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I need to rework all hardware on my Cox trailer for my 17ft Montauk. I don't know if I should replace all rollers and install bunk boards or just replace all rollers and roller bunk rollers. Any ideas or folks who have actually done this before. Thanks.

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i was going to ask a similar question. I understand the whalers should sit on the trailer with all of the weight on KEEL rollers and with lateral support by bunks. i understand that bottom rollers (the tiliting set of 4 rollers like on some drive-ons) will ruin a whaler by leaving impressions over time.
I have noticed that the new aluminum trailers have bunks only. Should whaler owners steer away from the aluminum, non-keel supported trailers?
I look forward to hearing answers for both questions.

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Whalers like their keels supported. Recommended to have keel rollers and then bunks on either side just to support the boat athwartships. Side bunks for guides are also nice, particularly if you are loading the boat in windy conditions.

A recent thread that covers all the bases is here. click here!

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Also see this thread:

Trailer Recommendations

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Whaler has always recommend rollers only for the keel with supporting bunks. Roller trailers are not recommend and have been known to leave indentations from the rollers in the bottom of a whaler hull.

You can download a owners manual here:
Owners Manual

The only classic style Whalers built that whaler recommend rollers for was the Guardians, Raiders, Challengers, and Vigilant. The trailer BWGCPD sold for these boats both had keel rollers, bunks, and hull rollers. Here is an image of the BWGCPD trailer my father has for is Guardian. The use of rollers on these hulls was ok since they had a much thick fiberglass skin which was less likely to dent.

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Thanks for the info....will definitely help in redoing the trailer!!

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My 1991 25 Outrage/Cuddy/WD has sat on an all roller trailer atleast 12 years and not a single indentation. No damage at all. It is supported by keel rollers and rollers port and starboard. I have yet to see any photographs of any Whaler damaged by rollers. My buddy also has an 18 Outrage on a roller trailer since 1986 and no problems. My opinion, if the the trailer has keel rollers either set up will work well as long as its set up properly.......

[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q117/homey1110/Fishing%202006/Fishing2006036.jpg[/IMG]

I've spoken with people in the boat business specifically Fountain powerboats who have told me its not unusual for boat companies to recommend certain trailer set ups to avoid POSSIBLE hull warranty claims years down the line. I suspect Whaler has done the same. When I replaced the draintubes in my rear sumps I saw firsthand the thickness of the hull laminate and its plenty thick...One thing is for sure, I can pick this thing up in very low water....Can anyone post any photographs of a Whaler hull damaged by a roller trailer?

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Oh sure Mike now you ask for that image...I really had one on my old dead work computer. The particular hull with the indentation was very water logged though.

Honestly though not recommend a lot of people use roller trailers with their whalers with out indentations. I just like using a bunk trailer because I can float the boat off in a lot less water.

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Mike,

I don't have any photos but I can assure you, the Outrage 18' that I traveled 11 hours in one direction to look at, had indentations on the bottom of the hull from those BUNK rollers... I passed on the boat and drove another 11 hours home empty handed....

This particular boat had a Calkins bunk roller trailer and no keel rollers.
I'm not saying all bunk roller trailers cause damage but this boat definitely had some....

I would think that because you have keel rollers, the majority of the weight is placed on those keel rollers and the bunk rollers are just there to stabilize the load and that is possibly why you don't have any damage....

Why take a chance if Whaler even recommends not using the bunk roller system...... ?
Of course, if you aren't having any problems, I wouldn't run out and buy a new trailer.
However, if you ever need a new trailer, I would suggest getting one without the roller bunks...

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Jeff,

I suspect the water intrusion was a contributing factor that caused those indentations, combined with the rollers. I can float my boat in the same water depth as any bunk trailer.

I suspect years ago, Whalers were just put on trailers without any real thought, most people went with the cheapest brand possible to keep the costs down. A poorly fitted or unbalanced trailer will cause problems no matter what brand boat is sitting on it.

Joe,

I would have been pissed traveling 11 hours to see problems. I suspect if the boat you looked at had keel rollers it probably wouldn't have indentations. A Calkins bunk roller trailer with no keel rollers is a bad combination with a Whaler...You are correct, my boat is supported by the keel rollers and the other rollers are there to stabalize the load. I know this because the first few years I had my boat all the rollers were stuck. The bolts-shafts holding the rollers on had rusted so bad and swelled they would not allow the roller to roll! My powerwinch had to work twice as hard to pull the boat up the trailer. That translates into alot of pressure on the bottom and I did not find one hairline crack on the bottom when I removed the paint (at that time, the bottom was painted black). I've since removed the bottom paint entirely...I've replaced all the trailer hardware including the suspension and now its fine tuned....I can cruise between 65-70mph down the highway with no sway or vibration. The self adjusting roller trailer benefits are, being able to launch or retrieve in virtually no water.

I do like bunk trailers, particularly the Aluminum I-Beam type, they look sharp and are lightweight. I'm of the opinion, if you have keel rollers either will work. I just haven't seen any evidence to show me roller trailers are bad for Whaler hulls. I'm sure I would feel differently if there were a bunch of Whaler owners complaining of indentations but it seems to be a rarity at best. When my current Long trailer is worn out, I'll be looking closely at the the Aluminum I-Beams....

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I have a Caulkins roller trailer on my 22. My hull is ok but I dont like the trailer at all. Very flimsy and its very hard to to drive on for loading. I have several scars from missing the rollers. I had a Pacific bunk trailer for my 18 and it was a much better trailer. I bet the Pacific trailer weighed 3 times as much as the Caulkins. Also driving your boat on the Pacific was a breeze as long as you didnt get it too deep.