Trailer bunk slides for 19' deep vee.

[VooDoo]

Launching and recovering my boat is a bear especially where I cannot power it on to the trailer. It has carpet bunks. Was thinking of adding sliders over top the carpet. Have read where some people use pvc or composite deck boards. Anyone have experience with this?

 

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[MCF]

There has also been a product that snaps over the bunks made of some composite material or pvc that has been commercially available for over twenty years.    

[BC FD]

I am looking at putting Caliber bunk wraps on my trailer to make my 21’ Mako go on and off a little easier.
Not overly expensive and looks easy to install.


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[wgigs]

The manufacturer "Caliber" suggests not to use the wrap product on gelcoat/fiberglass hull boats. Has anyone seen this to be a problem ?

[BC FD]

Yup. Missed that part. Was talking to a rep about them a few months ago and he didn’t say anything about it. Wish I would have noticed. I was in Florida last week and I would have called the guy that made my custom trailer as some of his trailers have plastic on the bunks.
I’m guessing that the plastic may cause scratches in the gel coat.
Have to bite the bullet and call Florida tomorrow and see what my guy says I guess.
Was really hoping to get rid of the carpet this year.
Any other suggestions?


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[VooDoo]

I'm actually looking at 3/4" x 5" x 8' pvc trim board available at Lowes for about $20 ea. Says they can be cut and machined with normal woodworking tools. A bull nose edge could be routed on all edges. Screws counter sunk. These are made for outside use and have a 25 year warranty. I did find an article where someone made bunks out of these.

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[VooDoo]

Looks like this would be very similar to what the sliders are made from.

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[BC FD]

If it is like Trex or any of the other plastic decking stuff, it is as easy to work with as regular wood.

 

 

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[wgigs]

I have the same issue re. difficult loading the boat on the trailer with carpet covered bunks. I did notice that Caliber sells a product called Marine Slides which might work with deeper channels that decreases the chance of grit between the boat and bunk. 

[VooDoo]

There's a lot of different options for slides that go right over top of the old carpet. I'm actually looking at making my 8' bunks into 10' to offer a little more transom support. Probably put pvc board right over the new 2x6x10. I have an aluminum hull so theoretically this should work as well as the slides

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[lost a lure]

Buy a roller trailer

[BC FD]

Not an option. I put way to many miles on to not have my boat sitting on bunks.


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[wgigs]

Would rollers create pressure spots for some types of boat hull constructions or is this a non issue ?

[VooDoo]

Rollers have been known to dent aluminum hulls. Bunks offer a lot more support. The hull truth has several articles on using pvc, starboard, or similar plastics over wood bunks. Think I'm going to go that route.

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[VooDoo]

Also about the most economical route as well.

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[VooDoo]

Was originally going to go with pvc boards over top of the carpet. As fate would have it, I found a Caliber bunk wrap kit on ebay for a price I couldnt refuse. Took the boat to a local lake and launched it. With the help of a buddy we installed the bunk wrap and end caps on the existing boards over top of the carpet. About a half hour job. Took the boat for a test run came back and loaded on the trailer. Must say it reduced the friction by about 50%. Made for a much easier winch job. All stainless screws were included.

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[SylvanTroller]

I have read that people spray the carpet with silicon spray. Anyone try this?


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[VooDoo]

Wont last very long.

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[gasman2438]

HI I AM FRUGAL PERSON I HAD THIS  PROBLEM ON A COUPLE OF MY TRAILERS. I TOOK A OLD TRUCK BED LINER (FOUND ALONG ROAD) CUT THE BOTTOM INTO 4" STRIPS AND SCREWED TO THE BUNKS  WORKS GREAT NO MARKS ON MY BOATS. WATCH OUT WHEN YOU LAUNCH SLIDES RIGHT OFF ON THE RAMP!!!

[billye]

That’s what I did worked great


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