Bunk Spacing??

[mstang64bb]

Well, it's time to bring home the boat I purchased from the boat yard. She's an "88 268 DA. I also bought a new Venture bunk style trailer for her. I am trying to set it up to best fit the boat without going up and down the launch ramp. I know I can have the boat yard do it, but just trying to save the $150.00. I think I have the winch arm post set to the proper distance. Any suggestions what the bunk spacing should be? If I can't do this myself, I guess I'll have the yard take care of it....

 

[Gofirstclass]

Is the boat on the hard now? If so measure the distances between the centerline of the hull and the lifting strakes and use those measurements for adjusting the bunks. Also, the bunks should extend all the way back to the transom. If you stop short of the transom you'll eventually have a "hook" in the bottom of the boat where the transom sagged because it wasn't properly supported.

If the boat is in the water now, what you're probably going to have to do is put it on and off the trailer until you see how the bunks line up with the lifting strakes and have the bunk heights at the proper adjustments. It's not rocket science to properly set up the trailer, but it does take some time.

To make sure your winch stand is set right, have the boat properly loaded on the trailer and measure your tongue weight. It should be between 10% and 15% of the total weight of the boat. If it's too light the trailer will wander all over the road. Too heavy and the back end of the tow vehicle might sit too low.

If it was me, I'd spend a few hours on a week day at the ramp making sure it was set up correctly.

Nice looking boat BTW.

 

[mstang64bb]

Is the boat on the hard now? If so measure the distances between the centerline of the hull and the lifting strakes and use those measurements for adjusting the bunks. Also, the bunks should extend all the way back to the transom. If you stop short of the transom you'll eventually have a "hook" in the bottom of the boat where the transom sagged because it wasn't properly supported.

If the boat is in the water now, what you're probably going to have to do is put it on and off the trailer until you see how the bunks line up with the lifting strakes and have the bunk heights at the proper adjustments. It's not rocket science to properly set up the trailer, but it does take some time.

To make sure your winch stand is set right, have the boat properly loaded on the trailer and measure your tongue weight. It should be between 10% and 15% of the total weight of the boat. If it's too light the trailer will wander all over the road. Too heavy and the back end of the tow vehicle might sit too low.

If it was me, I'd spend a few hours on a week day at the ramp making sure it was set up correctly.

Nice looking boat BTW.

Thanks for the reply....

Yes the boat is in the hard. Thanks forthe help. I'll be sure to remeasure the strake distance vs. the bottom of the hull so it doesn't hit the crossbars of the trailer. I was hoping to find someone that already know the measurements to save time and testing...

Thank you for the comment on the boat. We bought it January and haven't had it out on the water yet. Yours is VERY nice as well. I don't think it fits on a trailer... :grin:

 

[CliffA]

i have been through adjusting bunks on a couple different trailers for different boats.....it is a 'LOT' of work....i am sure you can do it but it will likely take you the better part of a day setting the bunks in different positions, measuring the tounge weight, re-positoning bunks, etc.....the marina can use a large fork lift to hold the boat over the trailer and adjust the bunks and bow stop accordingly...it probably would not take them more than 1 hour to set up the trailer.....from my personal experience i would pay the $150 and let the marina set the trailer up....

cliff

 

[Gofirstclass]

I don't think it fits on a trailer... :grin:

Sure it does. The trailer's just a little bit bigger than yours and it's a real PITA to load, but it fit well.. It took two guys two days to get the flybridge wires unhooked, then four guys a day and a half to get the flybridge off and get it loaded on the trailer. But it fit.....:smt038:smt038

Everything is relative.

 

[dpvandy01]

+1 on spending the cash. I had a new trailer made specifically for my 280 and towed it to Sea Ray for fitting the bow-stop,,, as they were lowering the boat onto the trailer they noticed one of my through-hulls was going to hit a bunk. They re-fit and gently lowered my boat on the trailer. Had it been trial and error for me as a DYI project it could have been a costly venture. Pay the money, save the heartburn.