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Author Topic:   Boatlift for my 1984 Montauk

MDCrabs posted 07-12-2010 12:43 PM ET (US)
I've researched the site and read up on trailering and can't find anything directly on point. The Montauk, when trailered, wants the weight of the keel to be supported with rollers and with bunks left and right to keep it balanced.
Are there any pictures out there for a boatlift rigging for a Montauk? I'm guessing a center carpeted 2x6 with two bunks left and right will be sufficient with PVC side posts to keep me centered. Has this already been addressed?
The Perfect Boat has been living in the salt 30 minutes from the beachhouse and it will be really nice to have it 30 houses away so I can finally make it part of our daily routine.
Tohsgib posted 07-12-2010 12:48 PM ET (US)
No need for center support for a montauk, even on a trailer. With a lift there is no bouncing, etc and the hull is perfectly strong enough to be held up by the bunks, as has my 19' Banana for decades now.
MDCrabs posted 07-12-2010 12:56 PM ET (US)
Appreciate the response. This is from this site:
Trailer
A very high percentage of Boston Whaler boats are trailerable boats, and many Whalers spend most of their lives sitting on trailers and being towed back and forth to the water. The most fundamental part of trailering is the trailer, and the most important part of the trailer is rigging it properly to accommodate a Boston Whaler. The unique construction of the Boston Whaler hull requires very specific trailer arrangements. The keel is the strongest area of the hull, and it should always bear the weight of the boat when on a trailer.
Until just recently, the trailer was almost always a dealer-added item, that is, the trailer was not provided by the Boston Whaler factory but by the local dealer. Do not assume that because a boat is delivered on a trailer from a dealer that it is properly set up. More than an occasional boat has been delivered from a dealer with inappropriate trailer rigging. The dealer may have trailers on hand or marketing agreements with particular manufacturers which cause him to use a trailer that is less than optimum for your Boston Whaler boat.
Bunk or Roller?
The proper trailer for a Whaler is one with a combination of keel-rollers and bunks. Quoting directly from the first Whaler's Owner's Manual published in 1970:
"Padded bunks should be used instead of the roller cradle variety, as these may become misdirected and gouge or puncture the skin. The bunks should be adjusted so they just touch the hull, preventing it from rocking. Excessive weight on the bunks will make launching and loading difficult.
"Keel rollers must take most of the weight. They must bear on the keel--NOT adjacent hull surfaces, which may be damaged by full weight bearing on a narrow roller flange."
By 1986, the Whaler Owner's Manual contained an even stronger caution:
"The keel of your Boston Whaler is the strongest area. The keel is designed to support the weight of the boat. For this reason, the trailer you select should contain center keel rollers to support the entire weight of the boat. Padded bunks should be located so they do not interfere with bottom spray rails and need only provide lateral stability.
"Roller type trailers should not be used on Boston Whalers. Although this type of trailer is popular they can also cause damage to your boat and to the foam sandwich construction. Roller trailers do not support the boat at its strongest point--the keel. The rollers can cause a ripple effect on the fiberglass which could disrupt the bond between the fiberglass and foam core. In addition, rollers can put excessive pressure on moulded bottom spray rails when the boat is being launched and retrieved."
Tohsgib posted 07-12-2010 01:06 PM ET (US)
Yes all that is true but it is also not necessary. I have towed many a Montauk, thousands of miles over many years without a keel roller and never had a problem.
Jkcam posted 07-12-2010 04:42 PM ET (US)
I've kept three Whalers on two different lifts without any keel support or any issues. The two bunks, properly located will work fine.

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Author	Topic: Boatlift for my 1984 Montauk
MDCrabs	posted 07-12-2010 12:43 PM ET (US) I've researched the site and read up on trailering and can't find anything directly on point. The Montauk, when trailered, wants the weight of the keel to be supported with rollers and with bunks left and right to keep it balanced. Are there any pictures out there for a boatlift rigging for a Montauk? I'm guessing a center carpeted 2x6 with two bunks left and right will be sufficient with PVC side posts to keep me centered. Has this already been addressed? The Perfect Boat has been living in the salt 30 minutes from the beachhouse and it will be really nice to have it 30 houses away so I can finally make it part of our daily routine.
Tohsgib	posted 07-12-2010 12:48 PM ET (US) No need for center support for a montauk, even on a trailer. With a lift there is no bouncing, etc and the hull is perfectly strong enough to be held up by the bunks, as has my 19' Banana for decades now.
MDCrabs	posted 07-12-2010 12:56 PM ET (US) Appreciate the response. This is from this site: Trailer A very high percentage of Boston Whaler boats are trailerable boats, and many Whalers spend most of their lives sitting on trailers and being towed back and forth to the water. The most fundamental part of trailering is the trailer, and the most important part of the trailer is rigging it properly to accommodate a Boston Whaler. The unique construction of the Boston Whaler hull requires very specific trailer arrangements. The keel is the strongest area of the hull, and it should always bear the weight of the boat when on a trailer. Until just recently, the trailer was almost always a dealer-added item, that is, the trailer was not provided by the Boston Whaler factory but by the local dealer. Do not assume that because a boat is delivered on a trailer from a dealer that it is properly set up. More than an occasional boat has been delivered from a dealer with inappropriate trailer rigging. The dealer may have trailers on hand or marketing agreements with particular manufacturers which cause him to use a trailer that is less than optimum for your Boston Whaler boat. Bunk or Roller? The proper trailer for a Whaler is one with a combination of keel-rollers and bunks. Quoting directly from the first Whaler's Owner's Manual published in 1970: "Padded bunks should be used instead of the roller cradle variety, as these may become misdirected and gouge or puncture the skin. The bunks should be adjusted so they just touch the hull, preventing it from rocking. Excessive weight on the bunks will make launching and loading difficult. "Keel rollers must take most of the weight. They must bear on the keel--NOT adjacent hull surfaces, which may be damaged by full weight bearing on a narrow roller flange." By 1986, the Whaler Owner's Manual contained an even stronger caution: "The keel of your Boston Whaler is the strongest area. The keel is designed to support the weight of the boat. For this reason, the trailer you select should contain center keel rollers to support the entire weight of the boat. Padded bunks should be located so they do not interfere with bottom spray rails and need only provide lateral stability. "Roller type trailers should not be used on Boston Whalers. Although this type of trailer is popular they can also cause damage to your boat and to the foam sandwich construction. Roller trailers do not support the boat at its strongest point--the keel. The rollers can cause a ripple effect on the fiberglass which could disrupt the bond between the fiberglass and foam core. In addition, rollers can put excessive pressure on moulded bottom spray rails when the boat is being launched and retrieved."
Tohsgib	posted 07-12-2010 01:06 PM ET (US) Yes all that is true but it is also not necessary. I have towed many a Montauk, thousands of miles over many years without a keel roller and never had a problem.
Jkcam	posted 07-12-2010 04:42 PM ET (US) I've kept three Whalers on two different lifts without any keel support or any issues. The two bunks, properly located will work fine.