Bass Boat Forums
Bass Boat Maintenance & Repairs => Bass Boat Trailer Maintenance => Topic started by: Curt on November 25, 2015, 09:25:58 PM
-
I remember when Ultimate Bunk Boards first came on the market back in the late 1990s or early 2000. I had considered buying them back then, but changed my mind.
Has anyone here had experience with them at all, or known anyone who used them?
Here's a link to their website, just in case you're not familiar with them. http://ultimatebunkboards.com/
-
I looked at that idea too and looked them up to find they were mighty proud (pricey) of their product. So, I started researching that type of product (not like they worked that thing out from scratch, right?) and got boned up on that whole "synthetic wood" deal with the chemical composition and like. I found that they didn't publish their info so I contacted them to request it. They wanted to know why so I explained I was shopping and comparing - which I was. They pretty well told me to go fly a kite... Really? :o So I came to the conclusion that they were just "repackaging" somebody else's product and marking up the price about 250% like it was something special.
I also decided that according to places that actually manufactured such stuff, it was required to be supported at way-closer intervals than what is provided for by trailer support spacing. In short, the stuff is going to start sagging between the supports in short order and that places too much weight on way to little surface.
When I looked at your link, I see where they figured that out because now they've added lateral attached metal reinforcement.
And shipping $ was just crazy.
I stayed with wood. Figured I could replace wood like 30x for the price of that other stuff.
-
Wood has never steered me wrong (nope)
-
It seems nowdays most are still using wood with the Gatorback covers. If my carpeted bunks wear out this is what I plan to go to also. http://www.gatorbak.com/
-
It seems nowdays most are still using wood with the Gatorback covers. If my carpeted bunks wear out this is what I plan to go to also. http://www.gatorbak.com/
Only issue w/ them is that the must be per mfg wet when you load the boat, their instructions:
We strongly recommend against (aggressive) Power loading or (any) dry Loading your craft. This will void your warranty from Gatorbak........
While ramp conditions can vary and will dictate the loading method required to compensate for wind, current or water level,
Always ensure that your bunks are wet before loading.
When loading your boat put your trailer in the water untill the bunks are covered in water as much as possible.
Then pull your trailer forward until the bunks are just at the water level.
If I did that my entire arse end of my Jeep would be in the drink on most ramps, geez, wood and good carpet are cheap and easy to maintain, spray w/ some silicone once or twice a year and they slide easy.
-
Doesn't change anything for me on mine, my carpet is always wet when I load. Have heard nothing but good things on the other forums, but I have not seen any in person.
-
Whenever I redo my bunks Im probably going with the Gatorback stuff. It keeps the parts where support meets boat dry. Yes I have the dreaded blisters on the bottom of my hull too. (fp). Not bad but they are there. So when I do replace my bunks it will be with something so that the hull can stay dry.