Roller bunks fitted at last

[Anchorhandler]

Hi Gents

Found some spare time this weekend and picked up the roller bunks from my friendly local galvanizers...Got them assembled and fitted yesterday.

At the rate im going i just might get some use out of our rib by September! ......Just got to fit the final keel roller on an extended bracket aft of the rearmost crossmember, fit the guide wheels at the rear to allow me to power up the trailer, fit the mudguards, fabricate and fit the winch post and frame work for the onboard water tank (for imediate wheel flushing) and various other fiddly bits and pieces.....so not too much then

For those that are curious, Iv included a pic of the shrink wrapped u'bolts and the plastic bearing assemble of each roller....works quite well with each roller centered and spinning freely. I have cross drilled each roller to allow me to shoot some grease down onto the running surface from time to time.


As always, any and all coments welcome.....

Simon

[Apherel]

Interesting - a roll on bunk trailer - nice job. Sooner you than me on greasing each roller!

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

As always, any and all coments welcome.....

I'll reserve judgment until the 'guide wheels at the rear to allow me to power up the trailer' are fitted.

If these prevent the bow from fouling on the overhanging chassis rails, when recovering, then I'm sure it will be a goodun.

[martini]

Incidentally, where are you planning to launch from? Since your part of the world doesn't generally lend itself!

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by martini

Incidentally, where are you planning to launch from? Since your part of the world doesn't generally lend itself!

I think he usually launches from Granville if I remember correctly, but he's got a mooring out to the west so keeps it there much of the time too (opposite Ouessant).

He was going to launch on the Rance before Christmas but I don't think he ever got round to it. If so it would suggest that he is often around our area. As you know there is so much to explore from us, not only the CIs .

You suggested a picnic at Chausey a while back, still on for that?

[Anchorhandler]

Hi Matt

Yep I have to admit this is a bit of an unknown quantity... The proof will be in the pudding I suppose, just got the boat onto the trailer yesterday and hoping to get her launched sometime in May. She will be spending a lot of the season on her berth in Audierne in Finistere but will prob be launched a few times from Granville or St malo...
My biggest concern is the height she sits at on the trailer meaning it will have to go in a long way before she floats free or can be recovered. Still, the trailer is just over 7.6m long so should be ok.
Most slips I use are pretty sheltered so tidal flow shouldn't be an issue...

Downhildai... I took your advice quite seriously and will be fitting a bracket aft of the readjust crossmember to hopefully prevent any contact. It will have a set of wheels which "should' centre the boat to a certain degree and help guide the boat onto the rollers...
Well that's the theory anyway.... I decided to go down the route of roller bunks to give much better support when she was sat on the trailer, at present she sits on 20 rollers and 5 of the 10 keel rollers.... I was also put off by 'IMHO' the extortionate cost of gullwing roller assemblies (for what they are)..

Keep the advice and comments (both good and bad) comming... Always appreciated

Simon

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

prob be launched a few times from Granville or St malo.

Look forward to it

Floptilla

[Anchorhandler]

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Look forward to it

Floptilla

Hi oliver...yes, will PM you when she is ready to see if your about.

Simon

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

Hi oliver...yes, will PM you when she is ready to see if your about.

Simon

[MustRib]

interesting thread...
I have just transferred the Gulwing roller ramps from
my old trailer to the bigger trailer under the Gemini.
I have owned them for a few years, but I didnt think
they were extortionately priced. Maybe they put up the price in the last few years
All I can say is they have made a real difference to launching and
recovering any of the boats that they have previously sat under,
the Searider or the SIB!.

[kubcat]

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

Hi Gents

Found some spare time this weekend and picked up the roller bunks from my friendly local galvanizers...Got them assembled and fitted yesterday.

At the rate im going i just might get some use out of our rib by September! ......Just got to fit the final keel roller on an extended bracket aft of the rearmost crossmember, fit the guide wheels at the rear to allow me to power up the trailer, fit the mudguards, fabricate and fit the winch post and frame work for the onboard water tank (for imediate wheel flushing) and various other fiddly bits and pieces.....so not too much then

For those that are curious, Iv included a pic of the shrink wrapped u'bolts and the plastic bearing assemble of each roller....works quite well with each roller centered and spinning freely. I have cross drilled each roller to allow me to shoot some grease down onto the running surface from time to time.


As always, any and all coments welcome.....

Simon

I love them. I have a similar set up on my very old 20ft Bertram. The whole trailer rusted and the only thing I kept when I built a new one were the alloy wheels for sentimental reasons and the bunk rollers as I couldn't find new ones and I need them. It is a very heavy fibreglass boat with twin V8 shaft drive engines and there is no way it will slide off carpeted bunks.

I am guessing you made these.

Excellent!