Has anyone tried Bunk Slicks???

Noland

New Member
May 28, 2010
68
Cypress, Texas
Boat Info
2006 SR 185 Sport
Engines
4.3 Merc TKS w/ Alpha 1
Big Air Oasis Tower
I have been doing some research on installing Bunk Slicks. I have read several reviews from other sites where the Bunk Slick actually damaged the Gel Coat.

I wanted to see if anyone has used them and what your thoughts were.

Thanks....
 
I am curious about this too as my boat is pretty heavy and several ramps I use are very shallow so that I usually have to power off the trailer. I've seen various alternatives to bunk slicks on amazon with names like slide trailer pads or glide slicks and also wanted to know what their downsides were as they are for the most part reasonably priced.
 
I'm a firm believer (and user) of bunk slicks. I love 'em. On my personal trailer (for the 260DA), I use Tie Down's version.

The spray stuff that Scott is talking about works great, too.

If you use the bunk glides/slicks, follow Scott's advice/words of caution for using the spray.
 
With my trailer boats (260 DA, 270 DA and 280 DA) I was always concerned that the slicks would create pressure points on the hull. I ended up using a spray called "Liquid Rollers" which worked beautifully and did not alter the bunks in a permanent way.

Give the spray a try first. Just don't do like some dumbazz did and release the boat from the winch strap before the boat is in the water, or you will be trying to find a crane.

http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/4980-liquid-rollers.html

1244805.jpg
Thanks! This looks like a good alternative to try before installing bunk slicks.
 
I have seen rollers as replacement for the wood bunk board. Has anyone tried those?

My first Sea Ray had an Easy Loader trailer, which had a roller array and no bunk boards. I much prefer that to bunk boards, because it was easy to winch the boat out of the water.
 
With my trailer boats (260 DA, 270 DA and 280 DA) I was always concerned that the slicks would create pressure points on the hull. I ended up using a spray called "Liquid Rollers" which worked beautifully and did not alter the bunks in a permanent way.

Give the spray a try first. Just don't do like some dumbazz did and release the boat from the winch strap before the boat is in the water, or you will be trying to find a crane.

http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/4980-liquid-rollers.html

1244805.jpg
I bought some of this stuff today at West and the instructions say to apply it to a dry bunk and then let it dry. That is going to take some planning as I typically wet the bunks completely when I launch.

So I have to launch, then let the bunks dry, then apply Liquid Rollers and let it dry, then put the boat back on the trailer. Oh well, if this works as well as everyone claims then I guess it will be worth it.
 
I'm actually suprised that you guys with the 185 and 190 have the same bunk issue as I do with my 240.

If yo udon't get the trailer deep enough yes you will have loads of problems unloading and loading specially if trying to do it alone.

When I find a ramp that doesn't let me get the trailer deep enough, I leave an find another ramp. You may not have this option but in Florida there are dozens of ramps.

I actually scout out the ramp way before I use it checking it at low tide and using a stick to measure the depth and length of the ramp so that I know when I arrive at the ramp I'll not have issues.

I learned this all the hard way. First time out I went to a ramp that was so shallow by the time I got the boat off the ramp it was sitting on the bottom in the sand. Was a nightmare to get back on the trailer.

Also one time once I got the boat on the trailer and out of the water I noticed I was about 1" from the front roller so I tried to winch it forward and broke the strap. That was fun too.

I've not tried the spray but I've heard good things about it. Just worried it would work to well.
 
Thanks for all the info. I think i will try the spray next time out.

It isn't that hard unloading the 185. The only problem is one park that I frequent has a very shallow ramp. It makes it difficult to launch when it's just me and the Admiral. She is a little worried about backing in too far. But I can understand that.
 
Thanks for all the info. I think i will try the spray next time out.

It isn't that hard unloading the 185. The only problem is one park that I frequent has a very shallow ramp. It makes it difficult to launch when it's just me and the Admiral. She is a little worried about backing in too far. But I can understand that.

I can understand that, how far are you backing in? I back in until the boat floats or the rear tires are almost touching the water, if I had 4 wheel drive I might get the back tires wet but I don't just cause I'm worried they could slip when wet, specially when pulling the boat out.

That said 99% of the time most of my trailer is underwater.
 
I can understand that, how far are you backing in? I back in until the boat floats or the rear tires are almost touching the water, if I had 4 wheel drive I might get the back tires wet but I don't just cause I'm worried they could slip when wet, specially when pulling the boat out.

That said 99% of the time most of my trailer is underwater.


I back in until the trailer fenders are submerged (the rear truck tires are usually wet). Then I unhook the winch and climb in the boat, trim 1/2 way down and put in reverse while the Admiral backs in a little further.

This ramp is very shallow. There is another one that I use but that park is closed for the summer for construction.
:smt013
 
I back in until the trailer fenders are submerged (the rear truck tires are usually wet). Then I unhook the winch and climb in the boat, trim 1/2 way down and put in reverse while the Admiral backs in a little further.

This ramp is very shallow. There is another one that I use but that park is closed for the summer for construction.
:smt013

Sounds like they need to close the one your using and make it deeper. There are a couple of ramps I'd like to use but I can't because I can't get enough water under the boat.
 
They are supposed to close that park during the fall/winter for renovations.... hopefully that means better ramps..:smt038


I will try the spray next time I'm out
 
Be careful with the bunk slicks. Tried them with our old boat, a 22' Wellcraft Cuddy. Ramps near the house are a little steep. So the stern would lift binding the winch. I ot in the habit of loosening the strap one turn before backing down. 1st time I used the slicks, started down, the boat started to move, broke the strap. The boat albost made it the 100' to the water. Stopped with the transom at the waters edge. Not a pretty sight.

I don't use the slicks anymore, just back in far enough that it floats.
 
Wow, I would have been freaking out if taht happened.

Thanks for all of the advice. I think I am going to try the spray next weekend.
 
Wow, I would have been freaking out if taht happened.

Thanks for all of the advice. I think I am going to try the spray next weekend.

Yeah, I think that would freak-out just about anyone!

But, keep in mind that that would have happened with a roller trailer, as well. The reason it happened was because the strap was loosened and the safety chain was removed (or there was none) before getting at least part way into the water. The strap could have been weak as well (the sun deteriorates and weakens the nylon straps over time). None-the-less, it's a good thing to be aware of.
 

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