bunk setup

1990dtgl98

Member
Sep 21, 2020
37
Boat Info
1999 bowrider
Engines
Mercruiser
Quick question.

Bought a 1999 Searay 230br and it came with a 2002 venture tandem trailer. I assume it's not factory as it's 3 years newer.

I was just wondering if this bunk setup looks alright?

Should I have something for support lower on the keel?

Is the 4x6 length a concern (they're wavy/warped)?
 

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The bunkers look right, but I'd feel better having center keel rollers to support more of the hull.
 
Placement of the bunks looks fine. I don't notice any waviness. Just know that Venture's are known to be "iffy" trailers - so keep a close eye on things. It's "OK" to have just one bunk, but like Nater said, I'd rather see more support. I tend to shy away from keel rollers, though, since that can sometimes make loading a pain. Instead, I'd use a second pair of bunks. You can buy the hardware for that just about anyhwere online.

BUT... add up the "wet" weight of your boat with it's options/gas/batteries/etc... and then compare that to the carrying capacity of the trailer. And, how often do you trailer/how far? Do you have brakes on both axles?
 
Placement of the bunks looks fine. I don't notice any waviness. Just know that Venture's are known to be "iffy" trailers - so keep a close eye on things. It's "OK" to have just one bunk, but like Nater said, I'd rather see more support. I tend to shy away from keel rollers, though, since that can sometimes make loading a pain. Instead, I'd use a second pair of bunks. You can buy the hardware for that just about anyhwere online.

BUT... add up the "wet" weight of your boat with it's options/gas/batteries/etc... and then compare that to the carrying capacity of the trailer. And, how often do you trailer/how far? Do you have brakes on both axles?

Boat weight should be 4200lbs dry, figuring the 7.4 upgrade and batteries and full (50gal) fuel, I'm probably right around 5k. I would like to get it on a scale in the spring time.

Usually it goes to the river (20mi ride) every weekend or every other during the summer. Occasionally I'll drive it down to my parents or a lake father away (150mi and 70mi, respectively) but thats maybe 5-7 weekends a year.

Hydraulic disc surge brakes on both axles. Has 14" tires, but swapped out to 15" LRC to match my utility trailers.
 
Agree with both Lazy and Nater - You can get by with that bunk set up. One thing I would keep and eye on is bunk hook or stern hooking with those single sets. Meaning a lot of load if the boat sits on trailer for months at a time can cause fiberglass to "form around" and cause indentation. It certainly wouldnt hurt to add second set near not under the keel. This reduces hooking potential . I would run from just past the back of the transom (what maybe and inch - no more to avoid hitting with outdrive down) to say maybe 6 feetish towards bow. You'll have to find hardware to add to the axles but likely venture sells parts to do that. I'd maybe consider double thickness to allow for cutaways to slip slings through the stern if you ever wanted to hoist in from a lift. You mention 15 inch upgraded tires. would be good to have 10 ply or "e" rated to go with. If you did nothing more though, I think you good for shorter distances like you mention. I upgraded to electric over hydraulic and pitched the surge because I have hills and want to be able to hand brake it going up and down. Not necessary but a worthy upgrade if you want added safety measure.
 
I see you have 2 threads going and just caught the weight. My 4200 # boat which is 3 ft. longer than yours sits on 8' 4x10's with a smaller 2x4 set on the flat in front of that.
 
Is it safe to add bunks and mounts to the torsion axles? Wasn't sure if I could mount to those.
 
I would run from just past the back of the transom (what maybe and inch - no more to avoid hitting with outdrive down) to say maybe 6 feetish towards bow.
@89P270 brings up a couple of good points;make sure the bunks run out at least even with the transom, if not slightly past as a lot of weight is carried vertically down through the transom. If the bunkers stop short, the hull can bow over the bunker, causing a hook. Not a good thing...
I'd maybe consider double thickness to allow for cutaways to slip slings through the stern if you ever wanted to hoist in from a lift.
Precisely what I'll be doing with my trailer this Spring when the bunkers get replaced. At 12,000 pounds, I don't want to be hassling with trying to fish straps between the hull and bunkers! Your 4200 pounds is more manageable, but why make things any more difficult than they already are?
 
