Staples for new boat bunks - Marine, but not for treated wood?

[talltigeguy]

I went to my local Lowe's to get some staples for replacing my bunks. I have some pressure treated wood I plan on using and have some carpet I got at West Marine for the job. My current bolts are in great shape and I planned on reusing them. So I think I have everything I need but staples.

I was pretty confused when I got to the Lowe's and they have regular staples, with a specific warning that they are not for marine use (which I knew all along). But the fascinating (frustrating) thing was that the other staples actually say 'for marine use', but then when reading the label, it says not to use with treated wood. So is there another kind of staple that I should use? Or should I just use this with my treated wood anyway? TThere are not any specific stainless steel staples at my Lowe's. I probably need to get them online somewhere. These 'Marine' staples are made of copper and nickel, and are not stainless steel, which is what I am looking for right?

A follow up question would be is what size staple to use. Of the marine rated staples my local store has, they only have 3/8". Seems like it would probably be long enough, but want to hear some opinions on that as well.

And here are the staples I am looking at:

[talltigeguy]

These are the stainless ones that my store carries, but they say specifically not to use them in marine applications...(see the bottom right hand corner)

[kko]

I just redid mine. I used the Monel 3/8. Worked great. If your hell bent on using PT wood your going have to decide which you think will corrode faster. The monel in PT wood or the stainless not rated for marine use. If your even thinking of going near saltwater your going to avoid the stainless. If it were me I would use the monel in regular lumber and not have to worry about it. Thats the way the come factory and seem to last a very long time.

[Jloflin420]

Have you thought of using zinc plated screws? I ran some half inch zinc screws in mine last year, just went out to check for any rust before responding, and I am clean of rust on the screws and they are holding in the PT wood perfect. I go to the lake 3-4 times a week so they definitely see their share of the water.

[Booms]

My Brother-in-law just replaced all of his bunks on his trailer. They rotted out. He replaced them with a composite/plastic product that does not need carpet. He has a aluminum Lund boat, but he told me that they are specifically designed for Fiberglass boats. Has anyone seen these before or used them with fiberglass?

Here is the link http://www.ultimatebunkboards.com/catalog2.html

If I need to replace any bunks on my trailer this looks like the way to go.

[Dave S]

We just put new carpet on my dad's trailer last weekend and I had the same issue at Lowe's. The guy there (he said he did his trailer the week before) seemed fairly knowledgable and said the Monel Staples should NOT be used with pressure treated wood because the chemicals used to pressure treat will make the monel staples corrode faster. So, if stapling into Pressure treated wood use Stainless Steel if it is not pressure treaed, use Monel Staples. I ended up getting stainless elsehwere because we wanted 1/2" and they did have staples that long there. In addition to the monel/pressure treated reaction the trailer is also dipped in saltwater every weekend which will intesnify any corrosion.

[talltigeguy]

The odd thing that no one has quite commented on yet, is the fact in the 2nd post I put up the box clearly says 'stainless steel' and 'not for marine use'.

Are they stainless that are OK for local fresh water, but not for salt...or are they not for watery applications at all? If someone tells me to get stainless, then I need more information on where to get stainless for marine applications.

I was always taught to use pressure treated wood...anyone use regular wood 2-3 years ago and have any problems with it? Ican't quite tell for sure, but I think the bunk that is splitting is regular wood. Maybe a call to Extreme is in order to ask their thinking here.

[Dave S]

My Brother-in-law just replaced all of his bunks on his trailer. They rotted out. He replaced them with a composite/plastic product that does not need carpet. He has a aluminum Lund boat, but he told me that they are specifically designed for Fiberglass boats. Has anyone seen these before or used them with fiberglass?

Here is the link http://www.ultimatebunkboards.com/catalog2.html

If I need to replace any bunks on my trailer this looks like the way to go.

I was telling my dad about these as we were redoing the carpet on his trailer. I think I may go this way when mine are due to be replaced. I 2nd-would really like to know if anyone here has used them.

For the second time this season, just yesterday I saw someone trying to load their boat and a bunk failed as they went up the trailer (rotted wood?) and then the boat slid up the metal "T" posts that the bunk was supposed mount to, and of course HUGE SCRATCH the whole way up that side of the hull. I would really hate for that to happen to my Tige

[Timmy!]

I replaced my bunks last year (4 seasons of use) and the wood the mfr used was not pressure treated. I too was going to buy pressure treated but my dealer said it wasn't worth the extra cost and to just use regular wood because the bolt holes will wear out long before the wood rots.

My bunks/carpet are already split on the ends again, the ramp at our lake is so shallow that it takes a few times to figure out how deep the trailer needs to be when loading.

[Joeprunc]

I used the stainless (not for marine) staples on my bunks two years ago. I just walked outside, I do not see any surface rust on any of the staples. I used Redwood boards, and pre-drilled holes for the lag bolts. I don't see any splits in the wood, but a few bolts near the rear of the bunks are backing out a thread or two.

I'm not sure why Monel corrodes with pressure treated wood. I would just say go with the SS.

[talltigeguy]

I used the stainless (not for marine) staples on my bunks two years ago. I just walked outside, I do not see any surface rust on any of the staples. I used Redwood boards, and pre-drilled holes for the lag bolts. I don't see any splits in the wood, but a few bolts near the rear of the bunks are backing out a thread or two.

I'm not sure why Monel corrodes with pressure treated wood. I would just say go with the SS.

Thanks, Joe. That is the kind of experience I am looking for.

My other bunks are actually in great shape, but just for the sake of thoroughness, I figured I would replace them all.

[Dan and Christy]

Larry what about using the Trex deck(or similar) synthetic for your runners?

[talltigeguy]

Larry what about using the Trex deck(or similar) synthetic for your runners?

I thought about that. My thinking is that the bunks need to dry out for the carpet contacting the boat to dry. That drying happens to some extent by the wood and carpet being able to breathe. I wonder if Trex does not breathe and the carpet contacting the boat would stay wet indefinitely and cause the gelcoat to blister.

My thinking might be way off, but I would like to see someone who did that several years ago with testimonials before I start to be the guinea pig. It sure would be easier to work with, and probably a lot more durable.

[Dave S]

The odd thing that no one has quite commented on yet, is the fact in the 2nd post I put up the box clearly says 'stainless steel' and 'not for marine use'.

Are they stainless that are OK for local fresh water, but not for salt...or are they not for watery applications at all? If someone tells me to get stainless, then I need more information on where to get stainless for marine applications.

I was always taught to use pressure treated wood...anyone use regular wood 2-3 years ago and have any problems with it? Ican't quite tell for sure, but I think the bunk that is splitting is regular wood. Maybe a call to Extreme is in order to ask their thinking here.

See my post right above...
"So, if stapling into Pressure treated wood use Stainless Steel "

[talltigeguy]

See my post right above...
"So, if stapling into Pressure treated wood use Stainless Steel "

I have ruled out the Monel staples on the treated wood...but the question is then do I use stainless staples that state 'not for marine use' since my area is quite dry, and never any salt.

So you used staples that were stainless, but state on the box 'not for marine use'?

Or did you find other staples that are stainless and state they are OK for marine use?