Boat bunks

[Badbluebullet]

Hey folks, question; has anybody gone from carpeted bunks to the gatorbak covers. I'm thinking about changing to gatorbak and wanted to hear yall's opinion ? also....has anyone gone with any other material besides treated wood for the actual bunks ? TIA, Kent

[Ranger519VS]

I’ve had them on my z521 for 4 or 5 years ever since my original bunks rotted. They have been working great

[rocketmanjp]

I’ve been having gatorbaks under my Bullet for 8-1/2 years. I love them. There are some composite trailer bunks I think but I went with treated wood & painted them to match the gatorbaks.

[Mechanic Bob]

Cedar is another option. I assume you have a Fiberglass Boat? If you have an Aluminum Hull and can be exposed to Salt or Brackish water, most definitely get a plastic/poly/nylon/... bunk cover.

[davidsa]

I've used them on my last two boats for a duration of about 12 years in total. I love them! On the original ones, they suggested you not powerload as it would wear out the rubber faster. On the new ones, I don't think that is true any longer but I've gotten so used to a no fuss load that I still load without power loading. I simply idle in and kill the motor. Connect the winch to boat, get her above the roller then back in 6 more inches and then finish up winching with no effort.

It may sound complex but it is not. I once loaded on a ramp with guys fishing. One of them said that was the quietest simplest load I think I've ever seen.

again, you can powerload with the new ones, I just don't see a reason.

[Badbluebullet]

Great thinking....Thx for the heads up

[BoilermakerZ519]

Yes you can power load with the latest gen gatorbaks. They’ve been great for me. I don’t power load just as a precaution. When I had carpet, the bunks would remain very wet for a long time, especially during the humid months.

I sealcoated my bunks before covering them. That combined with the fast draining gatorbaks will hopefully allow the bunks to last a good long while.

[TopgunZ521C]

I have the gatorbak bunks under my z521c and absolutely love them my first set lasted 7 years now i have the XP models wouldnt own a boat without these

[BMCD]

Gatorbaks go on every new boat I have had. last 3 had em. I used non treated pine boards, but i did prep them by putting thompson's water sealer on them, 2 coats

[Dixon-Dan]

Can’t go wrong with Gatorbaks. Had them on last 2 boats. Carpet never drys out. Was afraid of hull Blisters.
I put them on treated lumber. No problems.

[printman71]

Gatorbacks are great, unless you have a BassCat. Their rear chines cut them up pretty good. My 2016 Puma had them, and after a couple of years, the rear portion was pretty much shredded.

[Wormdunker]

Love mine, look good but load similar to carpet without the sand getting in the carpet. Dry with in a few minutes of driving away from the landing. i have not found anything not to like.

[BMCD]

I do clean mine every so often, maybe twice a year. Just to get built up grime off bunks.

[davidsa]

one thing I do about every 6 months is take a rag with trailer in water, and wipe my bunks. they clean up nice and I'm certain they carry nothing.

[Wormdunker]

Just addtional info, I also replaced my carpeted fender boards with 1/4" HDPE. Carpet free trailer is the way to go, Cant understand why some brands dont already come this way.

[davidsa]

Just addtional info, I also replaced my carpeted fender boards with 1/4" HDPE. Carpet free trailer is the way to go, Cant understand why some brands dont already come this way.

agree completely!!!!

it was too late before I determined that Phoenix had this as an option but it was like a $700 option or something stupid like this. Should be standard or option at reasonable cost. $250 would be a reasonable cost.

[1974Skippy]

I love my Gatobaks

[AML Survivor]

I've had Gatorbaks since 2014. Still in great shape. I wouldn't have a boat trailer without them.

[Meleagris1]

I switched to Gatorbaks - I'm a fan all positives.

[Aj14]

When I recently saw about 150 boat trailers at the ramp I drove around to see how many had them.
I found one.