Bass Boat Forums
Bass Boat Maintenance & Repairs => Bass Boat Trailer Maintenance => Topic started by: dchance on February 24, 2015, 10:24:47 AM
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Due to the problem of possible hull blisters from carpeted bunks I am going to try these. http://www.caliberproductsinc.com/marine-trailer-accessories/BunkWrapsII.php
I did some research and think these will work well. I have not yet installed, just waiting for the weather to cooperate a little.
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@dchance Let us know how the install goes and how you like them afterward, when you've had a chance to unload and load your boat with this stuff on there.
Oh, and get pics of the install!! (yes)
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Install went pretty good. Easy to replace, time will tell on the synthetic bunk covers. good think I replaced. Several boards were rotted after only 5 years. I did not get many pics but what I have are on my phone. I will try uploading them later.
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Thanks for the update @dchance (y)
Looking forward to the pics (yes)
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@dchance I'll be real interested in your user review. Can you summarize why you went with this product rather than the Gatorback that everyone is chattering about on some other boards?
Jake
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Quite simply it was price. The cost of the gatorbaks was more than I was willing to spend so I researched other alternatives. I also talked with other bass boat anglers that ise them without issue so far.
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This is what ive got.
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Do you think they will hold the boat like carpet or will they let is slide down when you pull it out? My reason for asking is I never hook up the front of my boat when loading. I just drive it on and pull it out. I'm just wondering if this material will hold the boat in place.
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Do you think they will hold the boat like carpet or will they let is slide down when you pull it out? My reason for asking is I never hook up the front of my boat when loading. I just drive it on and pull it out. I'm just wondering if this material will hold the boat in place.
They do claim for reduced friction to make it easier launching and loading the boat. so yes, they will be slicker. As far as unhiiking the boat, I don't do it anyway. I ALWAYS keep it hooked until the trailer is in the water and right before I pull it out. I mean why not? odds are it won't slide off but why risk it with such an expensive toy for what, 15 extra seconds of effort hooking it up? Seems pretty silly. I always see the argument about how "well I've been doing it this way for years..." and I get that, but to me if there is a 1% chance my boat could slide off the bunks and land on the concrete why would I take that risk when all I need to do is keep it hooked up? Very little effort to eliminate the risk. So to answer your question....lol. (Sorry long winded) it doesn't matter to me if it is slicker because I ALWAYS stay hooked up if the boat is not in the water.
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Thanks for the pics and the update. Hearing about what you like or don't like after actually launching and loading the boat will be awesome (yes)
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I installed them at the ramp so I was able to load the boat one time so far with them and can say that it worked just fine and was MUCH easier to load. I don't like to power load as it puts a lot of unwanted stress on the prop so I drive it up and it slid nice and easy up close ans was much easier to winch up.
Also note that the manuf "recommends" not to use with fiberglass hulls if you are worried about scuffing the hull. This concerned me so I did a little digging and talking with some folks. It will not mar up the hull but rather protect the company from people who don't fully wet the bunks before pulling out. if sand or debris is on the bunk when you load it can scuff up the hull. You just have to back them in all the way and then pull out some. Funny part is, carpet is much worse about this. Sand and debris gets caught in the carpet and scuffs hulls as well. I didn't even realize this until I climbed under my rig and sure enough there are small scuffs from loading on carpeted bunks.
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Yes, it's always good to wet your bunks before loading! I also agree about leaving the front strap hooked up until boat is in the water and hooking the front strap before pulling out of the water.
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Thanks for all the info @dchance . Where we launch on our home lake there is 0% chance of it sliding off due to the shallow ramp. BUT we fish all over the place and lots of ramps are a lot steeper. So my practice and habit is to unhook or rehook at water's edge. Not before or after.
Jake