PVC Bunks for TI

Anyone else make PVC bunks for their TI?

I bought a 2015 TI that the original owner kept on carpeted wood bunks (4 separate bunks for the main hull and 2 bunks for the AMAs) that came from the dealership he bought the kayak from.  I noticed slight hull deformation and after doing some research found that PVC bunks were popular.

I made my own but they only lasted a season and the stress from loading is causing them to crack.  My first reaction is to buy some new PVC pipes and cut them a little shorter on the back end so they don’t bend as much.  I’ve also been trying to figure out how to mount my roller further back to prevent the PVC from bending too much.

I’m curious if others also use a similar set up and what they think about it.

Second choice would be to just pony up for the hobie cradles. My issue is cost and I have the hobie beach wheels with one cradle and it’s pretty flimsy and prone to breaking.

Sweet trailer setup! 

Just a thought - could you put a 2x4 under the PVC to stiffen it from the bottom?  Would still get the compliant part of the PVC, but supported in a way that it won't break.

Also, love that your trailer has Unistrut.  Such an under-rated project material!

Maybe you can use a bigger PVC pipe? Looks your PVC the diameter is too small.

And from my experience, 4 saddles can support your TI well, you can see my 4 saddles how to support my TI

No TI, but I’ve got a couple of AIs and 3 trailers. I’ve got Hobie bunks on one trailer, and PVC bunks on another (the third trailer is under construction). I prefer the PVC bunks as I believe that they provide better support, and the newer Hobie bunks are prone to cracking.  I’ve never had the PVC crack. I use 2” gray PVC (electric conduit), as it is more UV resistant. You can see a bit of it in the pictures here:

https://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=99976.msg1124817#msg1124817

From your pictures it looks like ABS pipe, unless you painted it. In any case, if you want to see more pictures, LMK and I’ll post some.

No TI, but I’ve got a couple of AIs and 3 trailers

I wonder when your finally going to get a TI.  Either that, or build the first ever AI Catamaran out of both your AI's 

... or build the first ever AI Catamaran out of both your AI's 

The thought has crossed my mind!

Minor correction...

I have 1 complete AI, 1 almost complete AI, and 1 Adventure (aka Revo 16). Only a mast is lacking from the almost complete AI, and I've got a $200 used windsurfing mast that I'm trying to use, as opposed to $800+ for a "real" AI mast from Hobie (I'll start a separate thread for that). My plan is to sell one of the AIs (wifey insists  ), and then build the Adventure into a full AI, with everything built by me (or scrounged from cheapo parts) other than the hull (well, maybe the mirage drive will have to be Hobie too). We'll see how that goes...

Looks like ABS pipe, which might be as strong or stronger than PVC? but less flexible. Also the drilled hole removed tensile strength along the top, hence the crack originating there. With Sch40 or Sch 80 PVC larger diameters can be weaker if the wall thickness is not thicker. The schedule 40 refers to a fixed wall thickness, regardless of pipe diameter while Class ratings refer to water pressure. So Class 200 can be thicker walled than sch40 in the larger diameters.

Thanks for the info.

Sounds like PVC is the way to go and I should try again, maybe this time with regular PVC.

I tried to extend the rear roller with a block of wood but will see what else I can come up with to extend it further to prevent the PVC from bending too much.  If I can get that rear roller another 1-2 feet back it will prevent a lot of tension when loading the kayak onto the trailer.  That is when I have the least amount of control and at times the kayak really put a lot of pressure on the PVC pipes.

I also used the gray PVC like NWM for my TI trailer.  It does bend, but won't crack like ABS.