Broken bunk. Can I just bolt a second 2X4 to the top?

[scooper77515]

I was at the car wash washing out the remainder of my oily mess, and noticed that one of my bunk-boards has cracked at a knot in the wood.

Rather than replace it completely, and have another sagging piece of wood, can I just lag-bolt a second bunk to the top without having any issues?

I don't see any reason having the boat another 1-1/2" higher would be a problem, but want to see if anyone else has had any issues with a similar setup.

I figured this would keep the bunks from sagging as much since there would be almost 3" of wood rather than just the one 1-3/4" piece which on my boat tends to sag a bit.

 

[Dr Honda]

I would use treated deck lumber. It will last longer.

 

[MSzucs]

I, personally, would replace the bunk boards, both of them, completely. And like the Doc said, w/ treated lumber. It would take about the same amount of time, and that way you know the new boards will last quite a while. Doubling up the boards, while looking goofy, would also put your ski higher off the ground, requiring you to back your truck further into the water when going on/off the trailer.

 

[scooper77515]

That sucks. I don't even have a year on these so far, and one snaps. Only snapped because there was a knot in it I didn't notice. Right in the middle of the length of one bunk.

Isn't deck lumber only 1"thick? Or am I thinking of something else? Isn't that the stuff that already has the edges rounded off?

 

[MSzucs]

I know the deck planks you're talking about - and you want to avoid those. They're too thin. You are going to want a true 2x4 for these. But definitely treated! Also, I'm assuming you're planning on putting new marine carpet on the planks... Sanding/rounding off the leading edges of the planks might be a good idea to avoid any damage caused by the sharp corners while of/off loading.

 

[scooper77515]

That is how I did the ones I put on last summer. Sanded all corners and edges down, tacked on and contact cemented the carpet, bolted them to the trailer.

Didn't last too long...

 

[luish]

if you use a treated true 2x4 it will last longer. Recently I re furbished my trailer and this is what i did to the bunks.

1. Cut them and sand the edges.
2. Used some urethane to seal the wood
3. Used Contact Cement to glue the marine carpet.

 

[scooper77515]

I didn't urethane, but that sounds like a good idea.

I just contact cemented the wood and stapled down the flaps at the bottom. The carpet held up, but the wood didn't.