BUNK BOARD HARDWARE...galvanized vs SS

[prc03sx195]

I am replacing my bunk boards and trying to decide on whether to use 1.5"x5/16 stainless steel carriage bolts or galvanized ones. The cost difference in 48 bolts is like 3 times plus the nuts and washers. I only go to the lakes and never near any saltwater. Should I spend the extra money or go with the galvanized? What would you do?
Thoughts please.
paul

 

[robert graham]

Re: BUNK BOARD HARDWARE...galvanized vs SS

For fresh water the galvanized bolts should outlast your trailer and boat...they hold up darn well in saltwater also. Stainless is nice, but definitely over-kill in your application.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: BUNK BOARD HARDWARE...galvanized vs SS

+1. SS would be nice and shiny, and certainly wouldn't hurt anything, but is it worth paying 3xs as much...probably not. As Robert said, galvanized holds up pretty darn good, even in salt water. I go in both with equal regularity, and my trailer hardware has been fine for years and years. I make sure to rinse it off after a trip to the beach, and I try to zap everything with some oil once a month, or so but that's about it.

 

[Bart Hawk]

Re: BUNK BOARD HARDWARE...galvanized vs SS

I always go stainless, galv always needs grinded off. (I live on the beach so even my cell phone battery gets rusted)

I heard Galv is stronger than stainless but I have hear alot.

For a lake save the $ get the galv.

I need to do mine to.

 

[slowleak]

Re: BUNK BOARD HARDWARE...galvanized vs SS

Chances are if you use stainless, they'll still be good the next time you need to replace your bunks.
Be careful when using galvanized hardware since its not usually graded very high, although for bunk boards your probably fine with anything.
For freshwater I got away with plain cad plated bolts for more than 10 years, when I replaced my bunk boards I took each board and coated it with epoxy paint, then carpeted it and I used cad plated bolts which I also painted with the epoxy paint. They looked the same as the day I first did it when I sold it. Those were under a 16' aluminum bass boat that weighed no more than 1500 lbs fully loaded.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: BUNK BOARD HARDWARE...galvanized vs SS

Another no need to use SS hardware for this.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: BUNK BOARD HARDWARE...galvanized vs SS

I went with the SS hex bolts and washers from the top and washers and lock nuts on the bottom. Maybe overkill but I figure I can use them again if I ever change the bunk boards on this pontoon trailer again. I used spar urethane to water proof the boards and after I got all of the boards bolted on I filled the bolt holes with 3M 5200. WOW! 48 bolts --What kind of a trailer are you rebunking? I only used a dozen.

 

[prc03sx195]

Re: BUNK BOARD HARDWARE...galvanized vs SS

It is an Eagle trailer for a 19' boat. It would need 40 bolts, there are 3 metal pads with 4 holes for the two long boards and 2 metal pads with 4 holes for each of the 2 short boards (that is if I put a bolt in each hole).

My other question is on carpet glue. The only thing I could find at Home Depot was called Roberts indoor/outdoor carpet glue. I was told to use Titebond but HD said no way that is not the right stuff. I want to glue and staple the caret down. Let me know if this glue is ok. Thanks

paul

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: BUNK BOARD HARDWARE...galvanized vs SS

I used the liquid nails construction glue in the tube with my caulking gun. I don't know what other people use but it seems to work well for me. I just wanted to use something that would keep the carpet tight to the board. I used the stainless steel 1/2" staples from an electric staple gun. I went through several marking pens and dulled a couple of pairs of scissors cutting the carpet. I made my bunk boards 14' long for the 18' pontoon boat and I am beefing up the bunk board supports. The Tracker trailer only had three supports originally. Looked like the trailer was built more for a 16' boat.
Tom

 

[Thalasso]

Re: BUNK BOARD HARDWARE...galvanized vs SS

It is an Eagle trailer for a 19' boat. It would need 40 bolts, there are 3 metal pads with 4 holes for the two long boards and 2 metal pads with 4 holes for each of the 2 short boards (that is if I put a bolt in each hole).

My other question is on carpet glue. The only thing I could find at Home Depot was called Roberts indoor/outdoor carpet glue. I was told to use Titebond but HD said no way that is not the right stuff. I want to glue and staple the caret down. Let me know if this glue is ok. Thanks

paul

Galvanized securments.

I went here and now there will be no more carpet replacement/ staples/glue. Done in a hour. Old carpet off staples removed.
http://www.surfixinc.com/