Check Your Bunk Boards And Hardware

[J-Doc]

Today I decided to raise my bunk boards a little. I was amazed that 90% of the u-bolt nuts were loose. Kinda scary really.

So........next time you are about to load your boat, check your nuts! . Your u-bolt nuts that is.

Just thought I'd share this. Hope it helps someone.

[bluebasser86]

Good advice there. I often forget to check the little things and it's amazing how fast a little thing can become a big problem, like say a wheel bearing for instance. No feeling like looking back to check the boat and seeing smoke coming off one of the tires

[kjackson]

On my last trip, I had a side guide board fall off...somewhere. I pulled up a the launch, unloaded and saw that it wasn't there. Checking the other side board, I found that the bolts were basically rattling around in the board itself. Got those fixed for a while. The missing board is being replaced today in time for a trip tomorrow. But it has made me think about what else may need to be replaced.

This trailer was used in northern saltwater sporadically over five years, so the salt has worked its magic. Before we left Washington state, I had the oil bath hubs serviced (new seals and oil), so those were fine, but it's the hardware that may be failing or will fail in the near future. It's only time and money, right? Obviously, I have to go through the trailer bit by bit.

[J-Doc]

Makes me wonder how many boat trailers have loose nuts.

I said "boat trailers" having loose nuts.....not boats having loose nuts. The loose nuts show up during the summer months in ski boats and party barges. :-)