Classic SeaCraft Community - replacement trailer bunks material

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- - replacement trailer bunks material (http://www.classicseacraft.com/community/showthread.php?t=27835)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigeasy1 (Post 242474)

Denny, you as well as the other members on this site are amazing.The information and knowledge you supply is beyond incredible.I hope you're doing well.

Yes,we did speak about this issue a bit over a year ago. **I have tried everything when it comes to roller placement and weight distribution.**I've tried dunking the trailer and floating the boat on**. I've tried just backing the trailer in partway and even hardly in the water**,I've tried adjusting the spread on the rollers in several different ways**. I've put tall guide ons placed near the stern end,and they work fine in keeping the boat from going off center but don't help in keeping the hull from listing severly to the side(mostly to port)**

I think what I'm dealing with are a few different problems with this trailer. I think that even though its rated as a 6,500 pound capacity it is a little to small. I also think it doesn't have enough rollers.
The arms on the rollers are not very long so I can't get the spread I need.Also the bend on arms that hold the rollers aren't high enough to clear the lips of the steps(panels).so even if I could get the rollers close enough to the lip the arms would dig into the hull.
I gave some thought as to trying larger diameter rollers but with the price. The trailer is a SHORELINE and oem parts are not available.
I thought about buying a new trailer,but I have literally only a 1/4 mile to the launch ramp, so laying out a few thousand dollars for a new trailer seems un realistic.Hopefully the bunks will help.

Thank you all for your help.

Thanks Big. I'm familiar with Shoreline and even have one of their brochures. . . looks like they're sort of a cheap copy of the EZ Loader but without the patented self adjusting roller system, which is the key to a design that works well. Sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on what the problems are. The bunks should be a cheap and simple solution provided you have a good ramp where you can use the float on approach. Regarding parts availability, one option might be to buy EZ Loader type parts from this outfit. I've bought rollers, brakes and lights from them and they seem to have pretty good prices and service.
Denny

Be careful in Florida State Parks if you drive your boat on to your trailer, and then have someone hook it and then pull it up the ramp out of the way.

It is against the law in Florida to pull the boat up the ramp once it's on the trailer if there is anyone remaining in the boat.

I got a ticket for this in '05 at St. George Island State Park, and I took it to court to fight it and lost. You cannot even MOVE the trailer if someone is in the boat on the trailer. Stupid ticket only cost me $75, but I was hit with over $100 in court costs.

It seems a boat ramp in a state park is considered a "state roadway".

"It is against the law in Florida to pull the boat up the ramp once it's on the trailer if there is anyone remaining in the boat"

This is one of those, "you have to be kidding me" stories!! I can not remember a single time when I'm with other folks who either drive the boat on the trailer or if I'm the one who drives it on the trailer after the strap and safety chain is attached does not stay in the boat tilting up the engines, turning off electronics, etc. until the boat is pulled away from the ramp to let other boaters access to the ramp. Stupid ticket is the proper description.

It would be a long day at the ramp if I got ticketed for that as I would spend the rest of the day with the officer pointing out the next recipients.

Don't use that Trex Material. It will wrap and bend on you. Use Cypress.
Also you can make forward and transom V bunks that will settle the Hull in center every time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonV (Post 242512)

I would say, what would be more dangerous, being in the boat while someone pulls up the ramp, or jumping from the boat to the dock. I don't jump anymore.
Concerning being in a boat on a trailer, we were in a state park in Texas and it was interesting watching people in boats being pulled around the campground. Not talking one or two, but several different boats with multiple people in each one. Weird

Thanks Chuck, I doubt ill be able to find cypress in Western NY but maybe some of the old pressure treated 2x6's that have been in my garage for the last 5 years and that are nice and dry and straight will fill the bill.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigeasy1 (Post 242570)

Just hot coat it w epoxy and that will last.

I bought my bimini from a guy who restored an ole Mako from the 70`s.
Original float on trailer. The original owner had coated all of the hardware w a brew of roofing tar and kerosene. No corrosion.

Secret spilled.

I was also told the carpet on the bunks was actually old fire hose attached with monel staples. Lasts forever. They give the hose away.

Cheers,
Secret Sandy

Quote:

Originally Posted by gofastsandman (Post 242575)

I like the tip on fire hose for the bunks, looks like ill stopping at our local fire dept.Thr roof rar and kerosene mix made me laugh, only because I was looking at the mess on my work bench last week and wondered what to do with the open gallon of roofing tar that was sitting there with no lid on the can.
Being the hoarder that I am I just couldn't bear throwing it out.
Now thanks to you I've found a use for it. (Don't worry Sandy I wont tell anyone the secret)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigeasy1 (Post 242632)

Shhh

Todd said a long time ago.
What good is knowledge if you do not share it?