Trailer Question - 23'

[abl1111]

I have a 23' Tsunami with an older trailer that I use (2)X a year - in/out - no more than 3 miles round trip.

The trailer is an old Rocket, that has had some good 'ole boy ingenuity put in: it's a 'fusion' of a bunk w/ keel rollers. It ain't really pretty...

The 12" keel rollers seem to give me a problem in that it's tough to get the boat centered just right - or the roller bracket will scratch the hull. Usually the 3rd roller from the rear does the damage.

People from the site have given me input before, i.e. bring bunks to center more etc. ( I can't do this due to my raw water strainer being in way - it's an i/o ).

I was wondering - do I need keel rollers at all ?

And, if not, what is the best thing to put on top of the bunks to get the boat up and on ?

How far do you drive your boat up on the trailer before you have to winch ? Can you winch this heavy hull onto bunks ?

I have thought of as many ways as I can to line the "V" of the hull perfectly, but none seems adequate...

Any help here ?

[Old'sCool]

Stoltz makes a 12" urethane self-centering roller that worked for me. It looks like it has a really coarse thread cut into it.

[Blue_Heron]

I have thought of as many ways as I can to line the "V" of the hull perfectly, but none seems adequate...

Any help here ?

Leave the main bunks alone and add forward keel bunks made of 2x6. Guaranteed to center you on the trailer every time. I got the idea from someone else here on CSC a couple years ago. Looks like this:

[Islandtrader]

Leave the main bunks alone and add forward keel bunks made of 2x6. Guaranteed to center you on the trailer every time. I got the idea from someone else here on CSC a couple years ago. Looks like this:

I did the same thing for the 21 and it works great.

[DonV]

Ditto and double ditto. I had the same front V-bunks installed on my new trailer a couple of years ago. The only thing I did different was I took off the carpet and used plastic bunk slides on top of the wood. No marking, easy slide on/off and no wet carpet against the hull.

[abl1111]

Thx guys. I'll give it a try. And for bunk carpet / plastic 'glides' - which do you recommend ?

How high and thick are your bunks ? Mine are 3" thick x 8" high.

Island - where'd you get your trailer hardware, i.e. V bunk brackets ?

Not being a trailer guy - just in / out and never shown how it's done ( just basic know-how ) - how far in should I put the trailer in the water when I try to load ? I always wondered if I was in too deep ( or not enough ) ?!

[Blue197320]

another vote for forward v bunks. going to do it to my other boat too when funds allow.

[Islandtrader]

Island - where'd you get your trailer hardware, i.e. V bunk brackets ?

Local trailer shop. The whole kit was $125 and $150 installed.

[abl1111]

Going to do the V bunks. I think that will do it.

I have 8" support bunks right now. Is there a benefit to changing these to 10", or 12" bunks ?

[abl1111]

Quick question - working on the trailer and then splashing boat tomorrow - won't use trailer hopefully till LATE Fall.

I have a modified bunk trailer w/ keel rollers.

I am installing V bunks to help my boat align better when loading. These V bunks will not be for weight at all - but more for helping to center and guide the boat.

I'll have the keel rollers too - not so much for a lot of support but more to keep keel from possibly touching the trailer.

My questions:

- Should the V bunks run from the end of the trailer to the first forward roller ? I was thinking of using 10' per V bunk. Or, is that too much ?

- which is the best set-up for the V bunks to assist in centering the boat while loading ?

- I was thinking of using decking material as the V bunk material... Any thoughts ?


Thx