Relacing Trailer Bunk Boards

Timo42 · Aug 21, 2009

Don't know if this is appropriate to post this here, but a buddy just picked up a carload of precut bunk carpets, wants $20 ea for them, nothing in it for me, but a good deal, pm me.

Rollers don't seem to work so well on these, hull's too thin, to get it all the way up, use the "Macgregor bump" once you are on the flat, with noone on the boat, hit the brakes hard enough to slide the boat forward the rest of the way. I have a tiedown in addition to the winch strap to keep the bow from overriding the roller. Tim

caguy · Aug 22, 2009

I used indoor outdoor carpet from Lowes. You only need a yard. I bought an extra yd to use in the cabin sole (not recommended), dirt sticks to that stuff like velcro making it difficult to vacuum. I used stainless steel staples to secure. The bunk boards if I remember are 9'-6'' 2x6. I used Liquid Roller spray on the bunks after carpeting as a lubricant. To scoot boat into front V block use the infamous Macgregor Bump. Move forward about 15 mph and slam on the brakes.

caguy · Aug 22, 2009

mac25wmo said:
Frank /caguy:
Thanks for the info on the carpet and dimensions. I've heard about the Liquid Roller spray. Does it really work? I tried once to cover my carpet with petroleum jelly. It did not have any noticable effect on getting the boat to slide.

Wade /mac25wmo
Syracuse, NY

Yeah it really works, just don't unhook your boat at the top of the ramp, wait 'til you reach the bottom.

Beija Flor · Aug 23, 2009

Forget the carpet - get "bunk slicks" instead.

Bunk slicks are strips of ultra-high-density polyethylene that attach to the tops of the bunks. They are very slippery and strong. My 26X cranks right up onto the trailer, no trouble - and no "Mac bump" to get it properly in place.

I used Liquid Rollers until I got the bunk slicks. It works pretty well, but nowhere near as well as the slicks. You really do have to secure the boat solidly with bunk slicks, but when you launch it will slide right off - and when you retrieve you boat, it will slide right on. (Well, my boat doesn't have anti-fouling paint - that might make a difference.)

You don't need carpet under the bunk slicks. All it would do is hold water and thus promote rot&rust.

Knuttle · Aug 23, 2009

You will need pieces that are about twice the width of the bunk and the length of the bunk plus the width of the bunk. This will give you the wrap necessary to attach the carpet to the bunk with out placing staples in areas that will scratch the hull. That means you can carpet the bunks with the pieces that are thrown away by the carpet installers when they are done with a room.

If you have some time you can sometime get sufficient carpet for the trailer bunks at construction site dumpsters and at carpet stores. I have been able to get good carpet for the bunks on my V-21 at carpet stores. Just go in and ask. Some may ask a couple of dollars and others may say take what ever you need and point you toward the scrap.

At a construction site, watch and when they are putting in the carpet ask the installer. If you know a carpet installers ask them.

Use the true pile carpets not the type that are glued to a matrix.

Norman Staniec · Sep 11, 2009

Bunk Boards

My 1985 Mac 22 has spent all its' life on the trailer when not being sailed. My boards seem to be sagging too much so I called Macgregor and talked to a fellow who's been there forever (when my boat was built). He said the boards are contoured to the boat at the factory and that I should not worry about the bow and that I should be careful about using straight 2x6's. I decided not to change them out but know I'll have to at some point. I know this isn't answering your carpet question but thought I should mention this. Maybe others have successfully use regular boards without any problems-- would be great to hear any experiences or advice, along with the carpet issues.