I just recently purchased a 1992 Sea Nymph FM160 with a 50 Evinrude. Although I have not had it off the trailer yet (and probably won't before winter) I can tell that the bunks are probably on their last leg and need to be replaced.
The bunks are about 7 feet or a little longer. I've been reading some posts about those screw on plastic strips that help make loading the boat easier. I know my boat isn't all that heavy but I will be using the boat by myself a fair amount and would like to be able to just push the boat off the trailer with a rope attached in these instances and thought the glides would make it easier.
I then found some plastic/poly 2x4 themselves which would not require any wood at all. They would be about 88.00 for 2-8 footers and I may need to cut them down a little. I have not done the math yet, but if you figure a couple of marine grade 2 x 4s, new carpet, glue, and the plastic slides it might be almost as cheap (and easy) to use the plastic 2 x 4s to begin with.
Here is a link to what I've been looking at. http://www.ultimatebunkboards.com/
I guess I have 3 options.
1. Redo with new wood and carpet.
2. Redo with new wood, new carpet, and plastic slides.
3. Redo with plastic 2 x 4s as shown the site listed above or similar.
Other questions:
I've seen lumber yards start to carry composite lumber for decks. I wonder if this material would be less expensive and do a similar job as the plastic marine bunks?
I've read some places that the slides should not be used on riveted boats. I assume this is primarily because of the rivets catching on the countersunk screw locations. ?? I emailed the ultimate bunk boards place and they said riveted boats are fine. (Of course....they are trying to make a sale though.)
If I use the plastic 2x4s, that will lower my boat on the trailer slightly. (by the carpet thickness) I already have some concerns about my trailer set up. I have 2 8" keel rollers. (standard black flat and raised at the ends....not V roller) The back one looks brand new and the front one is in bad shape. The keel is resting on the front roller but I'm uncertain how much weight is on it. My assumption is that it is too much because it is damaged and flattened out. I plan to replace them both with the yellow poly V-type but think that will raise the front keel slightly since those rollers are a little thicker. My trailer does not have adjustable bunks or roller brackets so I don't know if lowering the bunks a 1/4" and raising the keel about a 1/4" or 1/2" about the same is enough to worry about but in theory would put more weight on the front roller and the bunks may not fully rest against the boat. Again, I've never had the boat off the trailer yet so I really don't know how it will even load as is. I guess I should replace the rollers first and see what it looks like before I tough the bunks.??
I'm tight but yet I will spend a little extra if something warrants the extra cost. I'd like to hear your thoughts, opinions, suggestions, comments, experiences, etc.
Sorry to be so windy.
Thanks
The bunks are about 7 feet or a little longer. I've been reading some posts about those screw on plastic strips that help make loading the boat easier. I know my boat isn't all that heavy but I will be using the boat by myself a fair amount and would like to be able to just push the boat off the trailer with a rope attached in these instances and thought the glides would make it easier.
I then found some plastic/poly 2x4 themselves which would not require any wood at all. They would be about 88.00 for 2-8 footers and I may need to cut them down a little. I have not done the math yet, but if you figure a couple of marine grade 2 x 4s, new carpet, glue, and the plastic slides it might be almost as cheap (and easy) to use the plastic 2 x 4s to begin with.
Here is a link to what I've been looking at. http://www.ultimatebunkboards.com/
I guess I have 3 options.
1. Redo with new wood and carpet.
2. Redo with new wood, new carpet, and plastic slides.
3. Redo with plastic 2 x 4s as shown the site listed above or similar.
Other questions:
I've seen lumber yards start to carry composite lumber for decks. I wonder if this material would be less expensive and do a similar job as the plastic marine bunks?
I've read some places that the slides should not be used on riveted boats. I assume this is primarily because of the rivets catching on the countersunk screw locations. ?? I emailed the ultimate bunk boards place and they said riveted boats are fine. (Of course....they are trying to make a sale though.)
If I use the plastic 2x4s, that will lower my boat on the trailer slightly. (by the carpet thickness) I already have some concerns about my trailer set up. I have 2 8" keel rollers. (standard black flat and raised at the ends....not V roller) The back one looks brand new and the front one is in bad shape. The keel is resting on the front roller but I'm uncertain how much weight is on it. My assumption is that it is too much because it is damaged and flattened out. I plan to replace them both with the yellow poly V-type but think that will raise the front keel slightly since those rollers are a little thicker. My trailer does not have adjustable bunks or roller brackets so I don't know if lowering the bunks a 1/4" and raising the keel about a 1/4" or 1/2" about the same is enough to worry about but in theory would put more weight on the front roller and the bunks may not fully rest against the boat. Again, I've never had the boat off the trailer yet so I really don't know how it will even load as is. I guess I should replace the rollers first and see what it looks like before I tough the bunks.??
I'm tight but yet I will spend a little extra if something warrants the extra cost. I'd like to hear your thoughts, opinions, suggestions, comments, experiences, etc.
Sorry to be so windy.
Thanks
