|
|
Post by heavetoo on Oct 31, 2017 8:40:38 GMT -6
I don't like my trailer. I hate the rollers. I have a hard time lining things up. I also think that I will eventually have to replace some pieces on the rollers. With that in mind I wonder how hard it would be, and expensive, to convert from rollers to bunks. It seems to me that you would need brackets, bunks, and either carpet of the new things that they use to cover bunks with. It would be a matter of getting a good adjustment of the bunks so they line up with the boat's hull.
Does anyone have an idea or a suggestion on this?
|
|
|
|
Post by gnrphil on Oct 31, 2017 9:02:20 GMT -6
I just replaced my brackets and a keel roller for about $200, I'd say you could convert your's to bunks for around $500 with a pair of carpeted bunks.http://www.easternmarine.com/magic-tilt-carpeted-cypress-boat-trailer-bunk-board-pt5150
|
|
985crabs
Captain
2000 V1900 Bay Series, Yamaha 150 Carb. 2
Posts: 1,311
|
Post by 985crabs on Oct 31, 2017 11:45:04 GMT -6
My previous boat was a Boston Whaler and it had a roller trailer. The old salts on their forum (like this one) maintained that the roller trailer is the preferred setup because it supports the keel predominantly and, since the boat is designed for strength in the keel and is the center of gravity, that is where it should be supported.
When I rebuilt it, I used self-centering keel rollers which really helped a lot getting everything lined up. It did have bunks on either side that I replaced with roller bunks. No carpet to wear out, not marring of the hull and they were bright yellow and easy to see. Had to launch with the bow eye cable attached because that boat flew off of there on a grade. Had to remain under power while recovering until bow eye cable attached for the same reason.
All of the brackets are adjustable. I replaced everything with the boat on the trailer by simply building a keel form that I could jack up an inch with a bottle jack, position and lock down the roller and then lower the boat back on it.
Good luck with whatever you decide. It was loads of fun.
|
|
|
|
Post by Juan on Oct 31, 2017 13:38:35 GMT -6
My previous boat was a Boston Whaler and it had a roller trailer. The old salts on their forum (like this one) maintained that the roller trailer is the preferred setup because it supports the keel predominantly and, since the boat is designed for strength in the keel and is the center of gravity, that is where it should be supported. When I rebuilt it, I used self-centering keel rollers which really helped a lot getting everything lined up. It did have bunks on either side that I replaced with roller bunks. No carpet to wear out, not marring of the hull and they were bright yellow and easy to see. Had to launch with the bow eye cable attached because that boat flew off of there on a grade. Had to remain under power while recovering until bow eye cable attached for the same reason. All of the brackets are adjustable. I replaced everything with the boat on the trailer by simply building a keel form that I could jack up an inch with a bottle jack, position and lock down the roller and then lower the boat back on it. Good luck with whatever you decide. It was loads of fun. What do Boston Whalers owners know?  Just kidding... I too owned one once. Not trying to start an argument or disputing that rollers have their place since there's a remote possibility I could be wrong and I've never owned a trailer with rollers  but I'm guessing there might be advantages and disadvantages to both roller and bunk style trailers. I've always heard just the opposite of what the Whaler Salts are saying... I've always heard that you never want to place all the boat's weight on the keel and doing so might cause the centerline to warp or stringer damage. I thought it made sense because all the weight would be on the boat's keel and not distributed equally over the hull like it is when using bunks or when the boat is sitting in the water and the weight is distributed over the entire hull. I know that on trailers with bunks, the weight is on the bunks and the keel shouldn't even touch the trailer at all, or very little.. the sliders on the trailer for the keel are used for alignment when loading. |
|
985crabs
Captain
2000 V1900 Bay Series, Yamaha 150 Carb. 2
Posts: 1,311
|
Post by 985crabs on Oct 31, 2017 15:16:19 GMT -6
This could be the start of a lively discussion. I am no engineer. However, I've seen boats pulled out of the water for repairs and they are always resting comfortably with their keels on wooden blocks. The little angled stands are there to keep them from falling from one side or the other not for support. I've also seen a ship or 2 under construction and they are sitting on their keels until they slide them down the hill, splash, and hopefully, float. Gotta be something to that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Juan on Oct 31, 2017 20:10:02 GMT -6
This could be the start of a lively discussion. I am no engineer. However, I've seen boats pulled out of the water for repairs and they are always resting comfortably with their keels on wooden blocks. The little angled stands are there to keep them from falling from one side or the other not for support. I've also seen a ship or 2 under construction and they are sitting on their keels until they slide them down the hill, splash, and hopefully, float. Gotta be something to that. That could be right .. I honestly don't know but it makes sense to me that since there is no weight on the keel when a boat is afloat, there shouldn't be any when it's on the trailer. |
|
|
|
Just kidding... I too owned one once. Not trying to start an argument or disputing that rollers have their place since there's a remote possibility I could be wrong and I've never owned a trailer with rollers 
but I'm guessing there might be advantages and disadvantages to both roller and bunk style trailers. I've always heard just the opposite of what the Whaler Salts are saying... I've always heard that you never want to place all the boat's weight on the keel and doing so might cause the centerline to warp or stringer damage. I thought it made sense because all the weight would be on the boat's keel and not distributed equally over the hull like it is when using bunks or when the boat is sitting in the water and the weight is distributed over the entire hull. I know that on trailers with bunks, the weight is on the bunks and the keel shouldn't even touch the trailer at all, or very little.. the sliders on the trailer for the keel are used for alignment when loading. 
