Replacing bunks on a #2 trailer

Just walked out to the neighbors and yes that looks about right. He said he just used a (plain or plane) to take down that one side.

SN, A plane is a great idea. I was figuring I had to find someone with a table saw.

Pete, hex bolts is a good idea. I see what you mean on the bevel. Hopefully, there's enough left of mine so I can copy the bevel.

I had brought new carpet with me to Lake George to change, only to be disappointed at what was underneath the shag carpeting that is on there now.

Pete, we've got about 13 hours on that 312 and it runs good. We're going to winterize it this weekend and declare victory for 2009. (knock on wood).

Pete, with all due respect I think that 45 degrees is way too much. When I did my 81 I bet there was no more than 10-15 degrees angle on the bunks all the way to the front. The majority of the boat rests on the rear 2/3 of the bunks so the bevel is not that important.

I used carriage bolts on mine so I could completely wrap the bunks in carpet and fasten it from the underside of the bunks, no exposed fasteners at all. I wanted to wrap the carpet under the bunk so the carpet would act as a pad to absorb a little vibration while traveling to try to prevent the fiberglass trailer pan from cracking under stress. To keep the carriage bolts from turning I drilled the pilot holes undersized and droved the bolts in tight. Doing that though I wasn't able to use nylok nuts so I went with lock washers and regular nuts. haven't seen any back off yet but I won't be surprised when they do.

personal preference I think but I just didn't want to see any staples on the sides of the bunks which is what usually happens when someone replaces carpet only.

Greetings all....I'm new here. I did meet Pete he knows his stuff.
For what it is worth; I just redid my '80 trailer also. The old bunks were still in tact; so I was able to copy the original. There is actually a radius on the bunk rail. (I used 2.50 in)
I believe they did that to compensate for the transition between all the contact points on the hull. I used carrige bolts too and counterbored them below the surface, then filled the holes over with silicone caulk as not to trap water for any length of time to encourage the start of decay. To keep the bolts from turning, just hacksaw a slot in the heads.

SNobsessed wrote: No insult intended for Grand Poobahs, but trapped carpet sounds like a rust problem down the road . . .

Good point in Bruce's case where he can wrap the carpet under but on mine if you take a look at the picture the only place to staple would be the sides and that would look lousy. Certainly not a finished enough look for me. My carpet also sits on fiberglass not the frame rail and I used pressure treated wood and stainless staples and hardware to prolong the life of it all. It will probably last until the frame needs paint again.

SNobsessed wrote: No insult intended for Grand Poobahs, but trapped carpet sounds like a rust problem down the road . . .

I agree, when I redid my trailer, it had very heavy pitting under those boards. There was not even any carpet under mine. My wood was in great shape so I reused it. The carpet pyle was deep enough to pretty much hide my monel staples. In my effort to keep it original I replaced the carriage bolts with the same I'm sure the wood they sell today,which is still growing, can't hold a candle to the wood used on mine, there wasn't a knot in them.

This is all helpful information. It sounds like I should rip the boards wider than what I have now so I can staple underneath on the overhangs. Maybe 1/2" on each side? Right now the boards are about as wide as the metal beams on the trailer. It appears that the bevels are the same all the way down the length of the boards. I'll know for sure when I take the boat and carpet off the trailer. I'm planning on using PT as long as I can find some clear pieces.

Gary, thanks, but don't do that. I'll start with a 2x4 and see how it looks. That's an awful picture of your boat.

Gary, thanks, great pic. Looks like a 2x4 to me.