Low friction bunk covering

[mixyblob]

I'm looking to cover the bunks on my sib trailer with a low friction material so it is easier to adjust the position of the sib when on the trailer.
I was thinking of using that plastic grass material but
can anyone suggest or recommend anything else?

[Sonar]

easy solution any type of nylon carpet not foam backed.

Then adjust the trailer to suit the sib.. you Only need adjust the trailer once.. if you fit some docking arms....

[mixyblob]

Originally Posted by Sonar

if you fit some docking arms....

That's the reason for my post, I've just removed the docking poles as I'm no longer going to launch or recover the boat direct onto the trailer.
The plan is to tip the trailer until the launching wheels take the weight of the rear of the boat and its clear of the bunks.
Its then just a matter of lifting the front of the sib and wheeling it off the trailer and into the water. (Well, that's the theory ;-) )
I've decided that dunking the trailer is no longer an option, its rusting away and I'm getting fed up with changing the bearings.

[jeffstevens763@g]

convert to a breakback trailer?

[mixyblob]

No, just tipping the trailer on its axle will be enough to engage the launching wheels, once I've modified the rear of the trailer.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by mixyblob

No, just tipping the trailer on its axle will be enough to engage the launching wheels, once I've modified the rear of the trailer.

this is something i am looking at i thought of plastic industrial conveyor rollers but not sourced what i want as yet.

theres swaptraxx roller bunks in the USA will ship world wide fit on top of timber.
and a liquid called marykate liquid roller found it on line £35 a go but not sure of the effect on fabric for repairs etc.

[paddlers]

I never dunk my trailer. I just back down the slip until the tyres touch the water. Marked one side where the supports are with marker pen and drop the bunk on that side a couple of inches so the boat's sitting on the keel rollers and push it back with the winch on free. I then put the bunk back to its original position and winch it back on when I recover !
Personally hate the thought of replacing all the corroded gubbins especially as it's an SBS sealed for life braked trailer. 3 years never had a problem (fingers crossed ) !!

[mixyblob]

A very neat solution but I have neither keel rollers, or the facility to drop a bunk. I built the trailer to be as simple and cheap as possible.
But, I do agree that dunking the trailer is bad news.

[mixyblob]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

this is something i am looking at i thought of plastic industrial conveyor rollers but not sourced what i want as yet.

theres swaptraxx roller bunks in the USA will ship world wide fit on top of timber.
and a liquid called marykate liquid roller found it on line £35 a go but not sure of the effect on fabric for repairs etc.

That liquid roller stuff sounds great but I'd prefer somthing that stays low friction, permanently. I only envisage moving the sib on the bunks 2 or 3 inches at any one time.

[jyasaki]

1/4" HDPE, PTFE, or PVC panels on the bunks can be cut to any size and are pretty slippery. They are sold here as "Glide-on" bunk pads (and I've heard of several boats dropped onto the ramp after putting them on.) They're designed for use on hard hulls, but should work the same on SIBs, I would think. You do need to make sure the boat is securely tied down when not shifting the boat on the trailer, though.

I'd avoid rollers as a long term solution due to the focused pressure they exert at the contact points.

jky

[mixyblob]

The HDPE or PTFE sheets sound just the ticket, and I've just found a supplier not many miles from me, thanks :-)

[jeffstevens763@g]

Mixy


Let us know prices I have been on direct plastics PTFE is expensive but uhmwpe £113 + £10 cutting for a 2000 x 500 x 5 MM. good slip value

Cheers

[mixyblob]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Mixy


Let us know prices I have been on direct plastics PTFE is expensive but uhmwpe £113 + £10 cutting for a 2000 x 500 x 5 MM. good slip value

Cheers

Ok, will do but if its anything like your quote, it will be more than I'm willing to pay.
Waiting to hear from these people

[mixyblob]

Originally Posted by mixyblob

Ok, will do but if its anything like your quote, it will be more than I'm willing to pay.
Waiting to hear from these people

Humph, they no longer sell HDPE.

[jeffstevens763@g]

sent a mail to direct plastics asking for cost affective solution will pass on when they reply.
but for info HDPE 2000 x 500 x 5 =£27.12 + plus post & cutting £10
10 mm = £54.24
40 mm = £300.
based on 3 pieces 2 bunks 1 keel 150 wide 5 mm thick about the least you can have to screw down gluing can be tricky with some materials they point out.

cheers

[jyasaki]

Cutting is easy. HDPE works like soft plywood (though you end up with plastic shavings everywhere.) Can be sawn, routed, whatever, easier than most woods.

jky

[mixyblob]

I've just sprayed the bunks (covered in carpet) with Holt Pro Lube Spray, which I had lying around.
The boat slid like an ice cube in a KY jelly factory
Problem solved

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by mixyblob

I've just sprayed the bunks (covered in carpet) with Holt Pro Lube Spray, which I had lying around.
The boat slid like an ice cube in a KY jelly factory
Problem solved

How will that affect the boat fabric if future repairers needed (glue adhesion)

[mixyblob]

No idea, but I would imagine it would prevent most things sticking to it, including glue and patches.
But, thats not a problem, at the moment.

[whisper]

This guy sells these in the USA...

REPLACE BOAT TRAILER CARPET WITH EXTRA WIDE ( 4" x 54" ) BUNK SLIDES | eBay

Hope that helps