Off of blocks, on to bunks? An easy way?

[DianneB]

It seems to keep coming up (since I now have two boats and only one trailer) - how to get a boat from blocks on to a bunk trailer without straining anything.

I have an Ez-Loader bunk trailer and when we loaded my 21 foot Sylvan I/O from blocks on to the trailer, it was a @$#% of a pull! We tried loading the bunks up with snow (it was winter), dish soap, silicon and the boat did NOT slide easily on the bunks!

Saturday I am going to fetch 24 foot Lonestar cabin cruiser that is sitting on blocks and it is a LOT heavier than the Sylvan.

I am considering cutting the carpet off the bunks (hoping aluminium will slide easier on bare wood) and making an A-frame to sit on the front of the trailer so the winch strap helps LIFT as well as pull.

Any of you big boat wranglers got an simple way to make this process easier? (It isn't the last time I will have to do it....)

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: Off of blocks, on to bunks? An easy way?

With boats that size I think I'd be lookin' for another trailer.
Mike

 

[DianneB]

Re: Off of blocks, on to bunks? An easy way?

What would you look for in a trailer, rollers?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Off of blocks, on to bunks? An easy way?

The carpet is better then bare wood. I would not strip it.

You could even put motor oil on the carpet or strips of hard plastic.

Hint..... as you crank the boat have the truck back up once or twice during the process..... as soon as the boat is partway on the trailer it will help.

The other thing is the winch. There are cheap winches and good gear reduction winches with two speeds. Look at the difference at the ones in the iboats store http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Trailer-...0577766--**********.147314955--view_id.217616

 

[DianneB]

Re: Off of blocks, on to bunks? An easy way?

Thanks Bob - I will try the oil.

The trailer has a good two-speed winch. When we loaded the Sylvan we used the winch AND a come-along.

 

[wa_ssv197]

Re: Off of blocks, on to bunks? An easy way?

There has to be something better than oil. What about those UHMW bunk strips?

 

[DianneB]

Re: Off of blocks, on to bunks? An easy way?

I'd jump at bunk strips but I need to find something I can lay hands on by Saturday - if I can find 'em, I will buy 'em