Is this going to be a problem? Bunk board question

[jayhanig]

I had my trailer's bunk boards replaced last winter with the stipulation that they be placed low because of difficulties I had at my local ramp (which was improperly angled). I got my trailer back with the new bunks low... but so low that the hardware dragged when I transitioned from the flat parking lot to the angled ramp. This spring my town completely rebuilt the ramp and it is now properly angled.

So now I don't need the trailer so low anymore. With that in mind, I took it back to the people who did the work for me last winter and had them redo it so that the hardware would no longer drag. They did this but in the process they reversed the bunks so they could avoid having to replace anything. All of that was fine with me and the trailer now sits higher and no longer drags. My question is this:

Now the bunks end three inches shy of the very outside edge of my transom, so the boat overhangs the bunks by three inches. I've read about boats developing a hook from having an overhang but I wonder if my boat is at risk with this three inches. The boat is a I/O so while the engine weight is completely supported, the outdrive is out there. Admittedly it would still be unsupported even if the bunks came to the edge, so is this worth pursuing or not?

The guys who did the work deny it'll be a problem. I just don't have enough experience to judge whether they're being honest or just trying to blow me off. What do you guys think?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Is this going to be a problem? Bunk board question

I wouldn't leave it that way on my trailer. You're not supporting the transom and there is a lot of weight hanging on it

 

[Perlmudder]

Re: Is this going to be a problem? Bunk board question

You sort of have three options:
1. pay to have the bunks replaced properly
2. move winch stand fwd if possible and hope it does not create to much tongue weight
3. if you do not plan on having the boat very long, don't sweat it.

If it was me I would go for option number 2!

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Is this going to be a problem? Bunk board question

You sort of have three options:
1. pay to have the bunks replaced properly
2. move winch stand fwd if possible and hope it does not create to much tongue weight
3. if you do not plan on having the boat very long, don't sweat it.

If it was me I would go for option number 2!

Suppose I was to put the boat in the water tied to a dock for a couple of hours. That would allow me time to crawl up under the bunks and move them myself 3" aft. There are only the two bunks; one on each side and there is a good 18" forward of where they stop supporting the boat at the bow. The only downside I see is it leaves me with holes in the underside of the boards where they are presently connected to their brackets. What is the best way to deal with that? Should it be a concern as far as accelerating rot? I have no idea what they used under the carpet but I assume it's pressure treated pine. I could be wrong though...

If I move the boards 3" aft the tongue weight will be unaffected as the arm will remain the same length. Besides, I can't move the winch post any further forward than it is already. (That actually was my first thought to correct this.)

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Is this going to be a problem? Bunk board question

I wouldn't sweat a couple more holes in the boards.
However, maybe it isn't necessary. On my bunk trailers, there are L shaped brackets bolted to the underside of the bunks. Those brackets then mount to an upright bracket U bolted to the frame. You might be able to simply unbolt the L brackets from the bunks, flip them 180 degrees and bolt them back onto the boards in the existing holes. Going to the other side of the uprights will net another small improvement and get your 3" shift aft. It all depends on how your's are mounted and if the brackets are on in a direction that will allow you to flip them. Even look at just swapping the bunks 180 degrees to get the shift aftward. Just a thought...

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Is this going to be a problem? Bunk board question

Suppose I was to put the boat in the water tied to a dock for a couple of hours. That would allow me time to crawl up under the bunks and move them myself 3" aft. There are only the two bunks; one on each side and there is a good 18" forward of where they stop supporting the boat at the bow. The only downside I see is it leaves me with holes in the underside of the boards where they are presently connected to their brackets. What is the best way to deal with that? Should it be a concern as far as accelerating rot? I have no idea what they used under the carpet but I assume it's pressure treated pine. I could be wrong though...

If I move the boards 3" aft the tongue weight will be unaffected as the arm will remain the same length. Besides, I can't move the winch post any further forward than it is already. (That actually was my first thought to correct this.)

Just run lag bolts into the empty holes. Now your back to the exact same bunk board "integrity" as far as holes and rot potential.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Is this going to be a problem? Bunk board question

I don't think I'd worry about 3 inches.

Rollers never sit at the very edge of the transom, and the boats are fine. For years.

Think about how thick your transom is--that cuts your 3 inch "problem" down to what, an inch?

If the transom drops even a half an inch becuase the last 3" are hanging, you have much bigger problems back there.

If you just can't sleep knowing that your boat is deforming like a melting ice cream cone, move the winch forward 1 1/2 inches and split the difference.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Is this going to be a problem? Bunk board question

Move the bunks back 6" so you don't have to worry about it and be done with it.

The extra holes will make no difference at all as far as accelerating rot.