Boat bunk replacement

[K1500]

It’s time for me to replace the 4 bunks on the trailer of my 20’ aluminum bass/bay boat. The factory boards are sagging and cracked, and look to be made of low quality lumber.
 

The bunks have a ribbed plastic cover as opposed to the usual carpet. The covers on the factory bunks are definitely not the hdpe sliders, as there is some friction between the boat and the boards. The factory bunk covers look to be in good shape (5 years old). I could:

 

1. Replace the 2x4 bunks with new wood and recover with the original covers (cheapest option).

 

2. Replace the 2x4 bunks with now wood and cover with something new. Looking for advice on what covers to use.

 

3. Replace the bunks with some non-wood alternative. Haven’t done a lot of research but this looks to be the most expensive option. 
 

I am looking for advice on a) what material to cover the new bunks with, b) what wood to use, and c) any other alternatives I should consider. 
 

I am leaning toward using 2x4 non-pressure treated for the replacement bunks. I don’t know what to cover them with. I would also consider non-wood recommendations, especially if they were a permanent solution. Thanks in advance for any and all advice. 

[MN Fisher]

If replacing with non-treated, before adding carpet - 2 coats of oil based Spar Urethane - then put the carpet on.

 

If you want the best non-wood application - Original Ultimate Bunk Boards

[Jig Man]

I had mine professionally done last year.  The shop used treated lumber and covered them with the same carpet that is in my boat.

[TnRiver46]

I use PT and carpet 

[A-Jay]

I use spit & glue ~

A-Jay

[airshot]

Today's " treated" lumber is a joke, I wouldn't waste the money on it.  Becarefull with treated around aluminum as it has been known to cause corrosion. How easy do you want your boat to slide off ?  That will determine the covering on the bunks.  On my trailer, I spent the money and went with roller bunks and won't live long enough to worry about replacements.  Do your research.......

[gim]

I've had to replace my bunk carpet on one side twice.  The bunks themselves are fine.  I inspected them both times.

 

The ripping of the bunk carpet was my own fault.  When I was loading the boat, I used to sit in the driver's seat and there was extra weight on that side when loading, which led to the bunk carpet eventually getting ripped.  I fixed that problem by moving my weight closer to the center of the boat when loading.

 

Another item to consider is to make sure you back in fully when loading the boat back up so that the entire bunks get wet.  It really helps the boat slide better on to the trailer.

 

If you intend to replace with bunk carpet, make sure you use stainless steel staples too.

[K1500]

Thanks to all who have contributed so far. In doing a bit more research, I believe that what I have in the bunks now is gatorbak (or something that looks just like it). If I go wood I was concerned that PT could interact with and corrode the aluminum, especially when water is added to the mix. I assume this is a valid concern?

 

I need to go fishing so I can assess if the gatorbak is in good enough if condition to reuse. I’m leaning toward two options based on the feedback I’ve gotten. 
 

1. Use non-pt wood and reuse the gatorbak. This would be the budget option for sure. 
 

2. Use ultimate bunk boards. 
 

Based on the pricing, it looks like ultimate supreme boards would be roughly $600. Gatorbak replacement strips would be $300. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me to buy new gatorbak when I still have to use failure prone wood. I would just go ultimate in that case. Reusing my existing gatorbak would make the job super inexpensive (but I’d probably be redoing it once again in 5 or 6 years).

[TnRiver46]

My 1957 aluminum boat has been sitting on PT wood for…… 67 yrs now? I’ll let ya know if it ever reacts 😂 

 

it’s never seen a garage 

[GReb]

Cypress and carpet from the manufacturer. Two layers of carpet on the facing side. Use new hardware

[airshot]

Whew....a thousand bucks ??  You could convert to rollers for less and never have to replace them again. 

On my last conversion, I bought used roller sets off market place, less than 200 for all of them in great condition to...your call.....

[GreenPig]

I went with the Supreme Ultimate bunks on my jon. I was replacing bunk boards every 4 - 5 years, never again.

[Mustache Dave]

I used the Gatorbak covers instead of replacing the carpet.  I think that is the way to go.

[K1500]

Update, I finally got around to the job I was dreading. I replaced the bunks with Douglas Fir and recovered with my Gatorbak. The hardest part was finding a place to launch that had power and space to do the work (running an air compressor).
 

The existing Gatorbak was in excellent condition and was surprisingly easy to remove and reuse. The factory bunk wood was garbage and falling apart. The boat loads better now on the new bunks. It probably helps that they are rigid and properly canted to align with the hull. 
 

If the Gatorbak was trashed, I would have gone with the ultimate bunks. I have a grand total of about $25 in materials in the job. 

[The Baron]

I replaced mine last year with pressure treated lumber and boat bunk carpet, bought at a local marine shop.   Glued and stapled, was easy to do and the boat slides on easily.

[12poundbass]

This is on my list of things to due this year. The bolts are pretty rusted so I’m not looking forward to this project.

[gim]

On 3/10/2024 at 8:30 AM, Mustache Dave said:

I used the Gatorbak covers instead of replacing the carpet.  I think that is the way to go.

Hey Dave is see you’re in Maple Grove, MN. Can you post photos of your gatorbak on the bunks?

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

Can you post photos of your gatorbak on the bunks?

Another local guy! Ya - pics of the Gatorbak would be nice....I'm still looking at Ultimates, but a less expensive option would be kewl.

[Woody B]

I hope I get a few more years out of mine but when I need to replace them I'm using regular wood covered with polyester paint.  (bed liner material)

[VolFan]

I redid mine from wood/carpet to the Ultimate Bunk Boards, not that it’s the biggest boat, but the improvement is noticeable. It does slide off easier though, just something to be aware of…

[Bird]

1 hour ago, VolFan said:

I redid mine from wood/carpet to the Ultimate Bunk Boards, not that it’s the biggest boat, but the improvement is noticeable. It does slide off easier though, just something to be aware of…

The ultimate bunk boards will be the route I take.

The lessor friction won't be a problem, I don't unhook the bow until trailer tires are touching water.......drives my buddy crazy 🤣

[gim]

58 minutes ago, Bird said:

I don't unhook the bow until trailer tires are touching water.

 

When I'm by myself, I don't unhook that from the bow until the trailer is fully backed in either.  I am paranoid about the boat floating off the trailer before I can get in.

 

When someone else is with me, then I unhook before backing in since I am already in the boat and the other person is backing me in with the truck.

[GRiver]

Saw a guy at the ramp….. he used plastic gutters over his bunk boards, don’t know the longevity of them. He said they were very slick.

[Deephaven]

Does someone really have a problem getting their boat off carpeted bunks?  I would just treat my own lumber and carpet.  Not where I want to spend extra money would be on bunks.

[TnRiver46]

On 3/31/2024 at 7:59 AM, 12poundbass said:

This is on my list of things to due this year. The bolts are pretty rusted so I’m not looking forward to this project.

It’s a lot easier than cutting a road open