Trail-Rite is finally putting together a web site, but there isn't much information there yet. However, there is a phone number for questions, unless it's more fun to kick this around some more. Their number is 714.556.4540 (how very European.) The web site address is, oddly enough, http://www.trailrite.com. Let us know what you find out.

I know on my Performance trailer, the large majority of the weight rests on a carpeted 2x8 running the length of the trailer, which distributes the weight nicely. The boat stays on the 2x8 by a pair of adjustable carpeted 2x6s bolted vertically on either side of the keel board that help to guide the keel where it should go. I watched the folks at Seaward (where I bought the trailer) as they adjusted the bunker boards to the sides of the hull. As I recall, they set the boat on the trailer, slid the bunker supports up snug, lifted the boat and brought them up a couple of inches more. As the boat settled, the bunkers curved outward to the form of the hull.

In my post after returning from picking up old boat and new trailer in Florida, I mentioned that one of the bunker boards had cracked within ten minutes and had to be replaced. I'm sure it was a fluke, since it cracked on a rather large hidden knot. Once it was replaced, everything went fine from FL back to VA.

Just in case though (once bitten twice shy), I backed each bunker with a 1 1/2"x1/8" bar strap (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) the length of the bunkers (~6') and painted them with tractor paint. The bar was just slipped in between the back of the carpeted bunker board and the upright support and the strap is kept in place using the same bolts and holes as the boards, so there's no chance of scratching the hull. It flexes if necessary, but even if the bunkers were to break, I don't think any damage would be done to the boat.

Doug


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Doug King
M-17 #404 "Vixen"

Montgomery Sailboats Owners Group Web site: http://msog.org
Email: mailto:msog@msog.org