Bent launching wheels.

[Sailrepair]

I have a air deck sib and have just bent one of the launching wheel supports, it flexed off to one side distorting the tube where it fits into the bracket on the transome.

The boat weighs 52kg with a 36kg engine and a tank of fuel so the total weight will be coming on for 100kg.

Am I at the limit of what these sort of wheels can support? or are some better than others? The tubeing on mine is 25mm, I read that the honda ones are 30mm.

Or what about just using a launch trolley instead like this - Folding Launching Trolley Dinghy inflatable Boat Launch | eBay

The slipway in front of my house is a old stone one so not the smoothest of things.

I don't really want to go drilling the transome with more holes.

thank you for your views.

[Fenlander]

In my experience of several sets the genuine Zodiac transom wheels are stronger than any others by a huge margin. This is the strength of the legs, the axles and fittings to the transom. Currently I have Zodiac wheels on my Honwave 3.5m.

Zodiac wheels do not hinge up which suits me as I never take them to sea and they will not suit an airdeck with the "tabs" that extend beyond the transom.

[Sailrepair]

I have a air deck with the tabs so my choice is limited.

[Fenlander]

OK understood. I've always thought the design of these wheels that bend round the tabs look like they would snap or bend if you hit a pothole on a slip.

[achille2124]

Try those:
Boat Wheels, Inflatable Boat, Inflatable Boat Wheels, Beach Wheels, launching Wheels, Boat Launching Wheels, Dinghy Wheels, Transom Wheels, Removable - BEACHMASTER Boat Wheels, Dinghy Wheels

I sold a lot and the customers are very happy.

[Sailrepair]

Thanks, they look good but I have a airdeck with those trim tab bits sticking out.

[zurk]

i made solid launching wheels struts with blocks of machined aluminium for $60 at my local machine shop. if you have the ebay 16 inch wheels i can get you some solid blocks which wont bend upto 600kg weights if you like. they are easy to machine at any local machine shop.

[zurk]

left is the new solid blocks and right was the old ones which are showing signs of bending.

[Sailrepair]

Thanks for the offer zurk but mine have to be like this -

The manufacturer is going to send me some replacements ones and before I use them I will reinforce them internaly where they go into the brackets on the transome as that is where they failed.

[manonthemoon]

I got these from Barnet Marine for my sib. They work well for me as I'm not carrying much weight. In researching before purchase there are similar looking ones which are substantially cheaper but these were about £150 or so.

MOTM