[bigdog]

First.. I also want to give big kudos to “jst_4_kiks” for his valuable tips !

“jst_4_kiks” has help me many times in the past.. No ‘bailed me out’ of several boat mechanical issues in the past. He is a marine tech by trade, and a very good one. This is not an advertisement, just a fact !
I have used him as my marine mechanic, and would have no problem recommending him to anybody needing marine service on their boats.

Now, to provide an update for all, about the “trailer damage”

Just some background about trailer:
1995 Painted Steel ‘Bunk’ trailer
Bunks were found to be made from ‘pine’ wood:
4 Bunks (2 under keel, 2 outside)
Boat: 20’ Bowrider
Boat & Trailer looks similar to a ‘FourWinns’. In fact the Four-Winns trailer version looks almost identical.

Boat & trailer was used in salt water for first 5+ years. 1995-2000. Trailer was in and out of salt-water during this time. Salt-water itself, I suspect creates issues with metal fatigue. Prior owner to my knowledge, did no trailer maintenance. Since I’ve owned the trailer, I’ve changed bearing-buddies, sanded and painted metal surfaces, and updated lights. Bunk inspection wasn’t performed….. Lessons learned !

Responses to Forum members:

Jst_4_Kiks
Metal brackets/flanges were broken off entirely from vertical stanchion support. Totally rusted out ! Bunk board material is made of pine not PT. The bolts pulled through the bracket flanges into bunk-board, were totally ripped out. Upon inspection the other ‘upper’ bunk- board was also poor condition, and just a matter of time, before that also would break and fail.

Blue Thunder
You described these trailers perfectly:
“Early 90's vintage trailers. were manufacture cheaper by manufacture and boat dealers were having them made to fit their products, particularly Four Winns”. Mmmmmm, there’s that brand name again…. THey must have a history of these type issues?

Rusty
To answer your question…. “YES” this is the same trailer from other Forum Post “flat tire”. That issue was solved by replacing both ‘original’ tires with new radial tires. Tires run quiet and smoooooooooooth !
 
Chillininnh
You’re correct, the welder is “East Coast Welding”. Boat was delivered there for repairs.

End of story was as jst_4_kiks suggested
Metal bracket/flange supports on the trailer were bad, they were cut off from support stanchions, and news ones welded on. This was done for both outer (upper) bunks. Both bunk -boards were replaced with new PT wood. Was able to salvage the bunk carpeting for bunk-boards.

Situation could have been a lot worse……..
Trailer damage could have punctured the boat hull, when launching, or I could have been hauling boat down I-93 at 70MPH and had boat launch off the trailer ! That said, I consider myself lucky, that no one got hurt, and no major damage.

Although, this ended up as a costly repair, I did get to spend a quality day on the Lake, with the family, and take my grandson ‘tubing’. The smile on his face that day was worth all the trouble and expense.... Priceless !

Going to pickup boat/trailer this w/e.

Thanks everyone for your repsonses, greatlly apprecaited !

BD