Recarpeting Bunks

[985crabs]

Anybody have any experience with recarpeting the bunks on their trailer? It's time. I can see scratches in the hull. Do you have to take the bunks off or can they be done in place? What weight carpet is best? Is there an advantage to using multiple layers? Should one fasten with glue or staples? Is this one of those things where one should go ahead and replace the hardware while one is at it? I don't think this will be fun and I need to know what I'm getting into before I get started. I have to be able to estimate how much beer I'll need to buy my fishing buddy to help me with this.

Crabs

[freezerfiller]

I've done it a few times on different boats. It depends on the trailer you get as to the surgery required. On my sea pro's Wesco trailer, I did have to remove the bunks to do it right. I used Stainless steel staples and anchored down the corners with a galvanized roofing tack. Get carpet made for bunks as the backing is rot resistant and it is designed to dry quickly and not to scratch. My hardware was fine, I did put some liquid Teflon on all of it to prevent galling in the future.

[Juan]

I haven't had to change the carpet on the Sea Pro bunks but everything on the trailer for the old bass boat I recently bought was trash so I had to replace not only the carpet, but the wooden bunks and all the hardware. It doesn't see saltwater but like freezer did, I used stainless staples. I cut then glued the carpet down to treated boards first then stapled the underside and pinned the corners together with stainless screws before mounting the new bunk brackets. It wasn't that hard to do and I did it one bunk at a time by jacking up the boat just enough to get a bunk out, then doing other side the same way. The only thing I did that I might regret is I used outdoor carpet instead of carpet designed for bunks.. (it was handy at the time) I've launched and loaded the boat probably 20 times since I changed the bunks and so far it's working fine but the carpet might wear out quicker than carpet made for bunks.

[985crabs]

I've got the 2X6 beveled bunks in the back and regular 2x4 angled flat in the front. I'm most concerned with the front right now and I actually have some bunk carpet a guy gave me. I could do like Juan did up there. I also have some slicks from the same source. I could put them on the 2x6s. However, I am worried about just how slick they are. You see, and I am about to reveal a shameful truth, I once sprayed trailer bunk board lubricant on by bunks. This stuff was slicker than snot and the next time I went to the launch I unhooked it and the boat slid right off half in the water and half on the cement ramp. Yessir, right there at Breton Sound Marina on a Saturday morning. I had to use the trailer to push it the rest of the way down the ramp to clear the launch. Kindly, the owner pulled me out with his hoist so we could inspect the hull. Amazingly, I only lost a little gelcoat at the very back of the keel just bellow the plug.

I was embarrassed. So, 'Cross, just how slick are the slicks. I surely don't want to repeat that performance.

[freezerfiller]

Sounds a lot like my trailer. If it's just the 2x4's your going to do,it's a breeze.

[Juan]

Don't fee pregnant Crabs. You're not the only one who has done that. I just won't admit it.

[troutslayer]

just as Juan did I padded my floor jack, lifted the boat off my front 2x6 bunks with the jack centered on the keel and took the bunks to my shop. I bought new bunk carpet at bass pro shop near me and rewrapped them. I also used stainless staples as I dip mine in the salt a couple times a year. My hardware was in good shape did not need to replace. My trailer is a magic tilt and like yours has 2 beveled cypress bunks in the rear. I replaced the carpet on them while on vacation in Destin while boat was in canal and trailer was empty in carport. Neither job was very hard and actually kinda fun, I am very hands on and do-it-yourself like. A smart Cajun like you should be able to do no problem. 

[gtightline]

Southern Cross...That is a great idea. Here's a link where you can buy them cheap. If I ever need to re-carpet the bunks, I just might go that route.



www.wholesalemarine.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=trailer+bunk+slicks

[985crabs]

Jul 22, 2015 15:43:19 GMT -6 Juan said:

Don't fee pregnant Crabs.

Hmmm...

[985crabs]

'Cross,

I put roller bunks on my Montauk trailer. I really liked them. On and off was a breeze even though I had to maintain power until hook on and not unhook until plenty of water was under the hull. I knew what to expect so it was okay. The rollers were all yellow and orange so they were really easy to see and line up on too. I felt like I was landing on a lighted airstrip. I also felt good about there being virtually no friction.

I have some of these slicks that are 1.5" wide. I figure I could do one row each on the 2x6 rear cypress bunks. Now, would I put them on the flat top surface or the inward-facing beveled surface? Or, would I get another set and put one row on each thus achieving greater weight distribution and super slickness?

Crabs

[Simple Man]

I third the slicks. Try them and let us know.

[985crabs]

Roger that. Will discuss with my beer-guzzling fishing buddy and come up with a plan. Appreciate input.

[yolo]

I had the slicks on my trailer and replaced them with carpet in the spring when i had the boat off the trailer to bottom paint it. I regret that.

Carpet rubbed a good amount of bottom paint off the boat where the bunks are. Boat is in the water for the season so ill be putting the slicks back on when before i take it out.

[Warpig]

If the wood is ok you can staple another layer of carpet over what's there. That's what I did and it's been fine. I float mine onto the trailer when pulling it though.

[985crabs]

Projects like this require a lot of planning and just the right conditions. Yesterday it was 100 degrees with a heat index of 115 so, naturally, it was time to work on the trailer. Of course things got more involved as the day progressed and there were unscheduled trips to home improvement and sporting goods stores, but the task is complete. Take note all you would-be carpet replacers, one of the best $30 you'll ever spend will be for the pneumatic staple gun you will use to fire your stainless staples. I got one and it made the job a whole bunch easier compared to last time. Here's a couple photos. If you look closely, you can see the bunk slicks I added. They're fun too. With just a little more throttle I think I could have launched the boat into the back of my Expedition when I was loading it back up.

[freezerfiller]

Yeah, It was rough temps for sure. I worked on moving all my electronics this weekend as well. Looks good! I'd keep an eye on those screws over time,, That's the only part that concerns me is one of those possibly backing out over time.

[985crabs]

Good points about the screws. We've already discussed visually inspecting slicks after each launch and the merits of occasionally trying to turn them with a screwdriver like 'Cross said.

Thanks for the feedback.