Rebuilding bunks

[PolishPrince]

I found a link to an old thread that probably answered some of my questions but it's no longer on the server.
Here goes....... I have a trailer for a 24' pontoon boat and two of the bunk boards have rotted out (only 3 years old) I've read several forums with all sorts of advice on which kind of lumber to use when replacing them. OH...............and they're just over 20 ft. too. (one piece)

• Use regular 2x4 pine lumber and they'll be fine.
• Use pressure treated lumber because untreated will rot
• Don't use pressure treated because of a chemical reaction between the treatment chemicals and the aluminum.
• Use regular lumber but slop on a couple coats of varnish

The ideal lumber would be cypress, but they do not come in 20 ft. lengths. I checked with a LARGE cypress distributor, and no they can not be specail ordered.
So weigh in folks. What do you do, or what would you do?

 

[bitterboater]

Re: Rebuilding bunks

2x10 doug fir and a couple coats of paint to seal it.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Rebuilding bunks

mine are 2x6"s but i dont have a pontoon either. I would just get the best straight pieces of untreated you can find and paint or seal them and carpet after that. I would think it would be worth it since it should last you 8-10 years i would think before you would have to think about it again.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Rebuilding bunks

When I had a pontoon I used untreated wood and painted them with a good quality paint and then put carpet on them. That was 8 years ago and the guy that has the pontoon says they are still looking good.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Rebuilding bunks

2x whatever size you want to use. Only about 1" of the pontoon on the inside and outside actually touch. Spaced properly, you could use 2x4. Personally, I used 2x6 white pine.Length is not a big factor. They can be joined at any of the support brackets. I recommend using 3 bolts on each board at the splice to eliminate any warping or cupping, AND, countersink the heads to prevent damage to the toon.