Is it safe to add bunks and mounts to the torsion axles?
I am assuming so since the two bunks are already mounted on them. Adding more would spread the weight more evenly which shouldnt hurt. However, a call to the manufacturer to ask as well as to get vendor for additional hardware certainly wouldnt hurt. I am not an expert on torsion axles. Others will have better feeling for that than me.
 
The 2 he has now are mounted on cross members. I wouldn't mount to the axle, I'd go bigger lumber.
 
Crossmembers

For a small boat like this, though, you won't need sling slots. The boat can be lifted via the stern and bow eyes.
 
Is that boat and trailer? I'm right at 12k with both. Plus 60 gallons of fuel and 20 gallons of water.
You're absolutely right! My bad... I was quoting from memory (hah!) from when it was last weighed (on the trailer).
 
I do know yours will weigh a little more. You have them bigger go boxes. I still need to get my pick up and the boat weighed.
 
I scaled mine right out of winter storage one year. 1/4 fuel in the tanks and the usual stuff you'd leave in it when not needed. My truck is the same as JHornsby's and was 7,000 lbs or so. The Gross was around 20,600 and that left 13,600 for the boat and trailer. I know the boat allegedly weighs 9,999 lbs from the factory, but that's optimistic! I also have a homemade triple axle trailer that is fairly hefty. I DEFINITELY need to add an additional bunk, but I've been complaining about it for 14 years and haven't done it yet. It lives on the trailer! Adding weight to fill the tanks, water, food, clothing and whatever else including the kitchen sink and another 1,000 lbs is easily attainable weight wise. Some time I'll have to weigh the empty trailer.
 
I still haven't been able to run across the scales around here with the pick up. But my 92 300DA is listed at 8000# dry. And with 60 gallons of fuel and a full tank of 35gallons of water it scaled at 12000#. I have called Metalcraft, the trailer maker, several times and still have not talked to anybody. I'd like to know more about the trailer. I'm sure they will have to have some sort of record of manufacturing for it. All tags and identifiers have been removed from components. But the placard shows a max load of 15,000 so I think I'll be good for what every the family "thinks" they will need.

It seems every time I roll past the scales, the weigh master is there. Or the patrol officers are hiding behind the scale house looking for speeders. Either way, they frown apon a non commercial vehicle stopping on the scales.
 
We have a couple of local recycling stations that regularly see semi truck action, and have scales to accommodate them. I think I'll head that way come Spring.
 
If you talking about the one down on Emerald, don't drive in until you walk it to see. I went in with a end dump and it took an act of God and congress to get turned in that lot. Literally no room to turn a pick up and trailer that size in there. And the scale is a single axel scale. Nice guys.
 
If you talking about the one down on Emerald, don't drive in until you walk it to see. I went in with a end dump and it took an act of God and congress to get turned in that lot. Literally no room to turn a pick up and trailer that size in there. And the scale is a single axel scale. Nice guys.
Nope, over in Nampa off of Comstock Avenue. A straight shot in, and a large radius exit. You seem to know a lot about my end of the universe; are you stalking me? If you are, no biggie; I'm flattered, of course.
 
No, I'm not stalking you. I spent three years working for Alta Construction there in the valley. And another year working for Steve Cooper Trucking. I went to school out at the east end of the runway at the Heavy Equipment Operators School of Idaho and hold a degree in heavy civil construction along with all of the add ons that go with. I lived off of Cole Road by Indian Lakes Golf course and then moved out to Caldwell just across the street from the Bi Mart. I would spend my out of home time at the National Interagency Fire Center and photographed the fire tankers coming and going. I have always been a sort of Hangar Rat. Ever since growing up and getting to hang out with folks like Gregory Boyington out in Ramona CA. Any who, I have worked on some big construction projects around Boise. I started with alta when they won the bid for White Water Parkway. I know enough about that job to put everybody at Alta away and about half of the folks with Ada County roads. There is some shady stuff that went on. If you got your water from the river, I'd stop drinking it and get tested for asbestos. But that can be said about the water system coming in from Arrowrock and Lucky Peak.
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