Bunk Carpet or Slide/Glide Strips

H

hardee

New member
OK, so now I have addressed the bunk board issue, and I am moving on. Next layer up is either carpet or some sort of plastic slide or glide type material. I have gone back through the entire "Trailer and Towing" section and this is not really addressed.

As I see it: (Please add to these as you see them.)

Carpet Pro's: Does not hold water against the hull. Has more friction, so less movement when towing. Maybe less wear on the gel coat.

Carpet Con's: Might hold grit or dirt, wearing on the hull more. May need replacement more often.

Slick Pro's: Less frequent replacement needed. Easy slide on and off. Easier application to the bunk boards.

Slick Con's: More expensive than carpet. More slick than the carpet, so more motion when towing. Questionable increased wear on the gel coat, due to harder surface.

I am interested in hearing other views, suggestions, opinions and comments, particularly before I start with the covering.

Thanks all, and good night,

Harvey
SleepyC
 
Hi Harvey,
I just replaced the forward 7' of my carpet with glide-ons in fact to reduce wear on the gelcoat. I have not yet had the chance to test it, but I trust the advice from Bad Boy who researched this extensively. The gelcoat at the bottom of the knife edge on the Tomcat's was getting worn down considerably with the carpet bunks. The carpet under high pressure will certainly serve as a kind of sand paper.

The disadvantage of the glide-ons is the cost and the fact that you have less friction. As we have all learned from crazy ramp stories, NEVER disconnect the bow strap or safety chain until you are afloat.

Bottom line, I think the glide ons will reduce wear on the bottom and make launch/retrieve easier. The wear is not likely as much of an issue for your monohull though.
 
Matt,

Thanks for the quick response. I have 2 parallel wear lines, the same distance apart as the inside edge of the center bunk boards, and running about the forward quarter to third of the hull length. At the bow end they curve what looks like out and up, until viewed from directly below, where they appear to be parallel also. Hummmm, the bunk carpet shows wear at the aft end of the bunks, on the center corners. Not a funny coloration, so this time I rounded those corners substantially prior to putting the finish onto the boards. Thought I might even try to double up the carpet on that aft end a few inches. :idea:

The carpet under high pressure will certainly serve as a kind of sand paper.
Click to expand...

I agree and therefore I think it is important to Float on and off as much as possible. I do still like the idea of the increased support of the bunks, and stability of load, over the rollers.

The hammer's not down yet so I'm still open to discussion.

And Thanks,

Harvey
SleepyC
 
I agree Harvey, and this is why I opted to cover just the forward portion of my bunks. I can hopefully realize the best of both worlds. Carpet aft to hold her down and glide-on's forward to minimize wear. It's only the forward portion of the trailer bunks that see the 'heaviest movement wear' since of course the rear portion is fully submerged.

Good luck with the process. Removing the old carpet and rusty staples is the hard part!
 
The slicks installed by EZ Loader on my Tom Cat bunks are nothing like rollers. I would not worry about the boat coming off the bunks too fast. It still takes some effort to launch and retrieve. Of course, this is with a 9K# boat. Dunno what the dynamics would be for a 22.

Warren
 
Harvey,
I think the wear pattern in the gelcoat is caused by the fact that the bottom of the boat changes planes along its length and therefore wears one edge of the bunk forward and the opposite edge aft. At least that is my experience on my 22. I would still stick with the carpet. On my boat the wear is very minor would take a lifetime to cause any problem. My previous experience with plastic slicks was not good. On another boat I owned, they caused a lot of wear on the gel coat. Probably depends on the particular boat and how it sits on the bunks.
 
Thanks all for the replies.

OK, carpet it is, and bunks are done for now. Next step, load the boat onto the trailer and check and see if the bunk surfaces are parallel to the boat surfaces when there is a load on the trailer.

Have a good night, All,

Harvey
SleepyC
 
Find out today how the boat sits on the new bunks.

Anyone using the "dry roller" carpet spray from WM on their bunks? I have tried it in the window slides, and it makes them pretty slick. Is there that much difference on the carpet on the bunks? Is that a use every time process or does it stick to the carpet for many dunkings? :?:

Thanks again, and I will update the fitting record after it is done.

Harvey
SleepyC
 
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