www.iFourWinns.com

After 10 years, it's probably fair these needed replacing. Even with only 120 hrs on the boat. Time is your enemy ESPECIALLY with a poor design for the outer bunks. The back of the hull step doesn't even rest above the support structure.






For anyone planning this little adventure, please note: it's not a weekend job. I purchased three 10' treated boards from HD and let them dry out for 3 weeks. Then cut, drilled, and test fitted the hardware only to find the wood still wet inside. Waited another week and a half, then two coats of Thompsons water seal.







Purchased the stainless hardware, carpet, and stainless staples on Amazon. Picked up the indoor/outdoor carpet glue and trowel from HD when I bought the lumber. Mostly so I could easily return the second tub if unused. And it wasn't

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

With a little help from one of my wife's tools... All done!










At this point, I hadn't fixed the real problem though. SO like all good rednecks, go to the scrap sheet metal we all keep laying around for southern engineering projects.




A little measuring, cutting, softening of edges, and drilling....




Test fit.



Then paint.




The theory is, after using better products than the factory probably did and adding the support strap under the bunks, we should have at least 15 years of use before doing this again..

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Great job! Great craftsmanship.

I never tried carpet glue on this project. That's a good idea. Probably needs a lot less staples that way.

I would strongly suggest Monel Staples instead of Stainless though. Stainless will rust. The Monel lasts 20+ years, even in salt.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Arrow-Fastener-1-2-Monel-T50-Rustproof-Staples/19294603

Ray

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Nice job! Good idea on the metal supports.
Waiting to see the final install pics...

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX

Very nice!

I replaced mine several years ago, mostly to make them longer. Extended them all 2" further back and extended the short bunks forward to the next cross member. Things an owner shouldn't need to do.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

So we finally made a trip to the lake to get these installed. What a whipping. The stock bolt t-nuts just spun in all their rusted, rotten glory. Luckily the old boards were soft enough for me to just Hulk out and tear them into sections. I could then lock on to the bolts with vice grips to remove the lock nuts and install the new rails. Took about 30 minutes total.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Sweet!

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I'm gonna bring this back to ask for a consensus on the bunk carpets.

Is it better to completely wrap the bunk boards (top & Bottom) or to leave the bottom of the boards exposed? Why?

I'm trying to figure out what width of bunk carpet I need to get and it depends on whether I wrap the boards 100% or leave the bottom wood exposed.
We store our boat outside, but under a car-port of sorts. It's a covered roof, but no sides. I could see where if the bunks were completely covered, it might hold water on the wood and take longer to dry out. But if left open on the bottom, the wood would be more exposed to the elements some. Not sure which case is worse.

What say ye?

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX

I think that as long as you can get the carpet down the sides, you'd be fine.

I opted for slides instead of carpet when I redid my bunks.

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

I've looked into the slides, but it's about 50/50 on pros & cons for use with fiberglass hulls. Plus I've already bought all I need for carpet replacement, but the carpet.

I also added a "poll" on the FB group and so far the consensus seems to be only cover down the sides and not the bottom.

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX

For me, the slides have been beneficial for getting the boat on and off the trailer. The Funship is kind of a beast, and I have to power it on to the trailer - the slides make it easier.
So far, I haven't seen any negatives and it's been several years that I've had them on (2015). Once I can get my boat in the water this season (ramps are all closed right now) I'll check it all out again.

Erik

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe