So a bit of an update and final report unless the boat falls off the trailer as I head to lake this summer!
I got back to the bunk replacement job yesterday but always get sidetracked with other ideas for upgrades. Even if you have access to an overhead crane or any other form of boat lifting system, this bottle jack method works really well. It's controlled, safe and effective, and with some preparation in terms of cutting blocks to match the hull along with rubber spacers it's about as gentle on the hull as can be expected. Thanks again to
@JasonW who was the first to suggest bottle jacks. I like to buy quality tools but a Harbor Freight bottle jack or two for 1/4 of the cost of the US Jacks would be just as effective I'm sure. I don't regret investing in the jacks that I bought since I'll have them for the rest of my life and they'll see a lot of use on various pieces of equipment, not to mention using them on the boat again.
I've now got both bunks off and the starboard side bunk replaced. It's taken me longer than I hoped because I realized that I should never assume. The bunks, which are very heavy and probably original, definitely needed to be replaced. The boat and trailer are 2016 models, and perhaps the bunks were never set up properly to begin with, or maybe they moved over time, or the original owner or boat storage yard might have messed with them, I'll never know, but I had the realization that they weren't optimally positioned relative to the hull.
My first task yesterday was to get the stern aligned to the trailer which I did using a come along, strap and shackle. Then I finished installing the wrap on the new bunk and got it positioned optimally to the hull by adjusting the trailer brackets. Now the bunk is indexed off the radius that transitions to one of the strakes whereas before they bridged that radius. The outside edge of the bunk runs along the radius.
I cleaned the hull where it sat on the bunk on the port side and there's some light staining of the gelcoat but not a big deal. I plan on finishing up the port side bunk later this afternoon/evening and installing the new trailer guides that I made using DOM tubing and schedule 80 PVC pipe. Since the boat is now properly aligned to the trailer I can position the guides properly which will help when getting the boat back on the trailer.
boatstands.com
