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OK I read an awful lot on trailers for the classic montauk-- and keel roller vs bunk, continental vs others... Well maybe for convenience I have decided just to work with a local EZ Loader dealer to replace my rusted-in-the-frame trailer. So I am thinking Bunk , EZ loader 14-17, 2000lb , not sure yet if I can get a torsion axle option on that, but here is my question:
If I forgo the keel supports for now, should the bunk board be 2x4 placed like they were on the inside chine originally-- or is the 2 x 6 better, perhaps placed differently- if no keel roller is present. My initial thought is the wider it is, the more it spread the weight out. Thoughts? Experiences?
1979 Montauk Had Magic tilt and now Continental trailer, set up same way. 8' X 6" bunks placed between outer pockets (inside the chine as you mentioned) facing inward. No rollers. Used petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on carpeted bunks to slide boat on and off real easy. Put winch stand at waters edge and no matter what the tide, have no problems using this method. Can launch and retrieve by myself.
Others swear by rollers also, but I have not had a problem using this method and I have owned the boat since 1979.
With a new trailer, the carpet had a lot of friction and getting boat off and then on required more power.
Marine stores sell a spray that does not last very long on the carpet to help it slide.
Vaseline is cheap, use a putty knife to apply and lasts about (depending on times used) about 4 months. Then just reapply. It leaves no sheen in the water. 32 years in the USCG taught me a few things.
You can learn a lot of tricks from this site.