Side Bunks

[CAE]

Have a 17ft fiberglass boat with a roller style trailer. If the boat launch is not level I'm having a tough time getting my boat on the trailer evenly. If I don't put it on evenly one side of the boat hits the fender.Wondering if bunk guides would help me with this problem. Would anybody have any suggestions.

CAE

[Jack G]

In my opinion side bunk guides would not solve your problem. I have used both bunk guides and roller post guides and it was always possible to load the boats unevenly.

I do think that either type guide should help you load evenly in so far as the guides allow you to slowly ease the nose of your boat onto the rollers of your trailer.

Many problems loading unevenly onto a roller trailer are because the trailer is backed too far into the water and/or the boat is pushed too quickly onto the rollers. By slowly easing your boat onto the rollers they should almost automatically center your boat onto the trailer.

Good luck.

Jack

[hgmeyer]

I have a roller trailer under my small...15'...semi-v...Sylvan...and no bunks...I wish I did on those ramps that aren't even...level...right angle...etc. My 19' Tracker sits on a bunk trailer and has side bunks...very tight fit...and I can ususally get it on the trailer level and straight...no matter the conditions...I use the side bunks as "leverage" against wind and waves...the few times it doesn't load straight I just float it back a few feet (usually 4-6' just to get the hull up off the back bunks) and winch it on straight.

I would contact a dealer that sells a lot of fishing rigs and get them to ste up your trailer and new side bunks...I don't think you will regret it. When my budget allows...I think I am going to take my own advice..at least get side rollers on the small trailer...

[CAE]

Would you recomend side bunks or side rollers? Or do they do the same thing. Would the side bunks mark the side of the boat?

[Jack G]

CAE

Side bunks that are so close to the side of the boat that they can actually touch it under any/some conditions will indeed mar the side of the boat. This marring takes place while towing the rig.

Jack

[SW]

I have side bunks on my Shorelander roller trailer. They will not help you loading the boat evenly. When the front part of the boat is starting to ride up the trailer, the bunks aren't even close to touching. Unfortunately this is the point at which centering is required. If you start off un-centered, you will end up uncentered, and the side bunks will just be pushed to the side (at least mine does with an 1850 Tyee). The only good thing the side bunks do is they are a great visual aide in determining if the boat is centered. If I'm off center slightly, I can bounce on the side to shift in over.

I agree with the above post, don't back the trailer in so far, I usually back so that the back most rollers are just under water, then slowly drive the boat on. Although, with a shorelander, even the best efforts can turn into a head-ache at the ramp.

Hope this helps.

[CAE]

Just curious does your rollers leave black marks. Mine leaves such black marks and they are very hard to remove. Any suggestions on how to eliminate this?

CAE

[Pitts]

Change your rollers over to the more durable yellow rollers and they won't make any more marks. You will eventually have to change them out anyway because they do not last. That might be the problem now check for a good solid rolling feel of each roller when boat is off. If it is rough feeling or the hole that the shaft goes through is elongated you need new rollers. You may also have a problem with trailer set up, check to see that your boat is sitting on all the rollers evenly at the finale load spot for transportation maybe you need an adjustment on one or another of the rollers. If the boat is new take it back to the dealer and have him check it out and use the marks as the reason you want him to do that.

Hope this helps


Pitts

[CAE]

Excellent advice guys! Pitts, can a person buy these yellow rollers anywhere? Or do you have to special order them from some where. Our local boat shop doesn't handle them.

CAE

[MAGNA19]

i made up a set 2 yrs ago,a little longer than normal,shimmed them out when the boat is on the trailer to just about touch the side.they help out a lot when loading the boat.it puts my deep v tracketr on the trailer with the bunks where they should be.

[SnellTier]

Jack, you are sure right about that trailer too far into the water. I finally was coached (my first boat) to put the empty trailer JUST far enough back into the water to get the rear-most set of rollers into the water. Once I started doing that, it was a lot easier to come up with a centered boat.
Tom

[Pitts]

I think Cabelas, Gander Mt, Fleet Farm, all have them in stock but if they don't you probably can order them.


Pitts