Roller bunks

[fishin'nut]

I have a 2004 Legend 15 ft boat with a 2004 25 HP Merc on the back. The trailer has carpeted bunks but I was thinking about replacing the bunks with roller bunks. The reason I want to change the bunks is the boat is really hard to launch because of the carpet. I have to get wet every time time in order to get the boat in the water. Is this a good idea and if so should I go with 4 ft or 5 ft bunks? Thanks.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Roller bunks

I don't advocate for either type but I do have a preferance. I feel that mostly it's a personal choice for most people. Some swear by one and hate the other. I do not like pure bunk trailers because they just don't work for the way I trailer. Some of the ramps I use just aren't deep enough.

Let's start by asking, the trailer you have does it have keel rollers on it? Why do you say it's hard to launch?

Roller bunks may work fine for you and make it easier to launch and retrieve. They seem to work better on flatter bottom boats and those that don't have a lot of strakes on the bottom.

I went from a keel roller bunk traiker to an all roller trailer for the opposite reason you're asking. On shallow ramps it was just getting too hard on me to winch the boat back up with the bunks. Sure they are a bit more costly but it sure makes it easier on my shoulders, back and the ol ticker.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Roller bunks

two words
bunk slicks

roller trailers are great and roller bunks may be great but poly slides on your bunks will get the job done VERY well for a lot less work and money than converting.... they REALLY REALLY work well

my 28'er (9000 lbs) is on an all bunk trailer and I was playing hell getting it on the trailer... I only added two 4x6" pieces of poly right where the front of the boat was ripping up the carpet.... next time I loaded I took it easy coming on the trailer and still hit the winch stand so hard I was sure I would have serious damage (had none)

before this the only way to get on the trailer was to come in and nail full throttle on both engines as the boat touched the trailer(I am very much against powerloading) The winch was noticeably flexing the tongue of the trailer and bent the winch stand but the boat didn't move.

now it glides right on at just over idle.... soon I'll do poly on much more of the bunk surface and will actually be able to winch it on if I want.

Before the poly it took full throttle and steering back and forth to get OFF of the trailer too... now I can push it off by hand (barely)

BTW backing deeper is not an option at this ramp unless I want my trailer to fall off into a 2' hole at the end of the concrete

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: Roller bunks

two words
bunk slicks

I totaly agree. I personally do not like rollers at all. I feal that they create pressure points that can cup or warp the hull. Bunks create more support over a greater area.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Roller bunks

i have bunks on an 18' fiberglass boat and as long as you back up far enough to cover3/4 of your bunks with water it should float on and off pretty easily i winch my boat on and off everytime.
theres also a product for bunk carpet that makes it slippery you may want to look into that as well as inspecting for tears and bear spots in the carpet

 

[JimS123]

Re: Roller bunks

I have the American version of the Legend with a 25 as well. It's my Saturday boat that I often use alone, so it has to launch itself. My solo ramp is quite flat.

Always had roller trailers, but this one came with bunks, so I took it anyway, knowing I could easily fix it. I put 4 keel rollers on before I launched it the first time. I didn't like it.

Next I added bunk slicks. I have them on my 19' I/O and they work fine on the 2 stationary carpeted bunks, along with full keel rollers and the swinging roller bunks under the engine. I didn't like them either.

Lastly I replaced the crap carpeted bunks with full roller bunks. When I unhook the safety cable and the winch I need to push the boat with one finger. It rolls slowly back. By the time I get to the end of the dock (of course with the bow and stern lines in my hand) the boat meets me there and I tie up and then park the car.

No wet feet, no wet axle, no wet car.

I used the 4' bunks because that's what the trailer had originally.

PS - its been 4 years now. I inspect the hull frequently and I have no dents, scratches or otherwise issues with the bottom of the boat. Of course, its all properly adjusted and all the rollers can be turned by hand, thus no single pressure point anywhere.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Roller bunks

I have carpet bunks on an 18 foot fiberglass boat. (3000lbs launch weight.)
I use SLYDZ ON, which is a silicon type spray product.

On launch I just touch the bottom edge of the transom to the water,
The bunks are completely out of the water and dry.
Disconnect the winch strap, give it a good shove , and it launches slowly like a commercial tanker on the slipways.

On recovery only the tips (4") of the bunks touch the water.
I pull the boat partly onto the trailer with the dock lines.
The admiral attaches the winch hook and starts cranking.
She can get it within two feet of the bow stop, I finish the job.

I bought a two speed winch (5:1 and 16:1) for this season so the Admiral can do all the winching herself.

NEVER unhook the bow eye until you are ready to launch!!!
You may find the boat lying on the Ramp!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Roller bunks

I wonder now what the OP is thinking. Many good responses, ideas and examples yet no response from fishn'nut.

