Trouble launching boat off bunks

[Georooney]

My 17' aluminum boat doesn't slide easily off the bunks. I have to back up and hit the brakes two or three times to get it to slide off. I changed the height of the bunks and even extended the trailer reach 2 feet, but that didn't do the trick.

I'm thinking of getting some teflon or other slip-type pads to install on the bunks. Anybody have any experiences with these? Any problems or recommendations?


Thanks in advance,

George

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

Roller trailer or shorter tires? Having the boat completely disconnected from the trailer when backing in doesn't sound like the brightest idea.

 

[sccatfish]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

Use silicone spray on the carpet.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

Go deeper, it will float off.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

uhmw strips drilled/counter sunk and screwed to the bunks will work just be carefull as uhmw dry has a little friction but when wet you had better be ready to launch.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

Going deeper isn't an option if the water is shallow. Besides, if you have to get your feet wet you're not enjoying boating.

Backup and hit the brakes works fine if you have help. Won't work if you're alone.

I have UHMW or "bunk slicks" on 2 of my fiberglass boats and they are a dream. When I tried them on my tinny, they didn't work worth a darn. BTW the instructions said not for aluminum boats - believe it or not I'm just reporting the directions. I tried it and they were right.

Replace the carpeted bunks with roller bunks. I did and now it comes off like greased lightnin...

And someone will most assuredly say it'll dent the hull but it didn't. And it didn't fall off in the parking lot either.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

X2 silicone spray. It works, so be ready on the first launch.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

Going deeper isn't an option if the water is shallow. Besides, if you have to get your feet wet you're not enjoying boating.

Backup and hit the brakes works fine if you have help. Won't work if you're alone.

I have UHMW or "bunk slicks" on 2 of my fiberglass boats and they are a dream. When I tried them on my tinny, they didn't work worth a darn. BTW the instructions said not for aluminum boats - believe it or not I'm just reporting the directions. I tried it and they were right.

Replace the carpeted bunks with roller bunks. I did and now it comes off like greased lightnin...

And someone will most assuredly say it'll dent the hull but it didn't. And it didn't fall off in the parking lot either.

thanks for the info on the uhmw i never thought that alluminum hull might be diffrent but it makes sense

 

[Georooney]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

Not sure about rollers, as this is getting dunked in the ocean (salt water).

Not sure what you meant by disconnecting from the trailer? I don't.....just had 2' added to the reach (the hitch).

Roller trailer or shorter tires? Having the boat completely disconnected from the trailer when backing in doesn't sound like the brightest idea.

 

[Georooney]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

Thanks, I'll try that.

Use silicone spray on the carpet.

 

[Georooney]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

Can't go deeper without getting the rear end of the truck in the salt water. Salt Bad!

Go deeper, it will float off.

 

[Georooney]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

Going deeper isn't an option if the water is shallow. Besides, if you have to get your feet wet you're not enjoying boating.

That's half the problem; the boat launch was built for amphibious planes, therefore minimum slope.

Backup and hit the brakes works fine if you have help. Won't work if you're alone.

Actually, it does work. I tie the bow rope to the rear bumper of the truck, then remove it and tie it to something else after the launch when I go to park the trailer.


I have UHMW or "bunk slicks" on 2 of my fiberglass boats and they are a dream. When I tried them on my tinny, they didn't work worth a darn. BTW the instructions said not for aluminum boats - believe it or not I'm just reporting the directions. I tried it and they were right.

Thanks for the heads up on that. I'll save my money and not buy them.


Replace the carpeted bunks with roller bunks. I did and now it comes off like greased lightnin...

Again, I don't know how the rollers will stand up to the salt water. I don't see many roller equipped trailers on the ocean.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

Use lower bunk brackets.

Drop the stern end lower than the bow end.

Moving the axle to the top side of the springs will put you 2+ inches deeper in the water.

Regular old car wax on the bunk carpet works well too, and doesn't rinse off.

Add a 3' folding tongue kit to the tongue. You may then need to move the axle further back to get adequate tongue weight, but that is a plus, as it will put the rear of the trailer even deeper in the water.

Dropping down to the next smaller size tire should save you an inch in trailer height, if you can do so and stay within the load rating.

There, now the trailer should be 3-7" deeper in the water and the boat should float off and on.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

Georooney, I'm in the same boat as you so to speak. The ramp at the end of our road is very shallow and has no slope and with the drought we've had this year the lake is down another12+ inches. Went out yesterday for the 1st time in weeks. By the time I had the trailer backed in as far as I could go the axles still were not getting wet! We were still able to launch and retrieve because we use a full roller trailer with a tilt bed. After we got into the water we had to paddle out almost 200' before it was deep enough to even drop the engine w/o the skeg scrapping the bottom.

Not suggesting you go out and buy a new trailer but rather an explaination as to why I have and use the trailer I have. Really hope you find a solution to your problem.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

Again, I don't know how the rollers will stand up to the salt water. I don't see many roller equipped trailers on the ocean.

That's the advantage of an all roller trailer. You don't need to back in that far. In my case I have about 20 rollers on my trailer but only the back 2 ever get wet. Quite easy to keep them serviced.

 

[pootnic]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

I never heard that you shouldn't use them on aluminum hulls.I did read something about riveted hulls but that was for them little strips and the rivets may catch in the gaps.You have me thinking now as I've had a peice of cutting board(1/2" X 4') but cut it into strips,so I could make 2-6' bunks.I know I've read a bunch of threads(20+),with people using this material on their bunks with aluminum hulls.I not doubting what was said,just that I know that alot of people are using that or even PVC board(on top of wood) and are happy with the results.I wish I tried it already so I could give you a personnal review,but there not even screwed to the 2X4's yet.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

I never heard that you shouldn't use them on aluminum hulls.I did read something about riveted hulls but that was for them little strips and the rivets may catch in the gaps.You have me thinking now as I've had a peice of cutting board(1/2" X 4') but cut it into strips,so I could make 2-6' bunks.I know I've read a bunch of threads(20+),with people using this material on their bunks with aluminum hulls.I not doubting what was said,just that I know that alot of people are using that or even PVC board(on top of wood) and are happy with the results.I wish I tried it already so I could give you a personnal review,but there not even screwed to the 2X4's yet.

The instructions didn't refer to riveted - just to aluminum. I bought the package anyway because i couldn't imagine why they wouldn't work.

The rivets was a "Duh" to me, so when I mounted the bunks I put them in a spot where there were no rivets. Worked like crap. The roller bunks I replaced them with work like a charm.

In contrast, my jetski (fiberglass) slides quite easily off the only bunk trailer I own (and have ever owned more than a week).

 

[oregoncruiser]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

X2 on replacing the carpet. I had the sameproblem with my glass boat. Just run your finbgers over the carpet when the boat is off of the trailer. You'll probably find it is not very smooth. I first sprayed it down with silicone and that worked great. Bunks were not perfect anyway, so I replaced them and of course threw new carpet on them as well. Boat loads great with or without silicone spray.

 

[JEBar]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

have you considered going to a tilt boat trailer ....

I once converted a trailer used with a 19' flat bottom aluminum boat to a tilt trailer and it worked really well

Jim

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Trouble launching boat off bunks

my friend had a jet ski trailer he brought it to work on day and we cut out the front tube and fabricated a tube that another tube could slide inside. when he took the jet to the dock with his mustang he choked the trailer wheels pulled a pin and drove forwards till it thumped then put the pin back in and removed the chock. his trailer ended up 7' longer on the hitch so the car didnt have to go down on the green stuff when he launched. it just seems that any problem can be over come with a little effort