CTFishTalk.com: Carpeted Trailer Bunks - Connecticut Boat Repair, Electronics, and Motor Help ( CT Boat Repair, Electronics, and Motor Help ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

I recently noticed that my boat trailer bunks are rotten. They're soggy and warping, and one of them has mushrooms growing out of it through the carpet. After researching the alternatives to replace them, I decided to use 2 x 4 ipê (aka Brazilian Walnut), which is a kind of ironwood that doesn't rot. I also bought 24 ounce black UV stabilized ribbed bunk carpet made of 100% BCF Polypropylene Fibers UV stabilized for outdoor use. Today, NWDarkcloud (aka Bob) let me use his workshop and helped me fabricate the two bunks:

We attached the carpet to the ipê with stainless steel staples and stainless steel screws with stainless steel carpet washers. We'll put them onto my trailer tomorrow. In the meantime, the carpet I bought came in a one foot by 50 foot roll and I used less than 20 feet of it. If anyone needs really high quality boat trailer bunk carpet, I still have a lot of it.
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Redneckangler · Joined: 05 May 2012 Posts: 851 Location: Meriden, CT

Looks like a nice job!
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SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

Very nice Phil. Question - how did you guys get your boat off the trailer so you can work on it? Jack? I have to do some minor work on my bunks and trailer, but never figured out a safe way to do it.
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Steve

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

I tried to get a boat sitter to watch The Other Woman, Too on Batterson Park Pond while Bob and I replaced the bunks on my boat trailer, but the sitter didn't wake up when I texted her, so Bob and I went with alternative one, and jacked up and blocked the boat on the trailer. Before we started, I unstrapped the two rear tie-downs, but left the bow tie-down attached. We put Bob's 2-1/4 ton floor jack under the keel at the stern and put two blocks under the hull and on the frame of the trailer:

Then we put the floor jack under the keel at the bow and put a single block under the keel and on the frame of the trailer:

With the boat supported above the two bottom bunks at three points on the hull and keel, I climbed underneath and saw that a wavy bunk had worn the paint right off the hull at a high spot in several places:

Here's one of the soggy old bunks:

Shrooms!

Before we drilled holes to receive lag bolts in the new bunks, we used one of Bob's nifty hole punches to get bits of carpet out of the way:

Replacing carpeted trailer bunks is easy peasy! Cool

It was so easy that we went ahead and also replaced the carpeting on the two guide bunks. I still have more than 25 feet of one foot wide 24 ounce boat trailer bunk carpet, if anyone needs to recarpet their bunks.
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Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

The new carpet looks great. I bet it will last you a long time. I'll have to do the same with jacking it up on blocks. Thanks!
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Steve

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

Thanks Phil, will do.
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Steve

DirtyDawg10 · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 2238 Location: Granby, CT

Nice job!!

kennethshaw · Joined: 16 Aug 2011 Posts: 60

Hey peck,

I'd be interested in the carpet. My bunks are hurting as well and could use it. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get the wood?

Ken

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Hey, Ken,

I got the ipê from Miner 's, which is a lumberyard at 129 River Road in Collinsville, behind the Ocean State Job Lot. They had an old load of ipê for a deck that never got picked up. I bought an eight foot length of 4" x 4". They charged me $11.00 per foot for it, but ripped it into two 2" x 4"s for free. They still had what I think was a 10 foot length of 4" x 4", so if you'd be interested in it, you should give them a call.

You're welcome to have my extra bunk carpet. Sent me a PM with your telephone number and I'll give you a call.

Phil
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Wanna Fish · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 662 Location: Earth I Think

Did you eat the mushrooms?
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rvolkers · Joined: 23 Oct 2011 Posts: 359

last year we re-did a boat with some 5 inch hose from the fire house - the hose was a great idea - the boat went on and off the new bunks very easy! the hose fit snug and water tight (if there is such a thing! - most fire houses have old hose up for grabs! we bought pressure treated 2x4's and the hose was for free. it worked perfect for us cheap-skates!

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Speaking of free, I never heard back from Ken and still have over 20 feet of trailer bunk carpeting. It's just taking up space in my garage.

Lemme know if you still want it, Ken. If I don't hear back from you, the next CTFishTalk member who could use it could have it. It would make a great off-season project. . . .
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Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

Wanna Fish · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 662 Location: Earth I Think

If Ken doesn't get back to ya I'll pay you for it. My son is in need of a bunk replacement.
_________________
Don't hold your farts in! They travel up your spine to your brain and thats where shitty ideas come from.