Anyways I also wonder how many of you believe me when I say I can't use a straight bunk trailer or even a striaght flat trailer when I launch. For me and where I launch I would have to back 200' into the lake before the bottom of the boat would even start to get wet. But hey, it's only a 3 minute backwards drive and it's also FREE!

 

[Jake007]

Re: Roller bunks

I must be the only one with deeper ramps where I boat. I kinda like stickier bunks when launching. The last thing I want is my boat rolling off on the ramp or highway. When I launch or retrieve, the first thing I do is back in so the bunks get completely wet. Then pull forward, unlatch my bow safety chains and hook, then slowly back in and she floats off easy. Loading, I also get the bunk completely wet than pull foward to 3/4 bunk under the water and she rides right up most of the way. Reach up and connect the bow strap and safety chain, winch the rest of the way.My trailer is setup with four bunks 2'x6'x8' long plus keel rollers.

With your 15' boat bunks should not be a problem launching. Try getting them wet when launching or retrieving it will help. As others have said then move to try the spray (I have never used this product but I may try) and then to the poly strips ( I have seen allot of good reviews from people on these). Suggest you try easy low cost mods first.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Roller bunks

I use SLYDZ ON, which is a silicon type spray product.

NEVER unhook the bow eye until you are ready to launch!!!
You may find the boat lying on the Ramp!

^^^ Yup, DON'T unhook the winch hook and chain until the boat is over water with siliconed bunks!!!

I bought a can of silicone spray and coated the bunks well, it's made launching and loading MUCH easier.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Roller bunks

also bunk rollers create pressure points on your hull and after awhile will create dents in aluminum and holes in fibreglass bunks when setup at the right angle will not.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Roller bunks

also bunk rollers create pressure points on your hull and after awhile will create dents in aluminum and holes in fibreglass bunks when setup at the right angle will not.

Why do people insist on repeating this? I have a 30 year old Lund that has been sitting on rollers it's whole life and I've never seen any sign of this on this boat. I also recently purchased a 25 year old Alumacraft that is also sitting on rollers and also no sign on this one either or any of the others that use rollers.

 

[fishin'nut]

Re: Roller bunks

Thanks for all the info everyone. I haven't been able to get to my e-mail all week but really appreciate all the opinions. I have decided to order the roller bunks and hopefully they will be here in a couple of weeks. My decision was based on hearing how much easier it will be for me to launch my boat. The launches here near Pembroke, Ontario, Canada are shallow. I only have a van to haul the boat and can't back it in far enough to get most of the bunks wet. Last year was particularly bad with exceptionally low water and it was a real pain to get the boat on and off the trailer. Again, thank you all for the advice and opinions. This website is a great source for boating info especially for a beginner like me. Keep up the great work. As I gain experience with boating, I hope to pass on my experiences both good and bad. Have a safe boating season.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Roller bunks

just remember not to unhook the bow eye from the safety chain before you back up

 

[JimS123]

Re: Roller bunks

just remember not to unhook the bow eye from the safety chain before you back up

That's in the trailer boater's procedure book regardless of whether the boat sits on rollers, bunks or old rubber tires!

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Roller bunks

That's in the trailer boater's procedure book regardless of whether the boat sits on rollers, bunks or old rubber tires!

just cuz its said in an owners manual doesnt mean people listen and if he is used to the bunks he might do it accidentally.
question for ya do you always do what your told jim s123
cuz im not

 

[JimS123]

Re: Roller bunks

just cuz its said in an owners manual doesnt mean people listen and if he is used to the bunks he might do it accidentally.
question for ya do you always do what your told jim s123
cuz im not

Oh you are so right. People just don't listen anymore. That's why there are so many accidents.

"I didn't know"..."I didn't think"...."I didn't get the book with the newtome boat."

When I was a youngin and knew it all, I never did what I was told cause I knew better. Couple of broken boats (and cars) later I wised up. Now that I'm an adult I try to research things before I do anything to find out the proper way, and then do it that way.

Ever see a guy lose an eye because he didn't follow the "book"? I have!

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Roller bunks

yup my dad got a nail in his eye and so did a guy i was working with cuz they werent wearing safety glasses at work because of that i wear mine all the time
and i have seen enough youtube vids to know not to unhook the bow eye till my boat is in water even though i have bunks

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Roller bunks

Just in case you have never seen it happen.

YouTube Video

Do not try to pull down the bow!
Attach the winch strap immediately to keep it from sliding back farther.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Roller bunks

Guess it's just a bad habit but removing the winch strap is always the last thing I do! And that is always after the boat is over the water.