Trailer Bunks V. Rollers? (URGENT)

Master Baiter · 03-26-2003, 09:47 AM

Hello All

My partner is buying a boat up in WA this weekend. The baot is a 22' Sea Sport. The boat does not come with a trailer though. He had a line on a used trailer but it turned out to be in very poor shape. So now he is looking to buy a new one and needs to decide on bunks or rollers ASAP to get the trailer lined up so we can pick the boat up this weekend.

I am wondering what the pro/con is on this decision, any thoughts, experiences, opinions, etc... are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance,

Thomas

jimh · 03-26-2003, 10:03 AM

I'd go with the type that the manufacturer recommends for that boat/model.

edsr · 03-26-2003, 10:03 AM

MB - Best info would be to call a dealer for the brand of boat and get their recommendations. Most of the dealers have a good handle on what works best with their products.

edsr

Troller · 03-26-2003, 10:04 AM

I would talk to the manufacture of the boat and make sure you get a trailer that will proberly support the boat. A friend of mine found out the hard way. He purchased a new trailer for his 24 foot maxum and used it to haul his boat on vacation. He launches the boat and it is leaking it had cracks in the fiberglass hull. Come to find out the didnt sell him the properly configured trailer and it was not supporting it in the correct places. So make sure whoever you get it from knows their stuff.

CorkyCatcher · 03-26-2003, 10:14 AM

If the manufacturer gives the choice of both, I'd go with bunks, much easier to load. At least from my experience.

Mr. Carp · 03-26-2003, 10:17 AM

I would recommend rollers, but they are more $$$$$. So much easier then trying to move the boat on some bunks. check with the manufacturer

Fish Hawg · 03-26-2003, 10:44 AM

Imo Go with rollers, they make it so easy loading and unloading the boat, you will use less power loading the boat. bunks have thier place, but on that boat I would go with rollers Quick Fisher

Master Baiter · 03-26-2003, 12:29 PM

Thank You for the replies thus far! I called Sea Sport and they confirmed that either would work so that puts the burden of the decision back on my partner. I personally have rollers with my Sea Sport but have not had it long enough to make a good opinion either way.

MB

Grain of Salt · 03-26-2003, 12:35 PM

Get both if possible, best trailer i had for my 25 foot crown dory had bunks for the back 4 feet (engine and transom support) and rollers for running up on when loading (the bunks would be submerged), as you pull out the boat settles nicely onto the bunks.

The Overfishin Condition · 03-26-2003, 01:15 PM

Rollers! You can load and unload anywhere, I could unload and load our boat on our front lawn if I wanted to!

CAGEY · 03-26-2003, 01:35 PM

I had one close to that size. Had the bunks and i loved them. Boat dealer told me that the bunks support the load much better but are a little harder to load with. I found that if you get the trailer in the correct depth of water loading is a snap. I always drove it onto the trailer. If i was buying again i would not settle for anything but bunks.

Master Baiter · 03-26-2003, 01:53 PM

I assume that you cannot drive onto a roller trailer since it wants to roll back off when power is let off. Maybe if you had the automatic "boat buddy" bow catch?

chummer · 03-26-2003, 02:00 PM

If given the preference, I opt for bunks. Easier loading in current, less pressure point stress on the hull, boat weight is distributed evenly over the length of the bunks rather then the weight resting upon 24 rubber wheels.

Beer Waggin · 03-26-2003, 03:12 PM

You can drive onto roller trailers, you just need to leave enough of the trailer out of the water and power on. The advantage of bunks is that they will allow your boat to center itself in most situations when loading in deep enough water. How well a 22' SeaSport will center itself on bunks I don't know, but Cagey seems to have some experience with this. I will agree that bunks provide more support, but only if the bunks themselves are supported.
You'll never put a boat that big in shallow water or you front lawn, so that advice is insignificant ( no offense

).

Master Baiter · 03-26-2003, 03:25 PM

I am actually rather impressed with the self aligning qualities of my rollers so far. My rollers seem to force the boat into alignment and sitting level when seated. My experience with the bunks that I have owned was that getting the boat to sit level (port to starboard) often was a challenge.

Dave, bummer I was really hoping to store boat on the front lawn, could make like a shipwreck theme, what a cool ornament! :grin:

[ 03-26-2003, 04:27 PM: Message edited by: Master Baiter ]

Master Baiter · 03-26-2003, 03:44 PM

And the final answer IS: BUNKS!

Thanks for all the help!

If y'all want to keep discussing, I think this has been interesting thus far!

MB

Salmonator · 03-26-2003, 09:27 PM

I've had both, currently have bunks under my trophy. Would buy bunks again given the chance. Another benefit is that you can completely unhitch and unstrap the boat before it's in the water without worrying about the boat flying off onto the ramp. Throw your buddy the rope on the dock and back it right down and off. No more walking on the tongue over water to unclip boat from strap and slipping and getting that one foot wet before you even start fishing....

STGRule · 03-26-2003, 11:23 PM

Just to add to the opinions: If you have a choice? Go bunks. I converted all the trailers here to bunks that I could. Easier to load and offload, especially in the wind (my opinion).

Beer Waggin · 03-26-2003, 11:45 PM

SeaSport's come new with roller's. I asked a specific questions about rollers vs bunks to the SeaSport dealer at the boat show. He said boats with stronger hulls can use rollers, which to me means that you could use either.
I'd call SeaSport and talk to them, their number in Bellingham is 866-549-0645.

And I agree, bunks are easier to load and unload, I have had both.

[ 03-26-2003, 12:47 PM: Message edited by: NorRivDave ]

chummer · 03-27-2003, 10:33 AM

NorRivDave, the boat in the front yard? I'm kinda liking the visual. Good theme for your summer party. You can invite me, i'll dress like the skipper, you dress like gilligan, I can hear the music now .... Just sit right back, and you'll hear a tale!.... Gilligan! little buddy! I better go watch some TV land.