How do I fix this? 2 of the screws came out, so the board was only holding by 1 screw. I had to use rope to tie the bunker board to the trailer.

 

In the past, I tightened these loose screws, but the boards were basically stripped out, so they didn't hold.  To make it harder, I assume however I fix it, I will need to go to a ramp, put the boat in, anchor it on the shore, and fix it at the ramp. If using adhesives, then I need to wait for it to dry.

 

Please help.

A quick fix is to leave boat in water tied up at boat ramp, and up in parking lot use battery hand drill with socket and remove all lags and move bunk forward or backwards a half inch or so and screw it back down. Check and see if your bracket has holes for 3 lags and increase it by 1.

 

You can also increase lag size in thread diameter. I just ordered for standard 2x4 boat bunk lags made of stainless steel 3/8" x 1.5"

 

***Be careful to use correct length of screw or lag so as to not go all the way through and damage hull. Had to get a disclaimer in there somewhere.

 

Down the road you might be able to switch out that type of bracket to something like this image shows which holds up better as I see it. Keeps the boat bunk vertical and solidly in place.

 

I’ve jacked up one side of the boat in the garage to swap out one bunk then repeated the process on the other side.  This has worked well for me.  Might be hard with some V bottom boats.

Not knowing your boat it is hard to recommend a good way for you.  Like T B said I have put a board under one side of my wife’s deck boat, jacked that side up, removed the skid and replaced it with a new one that I had prepped.  
 

Another way is measure, buy replacements, cover them how you choose, launch and tie the boat out of the way, go to the lot and replace.  I would recommend replacing all of them at the same time.

 

The easiest and most expensive way is to hire it done.

 

I have done all three ways.

 

 

54 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I’ve jacked up one side of the boat in the garage to swap out one bunk then repeated the process on the other side.  This has worked well for me.  Might be hard with some V bottom boats.

 

@Tennessee Boy,

 

Can you elaborate how you do that? I want/need to learn this. Jacking the boat.

1 hour ago, CoryRobertLowe said:

 

@Tennessee Boy

Can you elaborate how you do that? I want/need to learn this. Jacking the boat.

I put one of the new bunks under the boat on one side to support/protect the boat then I put a car jack under that bunk to jack up that side of the boat enough that I can get the bunk on that side off.   I install a new bunk on that side then lower the boat.  Then I take the bunk that I just removed and jack up the other side and install the other new bunk. Be sure to remove your tie downs before you start. 😊
 

I hope that makes sense.

Might be more complicated if you have multiple bunks per side.

I would launch it and work in the parking lot. Move them some for a new bite or just get a new 2x4 and replace 

Any of these are good ideas. With my small boat the first time I chocked the trailer wheels and use two jacks and a 2x6 to lift the back of the boat off the rear bunks and replaced them. Doing it in the ramp parking lot is 1000% easier and only takes about 5 minutes if you have everything ready to go. YMMV 

I'm sure doing it in the parking lot is easier for you guys.  For me personally, I have never started and finished a project,  any project, without having to make an unexpected trip to the hardware store. 😆 

 

That's why I don't like the thought of starting work on my trailer when my boat is in the water.  

5 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I'm sure doing it in the parking lot is easier for you guys.  For me personally, I have never started and finished a project,  any project, without having to make an unexpected trip to the hardware store. 😆 

 

That's why I don't like the thought of starting work on my trailer when my boat is in the water.  

That sounds like my father.  Every weekend he’d start some project, and was always running to the hardware store.  It didn’t matter if it was repacking bearings on the boat trailer, changing oil in the cars, repairing the washing machine or replacing light bulbs, he always needed something from the hardware store.  Several years after his death, my brothers and I discovered that it was the only ‘hardware store’ for miles that sold shots and had beer on tap.

I 100% hear that and can empathize. But, this is a pretty simple thing requiring the bunks, the hardware and a drill/driver/ratchet set. Prep is key

5 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I would launch it and work in the parking lot.

 

I haven't had to replace a bunk yet, but I've replaced the bunk carpet twice.  This is what I did.  Parked the boat out of the way in the water, and did the work in the parking lot.  Having the right tools makes a big difference.

10 hours ago, VolFan said:

I 100% hear that and can empathize. But, this is a pretty simple thing requiring the bunks, the hardware and a drill/driver/ratchet set. Prep is key

I would need to make a trip to the hardware store and at least two trips home to get the right tools.

10 hours ago, CoryRobertLowe said:

How do I fix this? 2 of the screws came out, so the board was only holding by 1 screw. I had to use rope to tie the bunker board to the trailer.

 

In the past, I tightened these loose screws, but the boards were basically stripped out, so they didn't hold.  To make it harder, I assume however I fix it, I will need to go to a ramp, put the boat in, anchor it on the shore, and fix it at the ramp. If using adhesives, then I need to wait for it to dry.

 

Please help.

If screws are just 'falling out' of the wooden bunks,

sounds like there may be some rotted wood up in there.

Partial deterioration at the very least.

It's close to impossible to effectively inspect your trailer bunks with the boat on the trailer.

Splash your rig somewhere and access the trailers condition.

If you simply just 'move' the bunk, to find some 'good wood',

and most of the rest of them are ready for replacement,

there could be some sadness experienced a little further down the line.

I replaced my bunks at the lake.

Just have to plan in advance by having what you need.

A second set of hands/eyes is helpful as well.

Good Luck

A-Jay

https://youtu.be/h3kMaYvtQOE?feature=shared

 

Carriage bolts and nuts can't pull out.  You can sink the bolts low enough in the carpet not to touch the bottom of the boat.  Or put the carpet on after you sink the bolts if the boat's in the water.

On 7/11/2025 at 11:36 AM, CoryRobertLowe said:

How do I fix this? 2 of the screws came out, so the board was only holding by 1 screw. I had to use rope to tie the bunker board to the trailer.

 

In the past, I tightened these loose screws, but the boards were basically stripped out, so they didn't hold.  To make it harder, I assume however I fix it, I will need to go to a ramp, put the boat in, anchor it on the shore, and fix it at the ramp. If using adhesives, then I need to wait for it to dry.

 

Please help.

 

 

If your screws or lag bolts are backing out, the wood probably has started to rot.  You could try to put bolts through, but the rot is going to continue, and will eventually rot around your new bolts/washers.  You might consider getting in-front of the problem and replacing your bunks.  

 

Not sure about adhesives.  What ever glue you use on your carpet is going to hold water, and rot you bunks faster.

 

Changing out the bunks is easier at the ramp.  Wood or composite, they basically go on the same.  I recently changed my bunks.  I used stainless bolts and washers, with nylon-lock nuts.  After I launch I do a quick inspection of my trailer, and so far, no movement on the lock nuts.  

 

There are tons of videos on changing bunks.  If you do it and have some car ramps, pull your empty trailer on them.  They make the trailer a little bit higher to work on, which helps the back some.