Trailer Question 2

Valkyrie · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 7:32 pm Post subject: Trailer Question 2

Thanks for all of the input. It sounds like tandem is the way to go.

One more question: what is preferable? Bunks or rollers? The tandem the dealer suggests has articulated rear bunks. What do you prefer based on your experience.

Thanks,

Nick
"Valkyrei"

Larry H · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:24 pm Post subject:

Nick,

My Pacific tandem has fixed bunks. I have never had rollers, so I can't compare.

rogerbum · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:27 pm Post subject:

I would go with rollers although I admit I have no experienc with bunks. However, it seems clear to me that rollers will allow one to launch and retrieve more easily in situations in which you can't get the trailer in really deep. Also, without modification most bunks will not allow easy launch from a sling. The sling in Edmonds WA charges extra to launch from a trailer with bunks.

Roger on the SeaDNA

Sneaks · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:28 pm Post subject:

I've always had bunks and the present one has sling slots in it "just in case". The roller/bunk debate periodically rages on boating sites with little consensus beyond maybe rollers being more common on the right coast and bunks on the left, as far as I can see.

Normally I launch and recover by myself, and single handing with rollers just doesn't seem safe or easy. If I always had a second person available it would be different methinks.

How do you "roller guys" solo launch a C-Dory at ramps where one has to motor over to the dock?

starcrafttom · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:32 pm Post subject:

bunks allow the boat to sit lower on the trailer and i like that a lot. you can get sling launches to hook up to bunk trailers as long as the trailer is set up right. small breakes in the bunks where the straps will go is the key. not a standered set up but severel out fits have done it. if you have a sling operator who knows what the hell their doing its not a problen with a standered bunk. the guys at edmonds have launched my old boat off the bunk trailer several times. but a few years a go some one dropped and damaged a boat so management said no more bunks.

I dont like rollers for several reasons. 1. they sit to high 2. I have seen no less then 3 morons drop their boats on the ramp because they unhooked the tie down strap from the boat at the top of the ramp instead of after the boat was in the water. or forgot to hook it up when pulling the boat out. 3. i like to motor up on to the trailer and a roller trailer will allow the boat to slide off again. i hate that. 4. they sit to high. yes i know 2 is the fault of the operator but why give a moron the chance to tie up a ramp while he has that "oh sh!t" look all over his face. and did i mention they sit to high.

rogerbum · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:16 am Post subject:

Sneaks · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 5:01 am Post subject:

B~C · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:31 am Post subject:

a quick thought, loosen your winch cable a few clicks when in the boat prep mode, when you back into the water the stern raises and places an extra load on the cable and bow if left tight

starcrafttom · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 10:54 am Post subject:

Well this is like asking Ford or chevy at a toyota club meeting. sneaks, why don't they have the docks at that ramp. the only time i have seen that is at lakes where most boats are of the ski type or the water is warm. here in the north west most ramps have the docks at the ramp and most people ,not me, pull their boats over with ropes. I was taught to drive on and off and always do. i was all so taught to get the trailer close enough to the dock to step on to the boat. drive off the trailer and move the boat as far down the dock as possible so others can launch. I really hate bad dock manners, but find that it is a lack of training that is to blame.

Short story. Launching at the the ramp in sacramento down by the yacth club. ten guys in line for striper season. out of no where comes a lowered mini truck with seadoo in back. guy goes straight to the bottom of the ramp, cutting me off. pulls out his seedoo and seedoo stand,opens the truck door ,turns up the radio to thump mode and starts working on his seedoo right on the ramp in two feet of water. WEll hell thats not right. I walk over to the top of the ramp and say "heycan you move that thing so i can launch my boat. I got the the big middle finger hi sign. Couple of the other guy in line see this and we just look at each other. did i mention that striper fishing is mostly done by, how do i put this, hicks. people in the sac.area forget that they are surrounded by farm land and mountains and the hicks live there. four of us walked over with 12 gages ( ok mine was a 20 gage) and asked him again to move. To give the guy some credit he did not think twice about it or even get mad he just dragged his seedoo over to the side off the ramp and parked his truck. then went back to working on it. we all launched and headed are in different directions.

Sneaks · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:57 am Post subject:

Cutty Sark · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:20 pm Post subject: rollers or bunks?

From what I've seen,the main advantage of rollers seems to be, that it's easier to get your boat off the trailer. Just a little push and away it goes. However, they now have the bunks made with teflon. Which are supposedly just as easy or slick so are comparable with rollers. Though I haven't actually tried them. Another thing to consider is marginal launches without docks. I feel it is much easier to drive onto a bunk trailer than a roller. If your off a bit and dont have guides or a nasty side current or wind pushing you, it's easy to put some gouges in your boat with a roller. I'm talking from experience. And a couple more things, more moving parts on a roller which means more parts to fail, rust etc..., replacing rollers is expensive as well. I would prefer a bunk for my next trailer, after having both.

Sark

starcrafttom · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:49 pm Post subject:

sark have you decided on a boat yet?

Chivita · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:32 pm Post subject:

Having owned both styles, I've always liked the support that bunks give in that they spread the weight of the boat over a much broader area. When I trailer back into a rough area, I've noticed that my boat bounces and moves back and forth much more on a roller trailer, no matter how well it is secured. Boats don't seem to have that issue with a bunk trailer.

Having watched enough guys rip up the bow of their boat on the bow stop or rip up their lower unit, I'm also not a big fan of running my boat up on the trailer with the motor. Rollers are easier to winch a boat up on, but if I back the trailer into the water deep enough to get the bunks wet, it's not a big issue. Since I always wash everything off afterwards, salt or fresh water, I'm not too concerned about salt damage.

"Chivita" Dave

Cutty Sark · Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 10:24 am Post subject: boat yet

Starcraft Tom-

At this time I am looking for a used CD Crusier. I still would really like something with a self bailing cockpit. But every boats a compromise. And so far I keep coming back to the CD for the amenities, ease of trailering and, that you don't need 200 HP to push it. I am going to look at a striper and a parker again before buying, but am fairly sure it's going to be a CD 22 in the end. I still have a line on a sweet orca but they are so heavy!!! Time will tell I guess.

Sark

PS sorry not trying to hijack this thread.

Sneaks · Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 11:01 am Post subject: Re: boat yet