bunk boards

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Oct 21, 2012
88
Macgregor 22 Lake Texoma Tx
whats the best way to put new bunk boards on a macgregor 22 how do you get the bend in the board ??
 
Dec 25, 2009
269
American 26 & MFG Challenger 12 American 8.0, Challenger 12 Lake Pepin, Wisc.
Simplest way to to bend wood is to laminate thin vaneers 1/8" or so around a form and glue up with wood glue or epoxy. I made some spoon blades for oars that were 5" wide and 3/8" thick (3 layers of 1/8" each) bent around a corresponding plywood mound that had a male curve and a female curve and the vaneers were pulled into shape using clamps and make sure that you use
 
Dec 25, 2009
269
American 26 & MFG Challenger 12 American 8.0, Challenger 12 Lake Pepin, Wisc.
pardon the computer burp. use...wax paper to keep the molded parts from sticking to the molds.


Male/Female Blade Mold Ready for Clamping


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Dec 25, 2009
269
American 26 & MFG Challenger 12 American 8.0, Challenger 12 Lake Pepin, Wisc.
Sorry, I misunderstood what you were referring too. I put new ones on this year for my American, I used Treated wood with a carpet wrap. They were straight. When I loaded the boat on them the first time, believe me, they bent very easily. I just left the center hold down loose until the boat was loaded and then tightened the bolts.

Next time I launched, they were bent and had no desire to straighten out.
 
Mar 16, 2011
3
Hunter 23.5 Folsom Lake
I too replaced mine as Tom did. The bunks formed to the weight of the boat and worked just fine. I got my carpet (very high quality) for the dumpster behind the carpet store.
 
Jan 22, 2008
198
Montgomery 17, Venture of Newport, Mirror sailing dinghy, El Toro sailing dinghy Mound, MN -- Lake Minnetonka
The supports at the ends of the bunks on my trailer have slots for the bolts instead of round holes. I'm guessing that most sailboat trailer bunks that have a substantial amount of bend are mounted the same way. Be sure that the bolts are NOT tightened all the way. They should be free to move in the slot. When the weight of the boat comes on the bunks and bends them, the ends will be pulled inward as the middle bows down. If the ends are rigidly pinned instead of free to move slightly you run the risk of the bunks breaking. Use lock nuts or Locktite to keep the nuts from vibrating off.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,453
-na -NA Anywhere USA
As a former smalll boat dealer, I would purchase treated 2X4 or 2X6 Lumber. I would go with the ends sticking at least more than a foot beyound the furtherest bunk board stands. The boards would be bollted to the center supports first. With the boat lowered onto the boards, they would bend down. Once the boards touched the outer supports, I would then mark the holes to be drilled. I would lift the boat up and out of the way and then drill the holles and bolt the rest down. I always raised the center supports first to ensure proper support. Be very careful that you do not raise the outer supports to cause the end of the boards to raise upwards into the hull.
 
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