I need to replace the front bunks on my trailer and have never done it before. Do u just use treaded lumber from lowes or wherever? And I’m assuming I need galvinized staples to fasten the carpet on. Also, any suggestions for replacing them if I don’t have a dock to leave boat at while doing the work. I’m sure I can just have everything ready and do it while at the landing, but don’t wanna piss people off by keeping boat tied up for an extended period.
I use stainless steel roofing nails to nail down the carpet. If you are around Beaufort, you can get them at Beaufort Boat & Dock Supply.
ZX
yep! staples, nails, whatever, just make sure its stainless or galvanized or you will be doing it again shortly. It’s more expensive but worth it in the long run. Go to your local public boat ramp during the week, an hour before dark and usually you can leave your boat at the loading dock and do it real fast. Look to see how many trailers are in the parking lot. If you only see like one or two… well, you wont piss too many people off. Be sure to dock your boat not in front of the actual ramp if possible. Usually,right before dark the ramps are pretty inactive so you should be fine.I have done many trailer repairs this way. No one has ever said a word. But i have not really seen too many people to talk too. Hell, the one time there was another guy there, he doing the exact same thing. Even found out how expensive stainless staples were from him.
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
If you use staples, Monel staples are the only ones that won’t rust. Even galvanized and SS will eventually rust. Monel are more expensive and herder to find but will last a long time. I just redid my bunks after 5 years and the staples still looked good.
Trim the motor up and pull the boat back on the tra. let it rest on an old tire till you complete the job then winch it back on, no sweet!
quote:
Originally posted by DFreedomIf you use staples, Monel staples are the only ones that won’t rust. Even galvanized and SS will eventually rust. Monel are more expensive and herder to find but will last a long time. I just redid my bunks after 5 years and the staples still looked good.
Yea, I have noticed the stainless ones I used are starting to rust. Ill try the Monel ones this time.
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
quote:If you have everything ready, it's a pretty fast job.
Originally posted by farmdawg…I’m sure I can just have everything ready and do it while at the landing, but don’t wanna piss people off by keeping boat tied up for an extended period.
My favorite fasteners are bronze nails/tacks. Extremely easy to work with and cheep as dirt and you have to ask yourself… if the carpet is the first thing to go… why would you need nails/staples that last a lifetime?
If I find that box of bronze nails (still 3/4 full) out in my garage I’ll give them to you. 
Thanks for all the advice…now just gotta find time to get it done.
Not sure if u are near Columbia but Wesco trailer is in West Columbia. I did mine about a month ago and got already carpeted bunks from them for $15 a piece. I only did my front ( impact) bunks as they tend to wear out quicker and the back didn’t need replacing. Even if you don’t have a Wesco trailer I would measure and get from them if they are near or u will be coming through Columbia and can pick them up.
another tip I learned the hard way - make sure you can break the fasteners loose before you hit the ramp to replace the bunks, especially if they are older or galvanized. (tighten them again before you drive to the ramp!) I soaked mine w/ a penetrant for 24 hrs and still had hell getting all the nuts & bolts loose. spent a lot of extra time, sweat, and cursing in the parking lot when I could have done it at home with a few cold beers, impact wrench, and/or a big cheater bar instead of the dinky wrenches I brought with me.
btw, Home Depot had some black marine/outdoor carpet that has held up well for me. Softer pile than the stuff you typically see but going on a year now and so far very durable.
Angler 204 FX
Yamaha 150
You can do it in your driveway. Use a floor jack and jack the boat up about 1 inch using a board under the back of the keel. Then you can do everything where you have all of the tools, and if you run into trouble you won’t have to leave things at the ramp or pull the boat on an unfinished trailer. You can lean the boat to one side while you work on the opposite side then switch the lean and the bunks will still be adjusted. At home you may have a compressor or electric impact gun (harbor freight has cheap electric impact guns.
Gene
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