Question? Anybody use plastic on trailer bunks to slide boat

Alfred · Jul-02-2009, 11:12 AM

I have a real heavy boat that is difficult to launch and retrieve. A friend suggested seaboard on the bunks. Posted on Blackman site and another fisherman said it worked great. He said it did not become unstable and did not need tie downs. Anybody have experiance with the stuff. It is the same material as cutting board, a white plastic that can me drilled, tapped, etc. It is also expensive. Pick it up in N.C. at S.D. Plastics. I will probably get at least 3/8 think.

Outlawman · Jul-02-2009, 02:39 PM

Not I, but 3/8" is somewhat flimsy. I would use at least 5/8" which has more rigidity. Don't know if thicker options are available.
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Mo Betta · Jul-02-2009, 03:37 PM

Al, have you tried spraying the carpet with silicone spray? I use it on mine and it makes a huge difference. Just make sure the bow chain is attached.

the hook · Jul-02-2009, 03:43 PM

slippery bunks are a recipe for disaster on some launch ramps.

Be careful.

slydawg · Jul-02-2009, 03:52 PM

I had plastic runners screwed onto my bunks. Seems to scrape the gelcoat...

Afry · Jul-02-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo Betta

Al, have you tried spraying the carpet with silicone spray? I use it on mine and it makes a huge difference. Just make sure the bow chain is attached.

agreed - I spray em twice a year. Just launch your boat and go fishing and when you come back spray them while dry. I use a whole can for my 20' boat trailer but I have long cat bunks on it.

wils · Jul-02-2009, 04:00 PM

no way is starboard structural for that application, especially 3/8", by itself. Even 5/8 is questionable after sitting in the sun all day. If you are set on the starboard, maybe screw the 3/8" over the wood stringers? (counter-sink the screws, of course).

Transom tie-downs are required by the CHP?????

johnnylite · Jul-02-2009, 04:03 PM

Ditto on the tie downs and rigidity of the 3/8. I have a plastic boat so no issues.
I see a lot of posts also on the manufactured wood products. maybe more structural sizes are available.

tuna taxi · Jul-02-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the hook

slippery bunks are a recipe for disaster on some launch ramps.

Be careful.

I don't know if John speaks from experience but I agree with him....from experience of course. As a matter of fact if you decide to use the Liquid Rollers stuff I have a 1/2 a can left...YOU CAN HAVE IT!

If you decide to use this stuff use it be very, very, very, very conservative. Again, I speak from experience.

middleofnowhere · Jul-02-2009, 04:19 PM

We have the 3/8" White poly on the front half of my bunks. The poly is backed by treated 2x6 lumber and even has carpet under it. The back half of my bunks are straight up carpet.
We have launched the boat a dozen times since new. The poly and the bunks still look new. The boat slides on the plastic real nice. There is enough carpet to give the boat traction so that it does not slide off the trailer (yet).
Sorry about the low res photo, but you can see the poly on top of the bunk under the sponson.

jagerhunchback · Jul-03-2009, 12:35 AM

i have the starboard over carpet for my cat, im not a big fan. when i redo my bunks im yanking that stuff out. the silicone spray for the carpet sounds like the way to go.

Antares · Jul-03-2009, 11:16 PM

I got UHMW on my tailor 1/2 inch i think. I used to have to power on along with my electric winch. Now its a breeze. Make sure you tie your boat down it will want off the tailor in a hurry.