Glen-L.com

So, I repainted my trailer today and I have a complete suite of new keel and bow rollers
I also have two 8' treated 2x4s for bunks and new carpet.

I'm planning to cut the lumber to about 6 1/2' and line the rear edge up with the transom. Beyond that, it all guesswork.

Since I'm going with two bunks, I'm wondering where I should place them in relation to my battens; under the inboard pair or the outboard pair--split the difference?

I am also opting to place my boat directly on the trailer for top side finishing. This means I need the bunks positioned and angled correctly before I flip. I was considering getting a few helpers and setting the inverted trailer atop my un-flipped Zip to adjust the fit. Is this a good idea? Anyone have a better one?

_________________
Andy Garrett

"When all else fails, follow the instructions." -Dad

If you are just going with two bunks you might consider at least 2x6 material. I'd go more outboard then inboard with them. It's also good practice to locate them under a batten.

For fitting you can get them close then block the boat up using some jacks and/or blocking material and fine tune the fit and location of the bunks.

_________________
Bill

I told my wife we needed a three-car garage for my projects...she told me to ask her for permission next time before I buy a house.
http://www.unitybuild.net

Andy, just a heads up for ya but the bunks on my trailer are 7ft and I dont think I would want them any shorter. Especially while you are fitting out the decks and interior, it can get nose heavy while working forward and want to tip forward on the bunks until you get the motor mounted. My bunks are about 13.5 inches from the center of the keel to the center of the bunk.

_________________
My Zip build log...
http://www.vupilot.blogspot.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/vupilot/Chr ... O0x7SvsQE#

"Nothing screams poor craftsmanship like wrinkles in your duct tape."

Thanks guys, maybe I'll extend the length a bit. Heck, maybe I'll add two bunks while I'm at it.

_________________
Andy Garrett

"When all else fails, follow the instructions." -Dad

Hey Andy, I used 4 bunks on my Zip. I made the inner ones 8 ft long and set them along the inner battens, The outer ones are 5 ft long and run along the chines. I used 5/4, 6" treated deck boards covered in 3/8" high density foam and heavy bunk carpet. Probably overkill, but the boat rides very comfortably on long hauls. I also added a roller near the front of the keel to keep the bow from going too low into the trailer up front. I made templates of the transom and #2 frame bottoms and used them as a guide to set the bunk angles. The 5/4 deck boards can flex a bit and conform to the boats changing shape very well. Once the boat was on the trailer, I could adjust the bunks up or down, via the slots in the brackets, to better fit the boat bottom.

Roberta

_________________
Roberta
Built Zip "Oliver IV" and Super Spartan "Jimmy 70"

Thanks Roberta.

I went ahead and bought more mounting brackets and set up four bunks. Two are 6.5 feet and two are 5 feet. Double layer bunk carpet on all top surfaces.

I also bought three new 10 inch keel rollers, a new bow roller and a spool roller for the stem.

I should be well protected.

_________________
Andy Garrett

"When all else fails, follow the instructions." -Dad