Synthetic Bunk Covers

[jayp]

Looking for pros/cons of replacing carpet with a synthetic material. Power loading with Gatorbak voids their warranty and they strongly recommend a float and winch on. I tried that per their video but it doesn't work with my trolling motor overhang(Ulterra) and the slope of the ramp that i use. That leaves Astro Slip by Astroplastics and Caliber. Both have lifetime warranties and allow power loading. Has anybody installed either one? Comments good or bad?

[indiana01]

[music man]

[DREWTICK]

I Love my Gatorbaks, although they dont recommend power loading , that dosnt mean using the trolling motor. its fine to drive on just dont force it up on dry bunks. you will not be disappointed in the Gatorbaks. I dont know anything about the other brands.

[dchance]

I have the Calibers and have no issues with them. Work fine. cannot really tell any difference between them and when I had carpet.

[Bubba201proxl]

I Love my Gatorbaks, although they dont recommend power loading , that dosnt mean using the trolling motor. its fine to drive on just dont force it up on dry bunks. you will not be disappointed in the Gatorbaks. I dont know anything about the other brands.

Say not to power load, doesn't it take the same amount of force to load the boat with the motor vs using the winch? Just curious

[DREWTICK]

If the trailer was far enough out of the water that it required winching more than one or two inches then yes probably so. its just best to float the boat on and winch to secure, power loading mainly refers to making contact with the trailer and having to rev the engine enough to drive the boat 1 or 2 feet up on to a dry bunk. power loading is also bad for the prop causing it to loose pitch.

[TroyBoy30]

i want to switch but im not giving up power loading

[gambler4]

If the trailer was far enough out of the water that it required winching more than one or two inches then yes probably so. its just best to float the boat on and winch to secure, power loading mainly refers to making contact with the trailer and having to rev the engine enough to drive the boat 1 or 2 feet up on to a dry bunk. power loading is also bad for the prop causing it to loose pitch.

Are you power loading in sand ?
if power loading can change prop pitch then any body that pulls skiers or tubes, or every time you do a hole shot damages the prop.
maybe I need to put a weight limit on my passengers so I don't ruin my prop.

[javjoe]

Are you power loading in sand ?
if power loading can change prop pitch then any body that pulls skiers or tubes, or every time you do a hole shot damages the prop.
maybe I need to put a weight limit on my passengers so I don't ruin my prop.

I found this out the hard way years ago, completely trashed a prop! No more power loading for me!

[TroyBoy30]

unless you hit something how did you trash a prop?

[einsteins]

i want to switch but im not giving up power loading

This^^^^^^^

[RngrBill]

I am planning to install mine this summer

[dchance]

I never gave up power loading....

[einsteins]

I am afraid of the boat sliding off on the ramp on a tourney morning...

[dchance]

I am afraid of the boat sliding off on the ramp on a tourney morning...

Carpet or not I always keep mine hooked up until it is in the water. Why not? it is cheap insurance to be sure it doesn't end up on the pavement, takes 2 seconds to unhook and hook up.

[mikesxpress]

Bill do a search by my screen name and Gatorbak as they will answer all the questions in regards to loading/unloading etc... I have had them on longer than anyone.

[mikesxpress]

I have the Calibers and have no issues with them. Work fine. cannot really tell any difference between them and when I had carpet.

Caliber is not for fiberglass boats.
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[dchance]

Caliber is not for fiberglass boats.
33467-MMS-1488469756000-attachment1-output.jpg

Sorry. I talked to them personally. There is no problem with glass boats.

[mikesxpress]

Don't be sorry. It says not for fiberglass boats on the box it comes in.