Trailer sling cutout location on bunks for R25 Classic

[scross]

We are having a new trailer built for out new to us 2009 R25 Classic.
Does anyone have sling cutouts on their trailer bunks for a R25 Classic? We are trying to add cutouts to our trailer but don't have the measurements for where to place them.
We have lots of photos of R25's on slings but not the actual measurements.
Looking for the two distances from the bottom of the transom to the center of the bunk sling cutouts.

 

[scross]

Using the photos I have and the very rough side view of the boat in the owners manual, my best swag is aft sling position is at 6' 2" forward of transom bottom and forward sling at 15' 1" forward of transom bottom.
Boat currently in slip in San Juans, trailer builder in Bellingham and me in Southern Oregon so can't take measurement off boat myself....
Help greatly appreciated!

 

[baz]

The sling strap positions can vary from one R-25 to the next. The reason for this is related to the weight distribution of the boat. More weight in the bow V-berth area will shift the forward strap forward. More weight in the stern will cause the rear strap to move further aft.

The important thing is that the sling operator will gently lift the boat and study how it hangs. If bow down then the strap(s) will want to be repositioned. The sling operator from my experience are pretty good at this juggling activity. Just keep an eye on things as the boat is initially lifted.

 

[scross]

Barry is correct of course. But for cut out locations on the trailer bunks, I can only use one permanent position for the forward and aft sling cuts. They need to be close to correct regardless of my Tug's particular longitudinal loading at any given time.
So, after a few more measurements, I went with 5 ft 6 inches for the aft bunk cut out an 15 ft 0 inches for the forward bunk cut out location. These measurements are forward from the transom.
Relative to the boat, the aft sling bunk cut out is just about centered on the cockpit side step out and the engine is about 2/3 forward of the sling line. The forward cut out is about 2 to 4 inches forward of the wheel at the helm.
Having previously had a bunk trailer without cut outs, I watched in awe as each end of my 24 ft Monterey had to be jacked up and lowered three times to get the slings under boat and into the right position. It took a long, long time!
Hopefully, these locations will make getting the Tug off the trailer a lot easier!
Will provide an update next month after the Tug is lifted onto the trailer in Anacortes!

 

[joempo]

For what it's worth, we had our 2007 R-25 launched and recovered at Cap Sante this past week. It was our first experience (other than at a maintenance yard) and it took maybe 20 minutes at most.
For my money, I would not go through the hassle of having cutouts created. If the cutouts are not correctly located, the sling operator will still have to raise the boat off the bunks in order to place the straps. Plus, it seems to me, each edge the boat has to contact when not "slinging" while launching or retrieving at a ramp will remove bottom paint like a putty knife.
Joe

 

[scross]

Since expense equals $0 and hassle is limited to sending trailer builder the cut out placement locations, my experience with my Monterey 242 told me cut outs were a good thing to include in the build.

 

[nzfisher]

First let me say that I worried about this issue when I first got my boat and was going to do the same cut out you are talking about. After a year of using the boat and taking it to Anacortes I now agree with Joe. The majority of places with pull out slings have jacks and experience in pulling out boats like ours. My experience at Anacortes has told me cut outs are a non issue with a 25. If you do have the bunks cut there are issues with warping and deformation of the bunks unless you use special materials that resist deformation, (wood moves). If you did go ahead with this it would be smart to float your boat on the trailer rather than drive it up on the bunks for reasons mentioned. It might be good to check with places that you intend to visit with slings and ask if this is an issue for them. The Anacortes sling is a pleasure to use and is at a very reasonable cost. I would use it over launching my boat anytime if there was a sling where I keep my boat.

 

[scross]

Interesting feedback and a lot of things to ponder...
I will normally be using a ramp to launch and retrieve my R25. I like the ramp and free parking at Bellingham alot!
That said, the boat has been on the sling on three different occasions in the past 60 days and I expect to need to sling it in or out of the water from time-to-time for various reasons.
My experience with a bunk trailer with no cut-outs and my Monterey 242 was at Skyline Marina at Anacortes. With out the cutouts it took well over an hour to get the boat off the trailer and in the water. They had to position the slings initially, jack the hull slightly off the trailer, move the slings closer into position, remove the jacks, re-jack it back up with the jacks in a different location, move the slings some more, remove the jacks, re-jack it up a third time, then move the slings into the final position and then remove the jacks for the final time. I'm not sure after watching all that how it could be done any easier....
Getting the boat out of the water and back onto the trailer was almost as complicated.
If the Monterey had bottom paint, all that jacking and sling movements might have removed a fair amount of it!
With bunk cut-outs I think you can just run the slings through the cut outs and lift the boat up. No rubbing the slings up and down the keel. Minimal stress to the bottom paint!
It's my understanding that this Bellingham area trailer builder makes a number of trailers for Cutwater's. The bunk cut outs seem to be a standard feature of his trailers.