Launching wheels

[martini]

Has anyone got experience of transom mounted launching wheels that might be suitable for the FC470?

I want to use the type that are removable without tools, they won't be used very often so I'd rather store them in the boat.

These are the type of thing Im looking at:
http://www.allinflatables.com/shoppi...om/wheels.html

The only thing with these is I don't much like the idea of using aluminium, especially when mixed with stainless fasteners. And I realize big diameter wheels are better for getting over the rough stuff but 16"? Sounds huge to me!

There's a couple of Zodiac's own wheels that may work but trying to get info like dimensions etc for Zodiac stuff from Avon is like getting blood from a stone. I get the impression they don't like working for the competition.

Z61110
Z1290

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by martini

These are the type of thing Im looking at:
http://www.allinflatables.com/shoppi...om/wheels.html

I have a pair just like that in stainless, you can have them for nothing. Which is what they will be worth on your boat!

IMHO You will want something much more robust. I have fitted lots of that type to leisure SIBS and they are superb, but with the weight of your engine and transom I would steer clear.

[martini]

They are rated for 300lbs (150kg) so I would be on the limits although they must have a safety margin built in to that.

I'm liking the Zodiac stainless ones more but I'd like some specs for them before I throw away £240.

I could make my own but trying to make a track to fit the stem of the wheels could be a PITA

[prairie tuber]

I've got a set of Zodiac launching wheels that came with a Mark II Grand raid that I bought. There construction would be marginal for a Mark III sized boat with a suitable motor. The other HUGE design flaw with them is that the run a bolt (with a crank handle at the head) through the transom into the main shaft that the launching wheel is attached to and therefore cannot readily be 'swung away'. It is very important to be able to easily disengage launching wheels from the down position to the up position.

If you are trying to launch the boat at a location with a number of rocks, and get a wheel stuck between the rocks, with the zodiac system, you are screwered. This is because all of the weight at the stern of the boat locks that wheel into that position. With a swing away system you can easily disengage, and free up the wheel.

The nicest swing away design I've ever seen is the one i had linked to earlier:

http://www.beachmaster.co.nz/

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

The nicest swing away design I've ever seen is the one i had linked to earlier:

http://www.beachmaster.co.nz/

I haven't seen them before, but they look excellent. Probably a bit expensive for most applications, but definitely worth considering.

[martini]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I haven't seen them before, but they look excellent. Probably a bit expensive for most applications, but definitely worth considering.

Something very similar here.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by martini

Something very similar here.

250 squids for the biggest version.

[prairie tuber]

Originally Posted by martini

Something very similar here.

I had seen those as well. Based on the images on the website, I can see 2 main differences in the functional aspects of the designs. One is that with the beachmaster design, the wheels, when in the down postion, would be more directly under the transom. With the swedish design the wheels sit further aft of the transom when in the down position, which would make it more difficult to lift the bow to pull the boat.

The other difference is that with the Swedish design, the wheels won't extend as far below the transom. This may have a small benefit if launching on a smooth sandy beach, but would be a huge disadvantage if trying to pull the boat over rougher terrain.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

I can see 2 main differences

They are also cheaper, at about 200 quid. Though they do not have a UK distributor, but shipping from NZ is fast and well priced.

Rated to 240kg they would be up to the job. But they are made from that old combination of ali and steel.

[martini]

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

The other difference is that with the Swedish design, the wheels won't extend as far below the transom. This may have a small benefit if launching on a smooth sandy beach, but would be a huge disadvantage if trying to pull the boat over rougher terrain.

I'm not sure either would have enough clearance if you've got speed tubes sticking down underneath.

I really want removable wheels anyway, just rang Ron Hale but turns out they have wednesday afternoons off As well as stocking the Zodiac wheels, they have a similar looking set rated for 230kg and half the price

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