Make sure your bunk position is correct.

[Salmonseeker]

I just want to reinforce the importance of your trailer bunks either being flush with the transom or extend slightly beyond it.

I read a few old posts regarding this and thought I would check mine out. The transom over hung the bunks by a little less than 2 inches. I thought to myself this must be alright being so little after all the dealer set it up this way.

After thinking about it for a day, I decided I would check the hull. Sure enough the hull is actually dented in right where the bunk board stopped. My boat is very stern heavy compared to the rest and I guess all the weight pressing on this section actually bent the hull in. I know if the transom was on the edge of the bunk this could have been avoided.

This is not even a heavy boat, it is a 16' aluminum fishing boat with a 50HP outboard.

It has been like this for 3 years now and it appears there is no damage except for the indented hull. The tongue weight is a little on the light side so I will move the bow stop forward about 3 inches to fix this problem.

I am a little upset the dealer would set up a boat like this.

A lesson learned, I am glad I caught it before any more damage occured.

Thank You again iboat members.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Make sure your bunk position is correct.

i also like to use 2x6 turn flat for bunks on aluminum boats.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Make sure your bunk position is correct.

When I purchased mine, it was accually over the back about a foot. There were some gel coat cracks for sure back there but I didnt see any real damage. I moved the winch up and now the transom is dead even with the back boards

 

[Mr. Ross]

Re: Make sure your bunk position is correct.

Great advise for sure, most dealers I have purchased from think six or so inches protruding over the bunk is ok, that is plain bunk!

Same deal with roller trailers, just make certain the very aft most roller is not too close to the edge or it may flop over it and cause a problem.

One exception to this is the inboard boat. Most of the weight is at the engine and transmission and generally a large area of the trailer is open under the prop shaft(s). My Silverton extends almost a foot beyond the rear bunk but during storage I use hull jacks at four points to help support her. Not really a necessity as there is no weight in that area but I have the jacks so....