replacing bunk boards

[ldanielrrt]

Just wondering what everyone does to replace their boards. Do you launch the boat and do the repair in the parking lot at the lake or do you lift the boat off the trailer somehow?

 

[solmate]

Re: replacing bunk boards

I measured, cut drilled & carpeted all new bunk boards in garage. launched the boat & replaced in parking lot, make sure to have cordless sawzall or grinder as the old bolts can be a pain to take off. Took less than 1 hour to do in parking lot & good experience for the wife to get a feel for the boat by herself

 

[j_martin]

Re: replacing bunk boards

Parking lot is the usual method.

If you have a strong tree or other sky hook, you can park the boat so the front is under the tree, lower the tongue jack to the stop, put blocks under the stern of the boat, then put a strap around the boat bow, tied off to cleats or whatever to keep it from slipping off the bow, and lift it with a comealong or other small winching device. (yes, standing in the boat to do it) Then just pull the trailer out from under the boat. I do this if I have some serious spring work or welding to do.

It helps that I have a 16' boom truck for a sky hook, but I've done it in the shop with the overhead engine rail, and also a tree as described.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: replacing bunk boards

My favorite campground has a large parking lot and a free dock area. I did mine in the parking lot, but if the bolts, etc were a real hassle, i could have pulled the trailer up to my campsite and used the dremel tool. I did take a battery powered saw and a battery powered drill to the launch ramp parking. I actually just beached the boat near the launch ramp and that worked great. Probably an hour job if I milked it.

TerryMSU

 

[90stingray]

Re: replacing bunk boards

I took measurments of the old ones while the boat was still on it. Cut all boards to length, countersunk the bolts and installed bolts (use galvanized bolts.) Then a swipe of glue on the top to keep the carpet locked down. A 12" wide carpet will work well on a 2x6 with a 2" air gap at the bottom. Wrap the ends and hold tight with roofing nails. Use monel staples along the rest of the ends of the carpet. Drop the boat in the water and rip off the boards and sit your new ones on and tighten down. I put my boat in a slip for a week and ended up having the trailer sand blasted and i repainted it in the garage, then put my boards on. Easy to get carried away as always. BTW- i used plain boards (not treated) since the originals lasted 20 years. But either one will work fine... just watch the outdoor carpet glue. Most are not suitable for treated wood since its so wet. Also, i chamfered the very end of the back of all boards on the boat side, to give a less of a sharp edge... so less chance to rub thru carpet. Since they usually wear thru there first. Goodluck!

 

[wifisher]

Re: replacing bunk boards

i used plain boards (not treated) since the originals lasted 20 years. But either one will work fine... just watch the outdoor carpet glue. Most are not suitable for treated wood since its so wet.

Careful there. Treated wood and aluminum do not mix.