Anyone use those slick guides on their bunk trailers

Graybeard

Graybeard

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Hi guys,
My old trailer was a roller trailer and this time I went with a bunk trailer for my new Freedom 225. The ramp I use most of the time is now very steep at all. In fact my old boat would get stuck on the rollers and most times it took some hard pushing to get the boat free of the trailer even with the rear tires of my truck touching the water. The park rangers at the ramp do not allow power loading or unloading because they say it erodes the ramp areas and are pretty nasty about it too. So I'm worried the new bunk trailer may have a similar problem causing me to have to push even harder to get the boat off the trailer. I did buy some of the liquid roller spray once I get the boat off the trailer for the first time. So I'm looking for any words of wisdom on the various guide slicks out there and any recommendations anyone might have. Thanks
 
Hi Graybeard;
I have been reading "from a distance" about your new ride and enjoying your excitement, conveyed thru your posts. I well remember the same feeling when I took delivery of my new, 2007 232.

Anyway, to your question. I have seen the result of the slick wax-type sprays you speak of. They can be a blessing and a curse all rolled into the same spray can.
The blessing is obvious, the boat slides off and winches on easily.
The curse is when your in a situation where the ramp has a steep incline. Unhook the strap from the bow eye and the boat will slide downward off the trailer with the speed of a freight train if the stern tie-downs are off. Hopefully it's landing surface is liquid, because it will leave the trailer on it's way to whatever is below it.

It doesn't hurt to put your truck tires into the water somewhat..Just don't submerge the brakes or the tailpipe. Just wash the wetted areas with fresh water afterword. If you can back in a LITTLE deeper and not bury the rear end of the tow vehicle, I would try that before the slick spray on the bunks. Your future explorations may take you to a steep ramp somewhere..Be prepared.
 
In re-reading your post, I hope I'm not mis-interpreting the product you speak of.
When you say, "slick guides" I think of the silicone-type sprays that my friends have used on their carpeted bunks.
If this is a different product, I ask pardon.
 
I think I know what you're talking about. My dads bunk trailer has what looks like real thick and flat PVC with grooves cut in them, running the whole length of the bunks. They are very slick and his 25' Proline slides right off. I'll see if I can find a link to what I'm talking about. They came on his aluminum trailer he just bought last year.
 
I was talking about the various kinds of plastic slides that screw to the bunks. I've seen various products in the various catalogs. Over on the Tidal Fish message board I got a mixed bag of advise. Some say they work great, some say they scratch the gel coat, but most agree not to disconnect the winch hook from the bow eye on a steep ramp or else. A couple guys recommended I try the spray stuff first before I order one of the various slick guide products in the catalogs. My plan to splash the boat tomorrow after my doctor's appointment may not happen because there will be small craft warnings on the Chesapeake Bay. On the other hand That may be just the best time to see how my F225 runs in the snot. But not if I can't get it to slide off the trailer.
 
I've used the slick plastic strips on the bunks and they are very effective.
 
I've used the slick plastic strips on the bunks and they are very effective.
 
I use these: http://www.surfixinc.com/surfix_trailer_bunkslides.html

They come predrilled with stainless steel screws ready to screw on your bunks.

I used them on my last boat so when I got the GW I bought them again.

Great product and they will not damage your gelcoat at all.

I always used roller trailers ( most people do here in AU) but since I installed the bunk slides they are almost as effective as rollers, make sure you don't unhook the trailer until ready to launch .
I will never use roller trailers again because the bunk trailers are so much better on the road.
 
I keep my Grady at a dry stack marina, so I just spray silicon on my carpeted bunks on the few occasions that I use the trailer.

However, I have tried 2 different types of bunks slicks on the trailer that I use with my Carolina Skiff that I drag around regularly for inshore fishing. I started out with white starboard slicks (I forget the brand), but I found that the boat would slide off the trailer far too easily even at ramps that were not particularly steep. I replaced them with these Tiedown Engineering bunk covers:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...sc_googlepla&gclid=CJL769nZ-bUCFRA3nAodOEQAfw

These grip the hull better when launching, but still allow the boat to be winched up easily on steep ramps.

I haven't noticed that they scratch the hull. However, it is hard to see new scratches on the bottom of my CS. :)
 
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