Need suggestions for replacing bottom bunk covers

[TheShadow619]

I have a 19' fiberglass tri-hull. I need to replace the bunk covers that are under the boat. There is nowhere around here to rent a slip to get the boat off the trailer. Can I jack up the boat off the trailer safely? I'm thinking use something like a 2 foot square plywood and just raise one rear corner at a time enough to slip the bunks out of one side at a time. There are 4 bunks underneath, each about 8' long. Thoughts? Concerns? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I don't want to damage my boat. Thanks.

 

[MH Hawker]

Make 4 new ones, float it off at a ramp some place and beach it, replace the bunks, go for a ride then go home.

 

[AChotrod]

Thats what I did. Worked great and took 20min with a power drill.

 

[kjsAZ]

launching the boat is always the best solution. You can lift it up but you always run the risk it comes down hard with you as a buffer if you do something wrong. If someone asks me how to switch a boat from an old to a new trailer I tell them the same. As long as the old trailer makes it once again to the ramp you are better off. I once floated my boat for a trailer repair in a neighborhood man-made lake (3-4ft deep only) which fortunately had a way to back the trailer in.

 

[Chris1956]

It is very simple to block up a boat to paint it or replace the bunks. Drop the tongue of the trailer to the ground. Now place cement blocks under each stern corner. Fill in any gap with blocks, as best as you can. The highest part of the block should be padded with wood. Now lift the tongue, as high as practical.

You may already have enough clearance at this time. If not, make a Vee-shaped block of wood ( I use a 2X6 plus two 2X2 pieces of lumber to make it). Jack up the bow of the boat using a hydraulic jack, cement blocks, wood and the vee block. Jack it just enough to lift it slightly high enough to do the work.

As is smart, do not put your body parts between the hull and the trailer.