Liquid Rollers on trailer bunks...

[stevieb]

I'm pretty new here and have learned lots....

Just bought a new 206. Fantastic boat. Can't say enough good about it.

I also bought a used trailer to go with it cuz I'm a cheapskate....But, I had trouble getting the boat on and off. The carpeting on the bunks seemed just too tight. The boat wouldn't slide at all on teh bunks, even when wet. I couldn't winch the boat into place without seriously hammering on the throttle during loading...and unloading I would have to float the entire boat to get it off. At some ramps, that was a pain because I'd have my truck down in the water...

So, I sprayed a can of some stuff called Liquid Rollers on the bunks and it's night and day. It winches on, and pushes off like I expected. The stuff is pretty nasty smelling and unless you're into turning into a brain-dead veggie I wouldn't breath a whole lot of it... but it works. I don't know how long it lasts though.... If you have an older trailer it's worth a look. (and I'm not selling the stuff...just passing along a little info)

It's about 8 bucks a can. I got mine at a local marine supply shop.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Liquid Rollers on trailer bunks...

careful with that stuff, there was a post the other day about a guy having his boat slide right off at the launch.

[stevieb]

RE: Liquid Rollers on trailer bunks...

Yeah, I saw that. The bunks aren't so slippery that they are like greased lightning....and I always keep the boat hooked til it's in the water. I don't mind spending ten extra seconds to climb to the bow and unhook a clamp if it keeps the $$$$$ investment safe. For me, the bunks are now like I had expected new carpet to be.

[Rick]

RE: Liquid Rollers on trailer bunks...

I think its great also. However DON'T UNHOOK YOUR BOAT BEFORE BACKING DOWN THE RAMP!!! It works so well the boat will beat the trailer to the bottom of the ramp.

[noti_dad]

OK I'll ask the obvious..................

Why not just back the trailer in another foot and let it float on?

[stevieb]

Good question: I found the front bunks so unslippery the boat would get be stuck if there was anything touching the bunks...and in some landings it was just a pain not to get some slippage on the bunks. Just convenience. With the tight bunks I couldn't do any final inch or two tightening when I pulled it all the way out. Now with slightly slipperier bunks I won't break my winch getting the boat all the way snug to the front stopper.

[igkya]

I always dip the trailer in way too far and then adjust it to right water level. This pre-soaks the bunks and makes it easy to load. As for unloading, just back in another foot or 2 and let it float off.

[WakeSlayer]

new carpet on the bunks ? I replaced mine on my 90 SN once, made a pretty big difference. It is not expensive, either.

[stevieb]

Yeah, I'm going to put new carpeting on the bunks....and I'm going to put all new stuff on the trailer too: new wheels, new frame, new brakes, etc... Everything.

Okay, the truth is I'm going to get a new trailer. My 206 is so sweet, it deserves a nice resting place. The used trailer I bought is okay, just not up to par with the rest of the boat. Dealer is totally cool with a switch. I told them I wanted to save some $$ and now I realize I don't want to cut any corners. I will put a lot of miles on the trailer. It spends night in my garage, day on the water, and I like to roam. But, hey, if I were keeping the used one longer I'd put new carpeting on the bunks.

[mfloski]

I always float mine off AND on the trailer.....don't like the idea of sand or any other debris scratching up the bottom of the boat. Just curious but what does everyone else do, float on and off or drive it on and off?

[darrel409]

We are on the River and have a current and a steep ramp to deal with. We tie a rope to the front lift ring and one to the rear. Then we push the boat off into the current to float it over towards the trailer using the ropes to guide it like a kite. Float them off too.

[bscott]

darrel409, please tell me you are joking, and that you are not one of those who has to use the first launch lane next to the dock and has to park your boat at the end of the dock while you wait for someone to back the trailer in. We are on a river too, not a steep ramp to deal with, but my wife still drives the boat on the trailer when the current is strong and the wind kicks up.

[darrel409]

No, I am not joking... it is my own ramp not public. :grin:

[brodie]

Float/drive off, and drive on the last few feet. It doesn't hurt the vehicle to get the wheels wet. I haven't had to use the winch for years.

[Mikeski]

Sounds like the hull needs cleaning? I have driven on/off every nautique I have owned since 1972 to my current 2005 SV211. I rarely see somebody that spends less time on the launch ramp than us. Growing up around tournaments when you have 6-8 boats to unload/load teaches you to be efficient.