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July 29, 2026 4 min read
Trailer bunks are the unsung heroes of jet ski ownership — they support your machine every time it leaves the water, protect the hull during trailering, and make loading and unloading easier. Yet they're often neglected until they're visibly rotting or the carpet is peeling and dragging. This guide covers everything you need to know before buying new bunks.
Bunk boards are the longitudinal boards mounted to your trailer's bunk arms. Your jet ski or boat sits on them directly. The boards themselves are usually wood (treated or untreated) wrapped in carpet or covered with a rubber/polymer coating. Over time, carpet bunks soak up water, develop mold, lose their slipperiness, and rot the wood beneath. Replacement is a routine part of trailer ownership.
We carry bunk boards in standard lengths up to 90 inches (7.5 feet) in 2×4 and 2×6 dimensions. Here's how to pick the right size:
If you need longer than 90 inches — for pontoon trailers, bass boats, or larger watercraft — we direct customers to TuffBunk.com directly. They offer custom sizing and lengths that go well beyond what we can warehouse.
This is the most common question we get about bunks, and the answer affects not just your purchase but your ongoing maintenance.
The traditional approach — treated lumber wrapped in marine carpet. Pros: inexpensive, good grip on the hull. Cons: carpet soaks up water and stays wet, accelerating wood rot; carpet fibers eventually abrade gelcoat; requires periodic carpet replacement in addition to the wood itself. Fine for occasional use; a poor choice for skis stored on the trailer long-term in wet climates.
GatorBack boards replace the carpet wrap with a rubber-coated polymer surface over a kiln-dried wood core. Key advantages:
GatorBack is our most recommended replacement for customers who want a low-maintenance, long-lasting bunk solution.
TuffBunk boards are an all-polymer construction — no wood at all. They don't rot, warp, or absorb water regardless of conditions. Ideal for:
TuffBunk boards are heavier than wood-core alternatives and are priced accordingly. For larger sizes (beyond 90"), TuffBunk is often the only option and must be ordered directly from their website.
A common question. Our standard bunk boards use kiln-dried, rubberized-coated lumber. For customers wanting a specific wood species (pine, cedar, oak, pressure-treated), we recommend the GatorBack or TuffBunk options, which take the wood question off the table entirely. If you're sourcing raw wood locally to build custom-length bunks, pressure-treated pine rated for ground contact is the standard choice for marine trailer applications.
Yes — most bunk boards can be cut with standard carpentry tools. If you need a length shorter than our standard offerings, buy the next size up and cut to fit. If you need a longer board than we stock, contact TuffBunk directly for custom lengths.
One thing to measure carefully: some customers find their trailer bunk arms are set at a width that doesn't align with our standard bunk spacing for their hull. Wider-hull pontoons and tri-toon boats sometimes require custom arm spacing — measure the distance between your bunk arms (center to center) before ordering.
Several customers ask about using our PWC bunks on pontoon trailers. Standard single-PWC bunks can work for lighter pontoons if the trailer's bunk arm spacing is compatible, but heavier pontoons (and most tri-toons) need wider-spaced, longer bunks with 2×6 or larger material for adequate hull support. When in doubt, consult your trailer manufacturer's documentation or a local trailer shop for proper load distribution specs.
Shop bunk boards and trailer accessories at WatercraftSuperstore.com. Not sure what size you need? Measure your existing bunks and text us — we'll point you in the right direction.