Posted by Jreising on 04/17/07 - 12:19 PM
#1
I am new to the whaler world just bought my first 17' Montauk, it needed a new trailer so I purchased a Loadrite 17245090V Bunk trailer,looking for any tips on how I should set it up for easy loading and launching in shallow water. (Keel rollers, Roller Bunks, Bunk Slicks, just carpet bunks,etc., and if so how many??) Thanks, Jim
Posted by Joe Kriz on 04/18/07 - 7:36 PM
#2
Jim,
I can tell you what I like and I'm sure you will get other opinions.
Definitely NO roller bunks.
I set my boats up with 4 carpeted bunks. 2 long near the center and 2 shorter ones outside.
Keel Rollers on every cross member. On larger Whalers, double keel rollers on every cross member.
I like to adjust the keel rollers up enough so the boat slides fairly easily for retrieving the boat but not too easily so it slides off by itself should something come loose.
This is something you can adjust to suit your own needs.
My reasoning for 4 bunks.
1. More support. I travel long distances so supporting the boat as much as possible is added safety. If you have only 2 bunks and 1 bunk breaks, it kind of ruins the trip.
2. This makes it simple to pull one bunk off and replace the carpet or the entire bunk without having to support the boat in any other way.