side bunk boards 4x4's

[Ciera2450]

Hi guys,
Fixing up the boat and trailer. 1985 Bayliner Ciera 2450 I have a triple axle trailer. My avatar pic kind of shows the trailer.
Anyways.....the outermost bunks are two 4x4's bolted together....some previous owner has replaced one side with landscaping timbers that aren't exactly the same dimensions as the other side!!! No clues why people do this crap to their boats and such.....
I'm thinking of replacing with a 4x8 solid piece (if i can find it). i'm thinking this would be more solid and provide a cleaner look when carpeted over...(which the current ones are not!)
I've seen 4x6's but having a problem tracking down the larger size.

any suggestions where to find 4x8 lumber?
No luck at local homedepot or lowes...even local lumber yard. i know they are out there

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

ours uses 2x6's turned flat and carpeted. do you have supports to do this or are yours fastened to the trailer frame?

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

they are hidden behind the fenders of the trailer...i'll try to find a pic of them........
The bottom bunks by the keel ARE 2x6's...I have the new ones cut and routered ready to go on when I find the 4x8's (or two 4x4's )

this pic shows the 4x4's

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

ok; i see what you need now.

 

[superbenk]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

4x8 seems excessively beefy. 2x8 wouldn't do the trick?

If you really want 4x8, it shouldnt be hard to find at a local lumber yard (actual lumber yard, not hardware store).

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

I was thinking of 2x8...would surely be much lighter. Ya think it would be strong enough? Its a 5,000lb boat. That would look nicer too IMO.

I actually went to the lumbar yard with a lumber mill directly across the street from it and they said the largest they carried was 4x6!!!! I was shocked. I thought they'd have whatever I wanted.
Thanks for the advice!
If a 2x8 is strong enough, i'd actually prefer that.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

in fact, only the innner edge of the 4x4 touches the boat anyways....Just don't want my boat falling on the fenders!

 

[jeeperman]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

The pic appears to show some rectangular tubing under the bunk wood?
Along with strap steel braces so that the wood does not flop over?
Your in Georgia, so you should have cedar and/or cyprus available.

Checkout your craigslist for custom lumber sawmilling guys.
Actually go talk to that sawmill across the street from that lumber yard.
The lumbar yard probably does not buy from them anyways.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

Yes, the rectangular tubing is the trailer frame, the boards or thru bolted to the frame along with (i think) three strap braces. Are the braces necessary if bolted every few feet? I suppose they don't hurt anything. Just dead space under there.
Thanks for the craigslist idea...i'll check it out.
I will try the lumber mill. Your probably right about the supply.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

Keep the braces, those bunks are too tall to do without them.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

thanks!
do you think the 4x8 is necessary? will 2x8 suffice? I'm trying to avoid using two seperate pieces. My concern is the 2x8 cracking in half or something. Pretty sure the boat puts a lot of pressure outward on these bunks.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

thanks!
do you think the 4x8 is necessary? will 2x8 suffice? I'm trying to avoid using two seperate pieces. My concern is the 2x8 cracking in half or something. Pretty sure the boat puts a lot of pressure outward on these bunks.

That is why you should keep those angled braces.
You could probably sandwich two 2x8's. You could add some vertical 2x4's on both sides of the 2x8's and sandwich all four together.
That way the grain of the 2x4's are perpendicular to the 2x8's.

 

[sschefer]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

I'd just sister up a couple of 2x8's with carriage bolts, carpet them and be done with it. Most of the ones I've seen are done that way.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

WAY overkill..... my 9,000 lb boat sets on two full length 2x8 bunks and two 4' 2x8 bunks... you definitely don't need 4x8 or any collection of sandwiched lumber for a 5,000 lb boat

 

[jeeperman]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

WAY overkill..... my 9,000 lb boat sets on two full length 2x8 bunks and two 4' 2x8 bunks... you definitely don't need 4x8 or any collection of sandwiched lumber for a 5,000 lb boat

Actually, I have seen boats on trailers down here from the factory/dealer with the massive, tall "timber" bunks.
Needed for keel clearence. Once the timbers need replacing, you still have to come up with something that is 8" to 10" tall.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

Still no luck finding a 4x8 timber.
I guess two 2x8's bolted and glued together would work ok. I'm worried one by itself would crack being as its standing on end. I do have those strap braces, but still dunno if one 2x8 is enough. May have to just replace the stacked 4x4's and be done with it. I think i'm overthinking this one!! lol

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

Find a saw mill. I stopped at a boat trailer manufacturer, (small one) custom orders and he gave me a phone number. The guy made me new ones to fit my needs. 5"x10"x10' made from pin oak and under 100 bucks for 2. With all the logging in Georgia I'm sure there around.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

I didn't realize they were on edge.... it's not a matter of cracking but rather surface area for the boat to set on... just bolt two 2x8's together and be done with it forget the glue

you are looking at somewhere in the range of 1-5 pounds per square inch of lumber surface area

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

thanks everyone for the input! I'm gonna go with two 2x8's bolted together. I'll post pics when I get it done. I have no way to remove the boat aside from putting it in the water at the marina. So, I will have all my new bunks cut, routered, sanded, and holes all drilled. I'll bring it all to the lake and swap out in the parking lot. Wrap in new carpet(already cut) and staple down. The admiral may have to take the boat out cruising so I'm not hogging up the docks. Shouldn't take long to change out the bunks tho.
Thanks again!

 

[emoney]

Re: side bunk boards 4x4's

Don't forget, it would be best to use stainless steel bolts (just in case you hadn't thought of that)