teflon for carpeted skids/alum hull

[finlander]

Is there a product out there you have used for an aluminum hull, a riveted one? I want to add it to the tops of my carpeted bunks. Thanks.

[Rupestris]

Not sure what you are asking.

Is your riveted hull damaging the carpet on your bunks? Are you looking for something that won't snag?

If you decide to replace the carpet with a rigid product like Teflon, you could run into two issues. One, a hard plastic like Teflon could cause damage to the hull where carped provides a bit of cushion when trailering/loading/unloading. Two, you don't want to add anything that causes the boat to slide around while trailering.

If you are having an issue with rivets disagreeing with the carpet, try to fix the rivets. If you can't replace them and they are snagging, try to cover the guilty rivets with a 2-part epoxy or sand rough edges to remove any burrs.

Chris

[finlander]

I didnt explain well enough I guess. I want to make the boat easier to unload off the trailer. With the carpeted bunks, it has to float off. I have read of products that will damage a riveted hull or the rivets will score said product. I am looking for a method to unload the boat at a shallow angle at our lake property. Trailer has to stay higher than I would like it to. I cannot push the boat off bunks. I'd rather stay away from rollers. I would have to switch to a cable from a strap on the winch, as most straps stop at 25'. Hope this helps, thanks again.

[Rupestris]

Ahh. Gotcha.

In that case, I'd look for a rigid plastic that can go over the carpet as you alluded to.

Just thinking simple but, things tend to slide around pretty easily in truck bed liners like the DuraLiner/CargoLiners. Being made of a thermoformed plastic, you could cover the bunks with a similar product.

Kydex is a similar offering that can be bought in sheet form and easily formed with a heat gun as it becomes pliable/formable at a rather low heat.

I haven't done much searching but a 4' X 8' sheet at 1/8" will set you back about $190.

Kydex is rather rigid but I doubt it is hard enough to damage the hull. The rivets might scratch or score the Kydex but I don't think it'll damage the boat if you keep it thin (read flexible) enough.

Chris

[frenchriver1]

You can buy solid bunks that are made of a slippery material that will aid loading and unloading. I have a set I have to install next Spring on my trailer. The cost is reasonable and you just have to replace the exisiting bulks with the new ones. Simple job the first time you unload the boat, just switch them out...

Am toying with the idea of cutting the bunks lengthwise in half, and then attaching them to matching lengths of 2x4 split the same way, so you get two sets of bunks out of one set of slippery ones.

[Hotwired]

Type in bunk slides or bunk glides on google.
There are many companies out there.
I use Bunk Slicks and they work great.

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/366975621.htm?utm_medium=productsearch&utm_source=google

[Greenbush future]

Pledge work on your carpeted bunks but I would be very carful with making your bunks slippery, as this could cause big issues durring regular use and ramp use. In general you should use a ramp that works correctly need a product that allows you to use behind your house. Some people dont back down far enough to guide on/off, your situation sounds a little different.

[finlander]

I have been thinking about this for awhile and wonder if the slick pads I MIGHT add will cause the boat to slide right off before I get to the water. Carpet is nice. I can unhook the clip and the safety chain and can back down with no worries. One ramp and Fisherman's Landing here in Muskegon worries me. It is that I dont really need the 'slicks' all the time, just at our property on the lake. Some slick products are small sections that you'd add every little bit, and there would be carpet between them. I just want to be able to push the boat off the skids when I want to launch it in skinny water. It is an aluminum, riveted hull. Would rollers work on it, are they easier to push a boat off of? I just dont want to see the boat on the pavement before the water. :yikes: Thanks for all the replies.

[waterfoul]

Finlander, where are you located? I have a product at work that will do what you want.

[finlander]

I am in Muskie-gone, butt I hear there are still a few caught here........:lol:

[finlander]

They carry a few products in their catalog. Some full length and some just sections. What is your product at work like???

[waterfoul]

Tell you what... let me get to work tomorrow and I'll shoot you a PM on what we have.

[waterfoul]

Crap! I forgot!! Tomorrow I promise.

[Crowhunter]

Never unhook the boat until you are in the water with rollers or a slippery surface .Bud

[finlander]

That is what it boils down to I guess. What I have is property on a lake, no house. I want to put in my 16 footer there. I cant get reel close to the water's edge with the trailer. I would like to pust the boat off the trailer onto a roller system on the ground, to take the boat to the waters' edge. Some landscaping has to be done also. The lake has a launch site but it needs repairs done before I will use it again. This is the reason for the post.

[waterfoul]

OK, I sell a product made by Tie Down Technologies called Modular Bunk Glide On's. Each kit comes with four 2' sections, four 2' end sections, and 3/4" stainless self tapping screws. Basically you buy enough kits to fit your trailer bunks. Each kit runs $73 and I will ship them to you free (I do free shipping for ANY Michigan Sportsman member). These are made to fit on 2x6x8.

Here's the link:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/270358/377%20710/0/Glide%20On''s/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=Glide%20On''s&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=Glide%20On's&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5005&subdeptNum=17&classNum=641

I know the link says 3' and 1' sections... but the kit I have here is 2' and 2'.

Mike

[finlander]

Thanks for the info. Cabelas sells that one too but I think the strips are a different size. Still not sure what route to go. Wish a trailer had both carpet and rollers.....Now there's a money making idea.....:lol:

[Hilljack]

Spray some AmourAll on the bunk carpet and they will be scary slippery for a whole season. Don't untie the boat at the ramp until it's floating in the water, It will act like a roller trailer.