Thread: bunk boards and aluminum boats

I used untreated 2X4s 10' long for my 16' jon. I coated them with wood preservative on both sides and the ends - two coats - then I bought PVC fence post covers from Lowe's HIW, ripped them lengthwise and then screwed them to the sides of the lumber. The covers are meant to go over a 4X4 post and are only 8' long so I got 3 and patched them in so they covered the whole bunk. The absolute best trailer I ever used. The only thing I had to remember was to not unhook the winch hook until the transom of the boat was in the water. Otherwise it would slide off the trailer onto the ramp. I then could power load the boat with the transom mounted trolling motor when I retrieved it.

If you used the bunk covers you could use any lumber you want as it will not contact the aluminum hull.

The second picture is how I screwed then in from the sides so the screws never touched the boat. And it shows how I bent down the PVC cover at the back end of the bunk.

I did the same thing and they are great. I put mine right over the carpet.

I've always used treated wood. But the boats were painted which creates a barrier plus the bunks are always carpeted which creates another barrier. That PVC is even better.

I checked with several sources last fall before changing out the bunks on my old trailer and was told the chemical used to treat/waterproof the new treated lumber won't hurt aluminum like the older stuff. Most sources said to buy Yellow Wood brand and it was good to go.

I called Ranger boats and an engineer told me they use the yellawood for bunks on the trailers for aluminum boats. I also called yellawood and they said it won't hurt the boat......but if you look at their directions for using it they don't seem to advise aluminum contact. Whatever, I think I'll go with yella wood and the caliber bunk wraps this time anyway. I talked to a vendor on the phone and he says he has kiln dried #1 yella wood with no knots.......we'll see about that as well. These bunks are getting expensive. I'm tempted to just go with kiln dried fir, marine carpet and change them every 3 years whether they need it or not.
The 4x4 post covers looks like a good idea. I've see where a guy used pvc gutters but the post covers seem sturdier.
Thanks for the responses.