Bigger launch wheels less back ache!

[kaman]

Just changed my ever expanding honwave 3.5ae launch wheels.
What a difference.
Much easier to launch and recover.
I dry launch from and recover onto trailer dry.
The bigger wheels allow more ground clearance and the Sib just rolls on and off.
Been getting a lot of use out of the Sib this year.
Pound for pound must be the best investments I've made.
Many a happy hour spent in that little tub.
Transom is very busy now but everything operates as it should with just enough clearance to avoid any fouling.
Gonna need a bigger boat........ but not for a while!

[Festinghouse]

i always think that the easier you can make things for yourself, then the more likely you are to make use of the boat, and therefore enjoy it.

[kaman]

Originally Posted by Festinghouse

i always think that the easier you can make things for yourself, then the more likely you are to make use of the boat, and therefore enjoy it.

Yep couldn't agree more hence the home made trailer and the addition oflaunch wheels.
Managed one season blowing the SIB up at launch location and then doing the disassembly and washing out routine.
Didn't enjoy it and put me off using it on occasion.
Now just roll on and off the trailer with minimum of fuss. Even tow it sub 20 miles distances with the engine on the transom.
Happy days.

[lockieboi]

Wheels look good. Are they pneumatic? Any info on where you got them from?

[kaman]

Yep they are pneumatic.
Had nothing but punctures with the smaller cheaper 6 quid a pop eBay pneumatic wheels so changed to foam filled puncture proof wheels last year.
No more punctures but they don't roll as well as the pneumatic wheels.
Wheels cost 27.95 for a pair and look like a quality purchase.
They work a treat!

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...735827&alt=web

[Mickhitchuk]

I was thinking of changing my wheels to the ballon wheeleez, for my honwave, any one tried them?

[kaman]

As a general rule air filled tyres and the bigger/wider the better for launching a sib on a beach.
The large pneumatic tyres help spread weight and stop it sinking.
On the downside they are likely to be heavier and bulkier.
This presents problems for stowing on the Sib and may mean removal and stowing g in the car etc.
The beauty of the ones I've fitted is they stay on the transom and swivel up and down as required.
They are big and wide enough to stop sinking in most sand and gravel as long as you keep moving.
I recently helped a guy to push a trolley with balloon tyres - it had an 18ft Shetland boat and 15hp + 75hp engine on board.
He pulled it a short distance from storage with a Zafira and unhooked on the beach.
The sand was soft but the rig rolled along with surprising ease!

[philpot]

For the first time I have bought a cranked set of launch wheels 350mm dia. On an Excel 330 air floor and a 15hp outboard the nose weight is only 4.5kilo so walking around pulling this package is a breeze. Unlike previous straight shaft launch wheels I have used over the years, this doesn't catch the engine on full turn.




Phil

[kerny]

That's a nice looking setup you have got there Phil

[philpot]

Cheers Steve, I am very pleased with it.

Phil

[kerny]

Originally Posted by philpot

Cheers Steve, I am very pleased with it.

Phil

Your garden looks nice too

[mick]

Originally Posted by kerny

Your garden looks nice too

Is that you in the back ground on pic 4 with your new toy

[kerny]

Originally Posted by mick

Is that you in the back ground on pic 4 with your new toy

Ha Ha took me a while but just spotted it Mick The Terrano

[philpot]

Originally Posted by kerny

Your garden looks nice too

Well as a retired old tart what is a man to do apart from boats, fishing, clay shooting and yes the garden, blood sweat and loads of plants.

Phil

[kaman]

Boating in the garden?
Must have plenty time to spare lol!
Hope you ain't clay shooting in the garden as well!

[philpot]

I do overlook fields but no shooting from the back door---------------spare time, you must be joking, since retiring I have never been so busy but every retired bloke says the same don't they, ooooohh got to go the the cats need feeding and the pots need---etc etc etc

[popeyethesailor]

Originally Posted by philpot

For the first time I have bought a cranked set of launch wheels 350mm dia. On an Excel 330 air floor and a 15hp outboard the nose weight is only 4.5kilo so walking around pulling this package is a breeze. Unlike previous straight shaft launch wheels I have used over the years, this doesn't catch the engine on full turn.









Phil

Hi Phil which wheels are these please where did you get them? Thanks

[paddlers]

Similar to my Honwave ones but I've just had a couple of 4" stainess tubes welded onto them to make them easier to detatch/attatch when it's in the water. They just sit above the transom when in the up position. Saves me using a paddle to push them down!

[popeyethesailor]

Looks good paddlers
Don't suppose you know where phillpot got his from?

[paddlers]

No idea, sorry. Mine came from Honwave and they're a solid piece of kit!





Came with a precision transfer so I didn't get the holes wrong. Just enough clearance for the tubes & engine.