Avoiding trailer roller and/or bunk markings on hull

[baz]

Subject: Avoiding trailer roller and/or bunk markings on hull

I'm new to trailering and I have to wonder what kind of damage and/or rub markings the trailer rollers and/or bunks make on the boat's hull surface.

Do they cause damaging rub marks (especially over time) ? If they do what advice, if any, is there for reducing the marks or even eliminating them altogether ?

Also, I'm understanding that to lift the boat from the trailer at a Marina's Sling Launch facility the effort is more if the boat trailer has bunks vs. rollers due to there being more care and time/effort to place the slings around the hull. The roller spacing makes it easier to route/place the slings presumably. Due to more time/effort required by the Marina's staff dealing with bunks they quite likely will charge more for the round-trip.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hello BArry,

In my limited experience, there WILL be linear "wear" or "scratches" from the bunks if you launch from and re-load onto your bunk-type trailer. Not serious scratches, but visible.

As to "slinging" your boat off the trailer and into the water...I've seen bunk-type trailers with 'cut outs' in the aft portion of the bunks so the aft sling can easily fit through. Imagine a 6-8" cut out in the bunks where the aft strap for "slinging" would go. As the factory they will know. Or, as you mention, you can go with a roller type trailer.

dave

 

[walldog]

For a boat this size Cap Sante kept a small jack to lift up the stern a bit to slip straps under at no additional charge. They limited this service to boats under 26 foot so the 27 did not qualify. But your 21 will work just fine.

By the way I do have really nice boat house with straps that will fit a 21 nicely for sale in Texas on the Gulf of Mexico. As a bonus it comes with a great home.

 

[baz]

Herb: Is a permanent move to the PNW in your future maybe. :lol:

I'm hoping Andrew can tell me that the factory stock trailer for the R-21EC has bunks with gaps that allow the sling straps to be easily passed through. This bunk design seems to be a most intelligent arrangement for the sling lift. My Edmonds Marina runs a business 😱 and with my unused dock slip at this time they use it for transient guest moorage and reduce my monthly invoice. A nice touch, but found out the other day they charge the guest $26 more per night than what my monthly daily cost is. Do I get the $26 ? ... not on your life... Edmonds Marina pockets the extra. :twisted:

I'm terminating my Edmonds dock slip at end of this month as I have no further need for it.

As an aside, and from a business perspective, my eldest daughter who has a sailboat docked/kept at Port Of Edmonds told me she is engaging a service named Airbnb at https://www.airbnb.com. This allows her to rent out her sailboat (which sleeps 4) for a few nights at a time to people who wish to avoid high hotel prices etc. All these type people need is a roof over their heads for a few nights while they explore the local sights. Edmonds is ideal for PNW as they can catch the Sounder train that stops at Edmonds Marina and within 30 minutes can be downtown Seattle or go north to Everett and even further north along the coast line.

So Herb/Willie, check this Airbnb service out for your Texas abode. 🙂

 

[sheral]

FWIW... we don't have any sign of wear / marks from the stock bunks on the trailer. The trailer is a work of art in itself! Overkill but we love it. I have heard, although I have nothing to back it up with, that adding rollers or the teflon glides do cause more harm than the stock carpet covered bunks. Maybe something to check out...