Need Bunk Adjustment Help Please

[Arnoldsw]

Hi Guys/Girls,

***The trailer is not too Narrow****

Long story but I got into a car/trailer accident the day after Christmas. The trailer was totaled but the boat survived. My insurance company and the insurtance company of the guy who hit me bought me a brand new trailer and fixed the boat. I love the trailer ? disk brakes, very solid!

I realize things have to be tweaked. The problem is that I live all the way in Orlando, FL and I cannot take the boat back to Bradenton, FL where the accident happened and where I received a new trailer and the fixed boat.

Can any of you take a look at the following pictures and tell me if you think the bunks are adjusted OK? My boat has a lot of contours on the hull. The first time I trailered it, the bunks were adjusted more inward but they were sort of really close to the contours. I drove away from Bradenton and the whole boat shifted to one side. The marina guys then moved the bunks all the way out. It rides solid but I notice that the stern starts floating when the trailer is still fairly far out of the water. This means that I have to leave the trailer pretty far out of the water when trying to re-trailer the boat from the water. Otherwise, the stern is still floating and swinging around and I cannot get it adjusted on the bunks properly. I also had to move the winch mechanism downward after the bunks were moved all the way outward because the whole boat dropped downward when sitting on the trailer (see picture 813). You have to take a good look at the contours on picture 815 (just to the left of where the bunk is resting on the hull - that's the contour I am talking about). Sorry but I should have removed the transom straps before taking these. I hope this makes sense.

If this is not right, please tell me how to adjust the bunks.

Thanks

 

[NYGiants]

Re: Need Bunk Adjustment Help Please

trailer looks a tad too narrow for the boat. ideally you want two sets of bunks instead of the bunk hanging over the wheel wells

 

[Arnoldsw]

Re: Need Bunk Adjustment Help Please

Hi. Trailer is not too narrow. The bunks are not hanging over the wheel wells. This traileer is from Ace Trailers (www.ace-trailers.com) and is great quality. The pix might be misleading. The boat is close to the fenders but that is because the bunks were moved all the way outward and the boat is sitting low on the trailer.

Please disregard the previous post as a solution to the problem.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Need Bunk Adjustment Help Please

I agree the trailer is not too narrow and it does look to be a very high quality product.

But, personally, I don't like the design of the bunks, because it doesn't look like it would load and launch very easily. Full length bunks cradle the boat better. Having those little keel bunks forward would seem to place the center of gravity in a precarious position. Also, the large bunks stick out beyond the transom too far. Either the boat needs to be moved aft, or the bunks moved forward.

The web site says that they have custom designed trailers for many boats. Why don't you call them up with your make and model boat and let them tell you the best positions.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Need Bunk Adjustment Help Please

The small front bunks help to center the hull when loading.
I think the longer bunks could be adjusted to ride just inside those rear strakes in the hull.
It does not look bad from the rear pics the way it is though.

With any new trailer you will need to learn the best depth for launch and retrieve.It will not act the same as the old trailer.

 

[QC]

Re: Need Bunk Adjustment Help Please

I agree with Gary. I wish somebody would total one of my trailers . . .

 

[mike343]

Re: Need Bunk Adjustment Help Please

I personally don't like the two bunk approach where they are positioned outside the planing strakes. For a boat that size I'd want bunks under the motor mounts also. Much better load distribution without all the bending moments on the hull.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Need Bunk Adjustment Help Please

A couple of thoughts. If the stern floats before one backs very far into the water, that usually is a sign of a too steep boat launch. Maybe you can find a boat launch with a more gradual slope.

Regarding the bunks, I prefer bunks that have the flat wide side of the bunk against the hull. It looks as if your bunk set up places the narrow side of the bunk against the hull. That creates less friction between the bunk and the hull and allows more unwanted movement on the trailer and when loading/unloading. It also may place more stress on the hull.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need Bunk Adjustment Help Please

It rides solid but I notice that the stern starts floating when the trailer is still fairly far out of the water. This means that I have to leave the trailer pretty far out of the water when trying to re-trailer the boat from the water. Otherwise, the stern is still floating and swinging around and I cannot get it adjusted on the bunks properly.

Ayuh,... Install a set of tall guide-ons,+ be Happy with your new trailer....

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Need Bunk Adjustment Help Please

A couple of thoughts. If the stern floats before one backs very far into the water, that usually is a sign of a too steep boat launch. Maybe you can find a boat launch with a more gradual slope.

Regarding the bunks, I prefer bunks that have the flat wide side of the bunk against the hull. It looks as if your bunk set up places the narrow side of the bunk against the hull. That creates less friction between the bunk and the hull and allows more unwanted movement on the trailer and when loading/unloading. It also may place more stress on the hull.

+1 on adjusting the bunks so the flat side is against the hull.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Need Bunk Adjustment Help Please

+1 on adjusting the bunks so the flat side is against the hull.

absolutely. I dont understand it otherwise unless you need the extra height to clear the fenders. you want the 4" or 6" side against the hull if possible. more surface area to distribute the stress and the load.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Need Bunk Adjustment Help Please

I agree with posters 8, 10, 11. Basically you need the flat side against the fiberglass to spread the load to the hull better.

Second, the brackets should be articulated so that the bunks lay flat against a large portion of the hull. Looks like a great trailer but it seems the setup is just a little awkward and weird for your boat.