Lifting boat of trailer for trailer maintenance.

[Rickala]

Does anyone know if the built in transom and keel eyes will tolerate lifting the boat up off the trailer for a day or so, so I can change the bunks? I would lift the front up first, and change the long bunks, than lift the rear up, so I can change the shorter ones.

Thank you, Rick

 

[Rickala]

Also, does anybody have experience with the polyethelene bunks? My only real fear with them, is that the boat with slide around on the trailer as I'm going down the highway. Potentially sliding up and back depending much more on the straps to hold it down and then the weight of the boat on the trailer.

 

[Bill D]

My trailer had the plastic bunk boards on it when I bought it. They had rubbed through the gel coat in several spots. I believe that others had a similar experience with them and have since changed back to regular bunks. For lifting the boat up, you could just use a floor jack at the center of the keel with a block of wood cut to a V. You wouldn't need to jack it up very high, just enough to get to the boards.

When I changed mine, I just used the courtesy dock at the lake one evening during the week. It only took me about 15 minutes to complete the job.

 

[McMark]

The best way is to put the boat in the water.

I wouldnt put much pull on the rear tie downs. Pretty thin back there. I'm even a little nervous I'm going to pull the bow eye out when winching up.

Go carpeted bunks.

 

[Smassey22180]

I jacked up one side and then did one long bunk. It had snapped in half and I could not go anywhere. I used 2 jacks, 2 jack stands and lots of 2x10s. I have done this several times with less than 20' boats. I won't do it again for a 23'.

For the next 3 bunks, my marina let me leave the boat in a slip for a day for free. I was able to do 3 in the same time the first one took. The bunk brackets are not adjustable and that requires the holes in the wood to be more precise and slows things up. Plus working from above is way more pleasant than crawling around.

 

[Bruce]

Years ago many owners switched ultimate bunk boards which I believe to be polyethylene later some of them found that they were losing gelcoat. Some carpeted their UBBs.

Here is my post about replacing the bunks https://jetboaters.net/threads/replaced-bunks-on-mfi-trailer.1927/

Personally I would prepare the boards and swap then at the ramp or leave the boat in a slip while you change them.

 

[Orang Ezazi]

best to leave the boat in water when you go change the marine carpet on the bunks.. avoid polymer strip, boat will not run off on road (if you tie it down front and back) but will leave mark on your gel coat... try to stay with marine carpet.. they are very cheap and should last you an other 10 years or so...

 

[Bill D]

I found a picture of what the UBB's left on my hull....

 

[Rickala]

For some reason, the carpet has scratched the front of the boat, on the sides of the keel.. Deep enough scratches, that they need to be sanded out.. Or ignored... I am having a lot of trouble getting the boat on the trailer level. It's always, and I mean always, leaning to the left... It's pissing me off. I have to reset the rear straps after a few miles..

 

[McMark]

Next time you're out, When you go to get your trailer to take out, brush the bunk carpet with a stiff shop brush. Or vacuum them if possible. They hold silt and that ends up scratching the gel. You could rinse them good if you have access to a hose where you park.

 

[itsdgm]

For some reason, the carpet has scratched the front of the boat, on the sides of the keel.. Deep enough scratches, that they need to be sanded out.. Or ignored... I am having a lot of trouble getting the boat on the trailer level. It's always, and I mean always, leaning to the left... It's pissing me off. I have to reset the rear straps after a few miles..

I always had to retighten my rear straps too. Until I welded my bowstop. It would move forward and backwards several inches. Check it when the boat is off the trailer and see if it's loose. If it is, the boat can slide forward and back a few inches on the trailer and this can cause the tie down straps to loosen.

Also, I agree with the other guys about changing the bunks while the boats off the trailer. However, I've read about one member securing the boat by simply using the trailers tongue jack. Start with the tongue all the way lowered. Block/crib up the stern of the boat. Then raise the tongue jack and secure the front/sides of the boat. Then you should be able to lower the tongue a bit and have the room you need to swap bunks. However, it's dangerous if the blocks arent set right.

 

[GTBRMC]

I always had to retighten my rear straps too. Until I welded my bowstop. It would move forward and backwards several inches. Check it when the boat is off the trailer and see if it's loose. If it is, the boat can slide forward and back a few inches on the trailer and this can cause the tie down straps to loosen.

Also, I agree with the other guys about changing the bunks while the boats off the trailer. However, I've read about one member securing the boat by simply using the trailers tongue jack. Start with the tongue all the way lowered. Block/crib up the stern of the boat. Then raise the tongue jack and secure the front/sides of the boat. Then you should be able to lower the tongue a bit and have the room you need to swap bunks. However, it's dangerous if the blocks arent set right.

@Rickala per @itsdgm comment above, I welded my bow stop a couple years ago and am very happy with the result. Details here: https://jetboaters.net/threads/the-...-jet-boat-today-thread.2661/page-7#post-55003

 

[robert843]

I just had to replace the bunk boards over 4th of july weekend. I rented a slip for one night left the boat in the water and replaced them. As someone else mentioned get the wood get it carpeted and ready to go. With the boat off the trailer and a drill you could replace the boards pretty fast if they are all prepped. I was in a pinch when I did mine and had to remove and replace all screws in the boards with just a ratchet by hand and still did it in about an hour with a drill I may have done it in 30 minutes carpet took a lot longer.

 

[Cambo]

Its a pain to get the boat off the trailer with jacks and blocking the problem is the front bunks are very close together. If you do it use boat stands and wood no cinder blocks, just drop it in the water