Outrage 25 keel roller trailer setup - shorten side bunks?

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  Outrage 25 keel roller trailer setup - shorten side bunks?

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Author Topic:   Outrage 25 keel roller trailer setup - shorten side bunks?

russellbailey posted 10-09-2010 10:22 AM ET (US)
I have a Continental keel roller trailer under my 1984 Outrage 25. The trailer is very similar to the one that LHG has under Whale Lure - 5 cross members with doubled Stoltz rollers and a 6th cross member with a single roller.
Currently, it has side bunks on it that are 2x6x10 - 10' long side bunks. These extend about 0.5' past the stern so there is about 9.5' in contact with the hull. Actually the very front part does not contact much. These bunks are connected to the trailer at 4 cross members. As far as I know these are OEM.
In the rear of the side bunks holes have been cut to allow the sumps on each side to drain freely. Currently there are no clamshells over these sumps, and as far as I know that is how the boat came originally. As is the tube end drags a little on the bunk where you can see it has torn the carpet some.
I am considering removing the rear 2.5' of each side bunk. If I did so, that would result in the following changes.
1. Side bunks do not contact hull until 2' forward from the stern.
2. Side bunks are supported by 3 cross members rather than 4.
3. Side bunks stop short of the rear sump drains, and I can put clamshells on without any bunk interference.
4. The ability to have clamshells covering the sump drains without interference with the bunks would be the driver for this change.
Before I cut the side bunks, I wanted to get opinions here on if the proposed change would result in any unexpected problems. I don't foresee any stability problems in loading, and I think that there would still be ample side bunk in contact with the hull to stabilize it trailering. Further, I can't think of any reason why it is critical to have the side stabilizing bunks all the way to the rear of the hull on a keel roller setup - after all, the side bunks should not be carrying much weight.
Thanks for your input.
Russell

themclos posted 10-09-2010 10:58 AM ET (US)
Russell,
I think your plan is sound. Since the keel rollers support the weight of the boat and the bunks only provide stability, I think 7.5 foot bunks are more than adequate.
Dan
Eagleman posted 10-09-2010 11:25 AM ET (US)
Russell,
I have a 25' Revenge set up on a CONTINENTAL trailer. I've experienced the same bunk wear points. Rather than giving up any lateral support on the hull, it was my thought to support the hull with the edge of the 2x6 rather the face of the 2x6. The surface area for lateral support would be 1 1/2" rather than 5 1/2" wide which moves the support surface away from the calmshells.The rerigging of the bunks wouldn't be difficult and this should allow you to keep the entire length laterally supported. I haven't done this to my trailer yet but I think the idea has merit.
Eagleman
Russ 13 posted 10-09-2010 06:54 PM ET (US)
I had the same clam shell contact problem on my 22'.
Changed the bunks from flat side up - to end side up.
hull is still supported all the way to the transom.
And NO clam crushing....WIN / WIN.
What was needed: different brackets to hold the bunks, available at any boat trailer store.
I cut the boards at an angle to match the hull.
Removed the old carpet & installed new carpet, with stainless staples.
Hull is supported, drain holes are happy as a clam-z.
Also was able to lower the height of the boat on the trailer, making launching easyer.

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Author	Topic: Outrage 25 keel roller trailer setup - shorten side bunks?
russellbailey	posted 10-09-2010 10:22 AM ET (US) I have a Continental keel roller trailer under my 1984 Outrage 25. The trailer is very similar to the one that LHG has under Whale Lure - 5 cross members with doubled Stoltz rollers and a 6th cross member with a single roller. Currently, it has side bunks on it that are 2x6x10 - 10' long side bunks. These extend about 0.5' past the stern so there is about 9.5' in contact with the hull. Actually the very front part does not contact much. These bunks are connected to the trailer at 4 cross members. As far as I know these are OEM. In the rear of the side bunks holes have been cut to allow the sumps on each side to drain freely. Currently there are no clamshells over these sumps, and as far as I know that is how the boat came originally. As is the tube end drags a little on the bunk where you can see it has torn the carpet some. I am considering removing the rear 2.5' of each side bunk. If I did so, that would result in the following changes. 1. Side bunks do not contact hull until 2' forward from the stern. 2. Side bunks are supported by 3 cross members rather than 4. 3. Side bunks stop short of the rear sump drains, and I can put clamshells on without any bunk interference. 4. The ability to have clamshells covering the sump drains without interference with the bunks would be the driver for this change. Before I cut the side bunks, I wanted to get opinions here on if the proposed change would result in any unexpected problems. I don't foresee any stability problems in loading, and I think that there would still be ample side bunk in contact with the hull to stabilize it trailering. Further, I can't think of any reason why it is critical to have the side stabilizing bunks all the way to the rear of the hull on a keel roller setup - after all, the side bunks should not be carrying much weight. Thanks for your input. Russell
themclos	posted 10-09-2010 10:58 AM ET (US) Russell, I think your plan is sound. Since the keel rollers support the weight of the boat and the bunks only provide stability, I think 7.5 foot bunks are more than adequate. Dan
Eagleman	posted 10-09-2010 11:25 AM ET (US) Russell, I have a 25' Revenge set up on a CONTINENTAL trailer. I've experienced the same bunk wear points. Rather than giving up any lateral support on the hull, it was my thought to support the hull with the edge of the 2x6 rather the face of the 2x6. The surface area for lateral support would be 1 1/2" rather than 5 1/2" wide which moves the support surface away from the calmshells.The rerigging of the bunks wouldn't be difficult and this should allow you to keep the entire length laterally supported. I haven't done this to my trailer yet but I think the idea has merit. Eagleman
Russ 13	posted 10-09-2010 06:54 PM ET (US) I had the same clam shell contact problem on my 22'. Changed the bunks from flat side up - to end side up. hull is still supported all the way to the transom. And NO clam crushing....WIN / WIN. What was needed: different brackets to hold the bunks, available at any boat trailer store. I cut the boards at an angle to match the hull. Removed the old carpet & installed new carpet, with stainless staples. Hull is supported, drain holes are happy as a clam-z. Also was able to lower the height of the boat on the trailer, making launching easyer.