Trailer Bunks, Loose or tight????

[Betik]

I believe your trailer has fixed bunks, so it theory they should be symmetric and I cannot imagine that last time they were replaced they were seriously misaligned. It could be but it would take some skill. That being said, the way your boat is fine, it is not that I will worried that any damage will be cased or anything, I just think it is odd it is keep moving on one side.

 

[Seadeals]

I like the idea of the extended “flex bunks” @Betik installed. My carpet has started to wear through but the new boards I made last time are in good shape so I think I will just recover. I am curious about thoughts on chamfering the inner edge of the boards at the rear to lessen the pressure from landings since that would be easy before recovering.

 

[Betik]

I will look at mine but I don't think they are worn at the contact point.

Btw, on July 1st we were out at lake Texoma and the wind was up. I had to aboard the first attempt and the second one was borderline. By the time I thought I should abort it was too late and yet sure enough a small jolt and the boat centered itself.

 

[Seadeals]

I am going to route the inner edge and the back edge of the bunks before I put the new carpet on. The bow lands there with a much steeper angle than the bunks, so thinking it will lessen the stress on that part of the bunk if it is closer to the angle of the bow, especially when the ramp is shallow.

 

[jmargo]

You can see the inner wear on the carpet. A quick pass with a router seems like a good idea.

 

[Seadeals]

The bunks on the MFI trailers are fixed. The tabs that mount the boards are welded to the frame and the boards attach directly to that bracket (no pivot). That creates a real “hot spot” on the inner edge of the bunks When the bow hits, so I did route them with a 45 degree but to see if it wears less this time. The chamfer tapers. Went ahead and did the outer bunks too.

 

[jmargo]

You were serious. What did you use ?
My trailer has 2 10ft 2x6's up front and 2 5ft 2x6's in the back. Are yours the same ?

 

[buckbuck]

@Seadeals my bunks are wearing just like yours. I have been considering doing the same thing you did. Please report back on your experience.

 

[Seadeals]

Will do @buckbuck @jmargo i am luckily spending a week on the lake at my parents’. My dad is a serious woodworker so out came the router and a monster bit I am sure cost $50, followed by a belt sander to feather the three different depths we used to taper the edge. New carpet shows tomorrow.

 

[Betik]

A router makes it quick, but it can be done by hand too. Maybe a wood chisel and sandpaper will have the some effect just not as pretty finish. It will probably take the whole weekend to it by hand.

the best bank for your buck will be a cheap orbital sander.

 

[Seadeals]

All wrapped up.

 

[Betik]

if possible can you post an update at the end of the season, so we see if there is any wear at all

 

[Seadeals]

While I know I put much cheaper carpet on this time (CE Smith) I was still disappointed to see this wear so soon. The contact angles a must be quite different from what I figured and all my landings have been nice and smooth Though two ramps were very shallow. Had I been replacing the long bunks, I feel the idea to extend aft and provide bunk flex is a better solution.