Bunks or Keel, which should bear the load?

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autigr

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Apr 14, 2004
9
Hunter 18.5 Greer, SC
I'm doing some badly needed trailer maintenance this spring and I noticed that one of the bunk supports is badly bent over. Also, looking at the bottom board under the keel on the trailer there is quite a noticable depression from the bottom of the keel. What I don't know is where the major load is supposed to ride on the trailer - on the bunks or on the keel? At the moment I would have to say the weight is primarily on the keel but I'm not entirely certain I have the trailer that was originally supplied with the boat (1989 Hunter 18.5). I'm the third owner and some things about the trailer just don't appear to be designed for this boat. Any help and/or insight would be appreciated! Autigr S/V Nemo
 
Aug 9, 2004
144
Hunter 22 Kingston, Wa
fix the bunks

The weight of the boat should rest on the bunks, this distributes the weight of the boat over the whole frame of the trailer.
 
D

Dennis

my opinion

I would not want the weight of the keel "hanging" off the hull being supported by bunks only. This would cause enormous shock loads on the keel/hull joint when hitting bumps and rough spots in the road. Also it may make the center of gravity higher and cause the trailer to be tippy. For me it would make sense to have the keel take most of the weight and the bunks enough load to solidly support the boat from tipping. Any thoughts from engineers out there??
 
Sep 25, 1999
600
Hunter 23.5 Indian Lake
keel

I have been told by several sources that I trust that 70 percent of the weight is to be on the keel and the remainder on the bunks, we have had our boat for 10 years and so far so good, Mike Bacome
 
Aug 9, 2004
144
Hunter 22 Kingston, Wa
fixed or swing keel

Is it fixed or swing? A fixed keel can take the stress of the boat's weight, but a folded in swing keel can not.
 
J

John

On the keel

I've been told that the bunks are to stablize the boat, and that the weight should be on the keel. 70% sounds close. I've noticed boats that have damage from too much weight on the bunks - indentations and hair line cracks. Swing keel boats should have their keels cranked down to let the trailer carry the weight.
 

autigr

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Apr 14, 2004
9
Hunter 18.5 Greer, SC
Response from Hunter

I used the tech support link on this site to pose the question to Hunter yesterday. I was so impressed - a reply came back in 9 minutes! Anyway, their take on the matter is posted below. If you look at the trailer it sort of makes sense, because the bunk support pillars are on a telescoping bracket that is not through-bolted, only a compression bolt to snug the extension down and prevent it from collapsing. Not the ideal setup if the intent was to carry the hull weight, but OK just to provide lateral support I suppose. Will post a pic tomorrow. Thanks for all the feedback! -----Original Message----- From: CustServ-Hunter [mailto:customerservice@huntermarine.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 9:22 AM To: [name] Subject: RE: TECH SUPPORT QUESTION from HOW Dear Mr. Palmer, The weight of the boat should be resting on the keel, the runners should be firmly up against the hull. -----Original Message----- From: info@hunterowners.com [mailto:info@hunterowners.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 9:13 AM To: CustServ-Hunter Subject: TECH SUPPORT QUESTION from HOW The following inquiry was sent on 04/26/2005 at 06:12:47 Pacfic time: Jeff Palmer I have a 1989 Hunter 18.5 and am doing some trailer repair. I'm not sure it's the original trailer, but it appears that currently when trailered, the weight of the boat is resting on the keel wing bulb and the trailer bunks are largely to keep the boat steady instead of bearing weight. Is this the correct way to trailer this boat or should the weight be resting on the bunks and not the keel (do the bunks need to be raised to keep the keel off the trailer skid plate)? Thanks so much, Jeff Palmer
 

autigr

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Apr 14, 2004
9
Hunter 18.5 Greer, SC
Trailer pic

Attached is a link to a pic showing the trailer. Bunks are off the posts, but you can see the bolt at the bottom of the support pillar that tensions the pillar in the slide bracket. No through bolt! Anybody else's trailer look like this? I'm still trying to figure out if it is the original factory trailer or a replacement mod. Also in the pic you can see the "V-guide" I built to aid in centering the keel on the trailer. Works great - perfect alignment 1st try ever time. Autigr
 
Feb 26, 2004
161
Hunter 23 Lake Keystone, OK
Looks like my trailer.

I have an h23, and most all the weight is supported by the wing keel. I use a steel pipe to leverege those posts up tight before I tighten the screws. Mac
 
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