Marshfly Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 So, my boat dry launched fine when I used the Liquid Rollers spray. The only problem was that I had to spray it on every couple of launches to get it to work. It would last months with my last lighter skiff. So I decided to give the canning wax a go since it sounded like it would last longer. Well, I put a ton of wax on the bunks, have let it sit in the sun, and it's like glue. The boat won't slide at all. Even picking the bow up and wiggling it side to side it still won't slide off. Is this normal? What are you guys using to slick up the bunks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 WD 40 Water Resistant Silicone spray works well - almost too well. Make sure you don't unhook the bow eye from the winch until the trailer and boat are in launch position, with dock line attached. It's slippery! Picture attached below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshfly Posted January 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Does it last better than the liquid rollers? Maybe I just need to start with fresh carpet. The carpet on this Ameratrail seems to be wearing much faster than my Ramlin did. The boat and trailer are both 2016s. I wouldn't think I'd be getting bare spots already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JnamJnam Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I am following this topic. Have the same problem with my 18HPX and Ameratrail. I have been using woody's wax however that only last maybe 2-3 times before I need to apply more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 On another skiff I used to have I used petroleum Jelly rubbed into the carpet. Worked well. My trailer now has Teflon pucks that work very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbum321 Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 liquid roller lasts me months. with many launches in between . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshfly Posted January 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 51 minutes ago, fishbum321 said: liquid roller lasts me months. with many launches in between . Your micro weighs about a third of what an HPX-V 18 weighs. Liquid Rollers lasted months for my last skiff too. It was an East Cape Caimen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I was told to be very carefull with anything like WD even thought it's silicone....remember, the fiberglass is going to be sitting on the bunks for weeks on the rug and could damage the gelcoat. I use liquid rollers as it's specially for this application..some people have use PAM spray oil......again, more natural. dc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 The carpet on my 2016 Ameratrail bunks is wearing thin in spots too. The silicone spray made them really slick and helped. However, I have also added Stoltz keel rollers (pic attached). Before, it seemed like a lot of weight was concentrated on just two bunks. It's supported better now, when bouncing down the road, and it slips off the trailer even more easily at the ramp. I'll try the liquid rollers - sounds like good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conocean Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Although I do not dry launch, the carpet on my bunks is original from 2011 and only half worn. I apply Liquid Rollers every few months and never an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshfly Posted January 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I love the idea of adding a couple of rollers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Fyi, attached are the MSDS sheets on both products. I'm surprised how toxic to fish, the Liquid Rollers product is, plus all the other warnings. Compared to that, the WD-40 is relatively safe for fish and people. MSDS_Liq_Rollers_66810.pdf MSDS_wd-40-specialist.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JnamJnam Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 13 minutes ago, Marshfly said: I love the idea of adding a couple of rollers. Me too. Only question would be how to mount them. So the weight is being evenly distributed between the bunks and the rollers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conocean Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Bingo. You don't want too much of the hull weight to be resting on that center fwd roller when you're bouncing down the highway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I agree - the weight must be distributed as evenly as possible. I used a floor jack to hold the rollers with only slight pressure against the hull without lifting the hull from resting on the bunks. I used lock washers with external teeth against the roller plate so they won't move. The keel has the thickest layers of overlapped glass mat. I like the extra support there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbum321 Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 56 minutes ago, geeviam said: attached are the MSDS sheets on both products. I'm surprised how toxic to fish, the Liquid Rollers product is, plus all the other warnings. Compared to that, the WD-40 is relatively safe for fish and people. Liquid roller is to be dry before you hit the water. MSDS is the as delivered product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 28 minutes ago, fishbum321 said: Liquid roller is to be dry before you hit the water. MSDS is the as delivered product. Glad you mentioned that. Sorry to sound like an alarmist "tree hugger". I'll admit it... I read too many labels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Marsh, I surprised you are having this problem.. After I used silicone on my bunks I had a hard time keeping the boat on the trailer when trying to leave.. What are you towing with/ how high is your hitch? I wouldn't think the 18 would be that different than the 17! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshfly Posted February 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 3 minutes ago, wayne said: Marsh, I surprised you are having this problem.. After I used silicone on my bunks I had a hard time keeping the boat on the trailer when trying to leave.. What are you towing with/ how high is your hitch? I wouldn't think the 18 would be that different than the 17! Towing with a Ram 3500, so the trailer is definitely angled stern down. I actually went to a hitch with less drop to give a more aggressive stern drop to the trailer to help. I'm as frustrated as you are surprised. I'm about ready to pull the carpet off, replace with new, and start over. That, or abandon the dry launch, which I really don't want to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason p Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Its also important to remember that slick bunks are only part of the equation. Is the trailer designed to be a dry launch trailer? Zero degree torsion axles, bunks built on an angle sloping back, and a roller BEHIND the rear cross member. I'm not sure of the latest model years but in the past not all Ameratrails under HPXs were, not sure what you actually have. Any skiff with slick bunks can be dry launched on a steep ramp at lower tides, but unless the trailer is specifically designed for it, it's tough sometimes. I wouldn't sweat it too much, while I'm an advocate of dry launching, many folks think it's silly. People have been dunking trailers for years and doing just fine. Not sure if this has been mentioned but as far as the liquid rollers make sure you spray it on dry bunks after you launch the boat, that way it has the chance to dry during the day while you're fishing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conocean Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Dry launching is nice but it's more work. I can dunk and launch in half the time. I had a dry launch set-up on my 17MA for 2 years then I went back to dunking. If you check your hubs regularly, like you should anyways, it's no big deal assuming you don't have fancy trailer rims that get ruined from salt water. The angle of your hitch is important when dry launching as wayne mentioned above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshfly Posted February 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 I'm kind of to that point. It was super fast and easy with the Caimen. The HPX is just a heavy boat to be cranking most of the way. Especially mine with the F150, two TM batteries, full livewell a lot of times, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason p Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 If you do have fancy-pants wheels (as I do... and no, powder coating won't save them from corroding) and want to continue to dry launch get a new winch. I bought an old school Dutton Lainson 1800lb. 2 speed winch and my wife can crank the boat up the trailer with ease. She doesn't, but she could if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Tyler Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Interesting info. This might not help you much but just my input. My 22 Pathy slides off the Owens almost too easily with Liquid Roller. You got to be careful. Mine lasts 2+ months and that's with me launching 5-6 times a week this time of year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshfly Posted February 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I wonder if maybe my bunks got tweaked and aren't sitting flat against the hull. I'll loosen them before I head out tomorrow and see if they will snug a little better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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