Bunk Boards or Roller Bunks and Brackets for Boat Trailer and 26 Cuddy Cabin Boat

Question:

My neighbor purchased a nice 26 cuddy cabin with twin 150hp outboards. The trailer that came with the boat is in bad shape. Its a aluminum trailer but the tubing that the bunks should be connected to are rusted out. They have the bunks resting on the frame of the trailer. I dont know much about trailers or boats, but I have never seen bunks sitting on the frame of the trailer unless its for a pontoon boat. The trailer has 13 rims and license plate drags the ground. A gentle told him that trailer is classified as a low tide trailer. Is there such a thing? He want to fix the trailer because he was told it could be fixed. I told him I would do some research on it and pass the information on him and if it can be fixed lets fix it correctly. Should the bunks sit on the frame of the trailer? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

asked by: Chris J

Expert Reply:

I don't believe there is a style of trailer called a low-tide trailer. Most of what you find on an internet search of that term is a broken boat trailer, so the gentleman may have been telling him his trailer was broken or soon to be broken.

I've never seen bunk boards resting directly on the frame, so I recommend getting some bunk brackets. I recommend the CE Smith Bolster and Swivel Bracket Assemblies - Galvanized Steel - 13" - Qty 4 # CE10002G-4 along with the CE Smith U-Bolts - Galvanized - 3-13/16" Long x 3-1/16" Wide x 1/2" Diameter - Qty 4 # CE15283GA-4 to mount them to your frame. This can utilize your current bunk boards or with the CE Smith Carpeted Bunk Boards for Boat Trailers - 6' Long - 1 Pair # CE27840.

Another option is to use the Dutton-Lainson Boat Trailer Deluxe Roller Bunk - 5' Long Sections - 12 Sets of 3 Rollers # DL21741 along with the Boat Trailer Roller Bunk Bracket # DL21742 and the U-Bolts listed above.

The 13 inch wheels may be okay as long as the load rating of the axles and wheels work together and there is enough fender clearance.