailer where the most weight is. I would try to position those as flat or level as they can be, they don't roll very well when on an angle.
I had a few trailers with those that were arranged inline, on a slight angle and the boat was about impossible to move once on the rollers. I converted that trailer to full wobble rollers. It's been my experience that those roller bunks are best suited for boats that are either flat bottomed or those that have an outer chine in which the roller bar can sit level when contacting the hull.
You will miss those side bunks if you cut them off, maybe a redesign is what's n order, or maybe replacing those with a set of guide poles. Self centering keel rollers are great too.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: from bunks to rollers

I'd cut them side bunks off there in a heartbeat.

There so high do they even touch the boat.

What a pain while launching and loading at a floating dock, them things getting in the way of you lines.

Sawzall here you come.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: from bunks to rollers

NSBCraig that statement depends one where he is launching. i like my higher than normal guide ons. we have some really steep ramps.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: from bunks to rollers

Personnally I think guides are great, this design may not be the best, but if I took those off I'd put some back on. All my trailers have them, when launching in rivers, and bays, you run can into strong side currents at times and guides make it much easier. Plus if you're new to putting a boat back on a trailer, it can make the experiance much more enjoyable, with less damage to the boat and marriage.

My trailers all have bunks also, for my boats bunks just work much better.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: from bunks to rollers

If the height is a problem, you could just flip the mounting hardware and mount them under the frame instead, then simply adjust them to fit your boat properly.
If not, loose the boards and use the rear poles with some PVC as rear guide poles only. They were probably mounted hight to fit just below the rub rail and so they are visable when in the water. I like mine quite a bit lower but I know what you mean about denting up the bow on an aluminum boat. You would probably be better with a plains set of guide poles that only contact the rub rail.

Something like these would work, but you could probably adapt what you have just as well.

http://tinyurl.com/6hz2dk

 

[sasanm]

Re: from bunks to rollers

Guys,
THanks for the info. Here is what I am going to do. I will try the roller bunks but I will keep them as flat as possible. If they don't work well I can always go back to the bunks. As for the side bunks I cut the posts to about half the height so they are closer to the rub rail. I will also try to get them closer to the boat using spacers inbetween the post and the bunk. If this does not work I will cut the whole thing off and buy a roller style. I will let you know how it works.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: from bunks to rollers

just be sure to never disconnect the bow from trailer until boat is in the water, and bow is connected before pulling out of the water, unless you want your boat sitting on the ramp, high & dry. voice of experience.

 

[sasanm]

Re: from bunks to rollers

Thanks TD for the advice I hope I remember it.