Trailer Bunk Fitment

[1BadTundra]

I've always been told that the bunks should overhang past the boat at least 2" to ensure there is proper support on the transom. On my 212x and Shorelander trailer, this is not the case. My rear bunks are about 5" away from even touching the back of the boat. Is this correct for these boats?

 

[AlpharettaRK]

I never heard that. This is my 4th boat - all different flavors and I am sure the bunks on none of them extended past the boat. What you describe is the way mine sits on trailer. Personally I think it's good that they stop short of the ride plates or whatever those black plates are called

 

[drewkaree]

I've always been told that the bunks should overhang past the boat at least 2" to ensure there is proper support on the transom. On my 212x and Shorelander trailer, this is not the case. My rear bunks are about 5" away from even touching the back of the boat. Is this correct for these boats?

This may be appropriate advice for an outboard, which seems like it would make sense. The additional bunk support could help with the downward force of the motor. Not certain of this, but it sounds reasonable. That being said, if that's the actual reason, then you'd consider where your motors are placed, and look at what else from that point back would stress the transom.

I think @Bruce or @Betik replaced their rear bunks with longer boards, and it helped with recovery at the launch, and centering the boat sooner, so there's at least some reasoning behind going with longer bunks, if you wanted to. If/when the time comes (or I have a need to fill my time with more stuff to do), that's the reason I'd consider going with longer rear bunks. @AlpharettaRK shows a possible reason not to, as well, if you're at all concerned about that.

 

[Neutron]

After moving my bow stop to get the tongue weight within reason, my bunk boards were about 6 inched from the transom edge. When i replaced my rotted bunk boards i made them longer to get to the edge now.
On these there isn’t as much transom weight as boats with a outboard or sterndrive hanging off

 

[Bruce]

I think @Bruce or @Betik replaced their rear bunks with longer boards, and it helped with recovery at the launch, and centering the boat sooner, so there's at least some reasoning behind going with longer bunks, if you wanted to.

I stuck with standard length. I believe they were 5' in the aft and 10’ fore for my 230. I am approaching another bunk change.

 

[drewkaree]

twas @Betik but not the rear bunks that I was thinking of, it was the forward bunks. Mebbe make 'em all longer!

https://jetboaters.net/threads/extended-center-bunks-you-ouch-to-give-it-a-good-thought.17685/

 

[1BadTundra]

This may be appropriate advice for an outboard, which seems like it would make sense. The additional bunk support could help with the downward force of the motor. Not certain of this, but it sounds reasonable. That being said, if that's the actual reason, then you'd consider where your motors are placed, and look at what else from that point back would stress the transom.

I think @Bruce or @Betik replaced their rear bunks with longer boards, and it helped with recovery at the launch, and centering the boat sooner, so there's at least some reasoning behind going with longer bunks, if you wanted to. If/when the time comes (or I have a need to fill my time with more stuff to do), that's the reason I'd consider going with longer rear bunks. @AlpharettaRK shows a possible reason not to, as well, if you're at all concerned about that.

You may be on to something... My past boats were outboards, that must've been the reason for the transom support.

 

[1BadTundra]

I stuck with standard length. I believe they were 10' in the aft and 5' fore for my 230. I am approaching another bunk change.

10' rear bunks? That's almost double the length of mine.

 

[Bruce]

10' rear bunks? That's almost double the length of mine.

Good point, I got that backwards. 5’ in the back, 10’ in the front.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/replaced-bunks-on-mfi-trailer.1927/

 

[AlpharettaRK]

You may be on to something... My past boats were outboards, that must've been the reason for the transom support.

Lots of folks with outboards add something like this when trailering for that reason. No need on our boats!

 

[1BadTundra]

Good point, I got that backwards. 5’ in the back, 10’ in the front.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/replaced-bunks-on-mfi-trailer.1927/

Mine are 7' in the front, and 5' rear. That's set up for my 212x