Solve Problems Loading a Boat on a Bunk Trailer

Many trailer boat owners have problems at the ramp with launch and retrieval and are looking for new ideas that may be a solution. The source of many of these problems is often the bunk boards that support the boat on the trailer. These bunk boards are either 2 x 4" or 2 x 6" lengths of wood that are wrapped with a marine carpet to prevent damage to the boat hull. They mount to the trailer cross members with either a stationary or swivel bracket mechanism.

These trailers are usually several years old and still have the original bunk carpet in place. Over time, the carpet will absorb dirt and contamination causing increased drag on the boat hull while launching or retrieving. Naturally, boat hulls with greater weight and length will have greater drag.

Also, the carpet can wear and allow the wooden bunk boards to contact the aluminum or fiberglass boat hull. This can cause damage or unsightly marks on the hull. Another problem trailer boat owners encounter is that old carpeted bunks can prevent the boat from being loaded straight (centered) on the trailer. To the trailer owner, an obvious solution is to either replace the carpet or replace the entire bunk board.

If the boards are solid, there are other remedies for this problem.

1) There are commercially available spray-on, silicone-based products designed to reduce friction. This approach can be considered a short-term fix. The bunk carpet should be scrubbed clean with detergent, rinsed and dried before applying this product.

2) A more elegant solution is a product known commercially as 'bunk slicks'. These will fit over the 2 × 4" or 2 × 6" bunk boards. These bunk covers are made of a durable plastic with a low coefficient of friction. This product is easy to install with stainless steel mounting hardware and mount from the side and in most cases require that the old carpet be removed. They also assist in centering the boat on the trailer while retrieving the boat at the ramp.

Be careful with these! Make sure the winch strap or cable is secured to the boat's bow eye or the boat could slip off the trailer while backing down the ramp.

3) The last option would be to completely remove the bunk board and replace with another product known as Roller Bunks. These mount to the same bolster/swivel bracket mechanism as the bunk boards. This item can be described as a metal channel with sets of rollers and are only available in 4 or 5 ft. lengths. They have a hull weight limitation of 1500 lbs per pair.