'Carrying' Zodiac FR at bow

IanH · 27 May 2013, 07:54

Even though my Zodiac 3.6m Fastroller has transom wheels fitted, pulling/pushing it the >~100m requires quite an effort that at my age, takes it out of me, especially after pulling it up the ramp.

The front of the FR is fitted with a bow handle like this... Ron Hale Marine Ltd - Zodiac Cadet Bow Handle It also has two D rings fitted further beneath for towing.

Is this carry handle going to be man enough carrying the weight of the boat? The manual does say, not for towing - use D rings instead.

What do other people do when moving their boats over more than a few tens of yards? Does anyone use a harness (attached to the D rings) or have made a dolly wheel to rest the keel on and take the weight of the boat?

I realise that this is launch trolley territory, but this is not an option - boat is mm perfect getting it past bollards and trailers/trollys are against lease of where we stay and enforced.

willk · 27 May 2013, 08:47

Mine is a lot smaller than yours at 2.7m, but I find that removing all equipment from the SIB except the engine makes a huge difference in the man-hauling department. Even a fuel tank in the bow makes the job a lot harder. Have you tried this?

I suspect that the towing referred to is "behind another craft" towing.

camelgas · 27 May 2013, 09:25

make a small frame (wood would do) to go under the bow/keel area , cover top of frame with carpet and fix wheels of choice, weight now relieved from handle, job done.

Landlockedpirate · 27 May 2013, 09:44

The only time I have seen these handles get damaged is when they have been overstressed by a winch or used to drag it behind a car !

I know you cant have trailers, but surely you could use a folding launching trolley just to move it, you can then fold it up and store it in the boat out of the way ?

thestig1973 · 27 May 2013, 11:24

I drag my 3.8 fast roller with the bow handle, it's heavy, especially dragging up a slipway or on wet sand. I doubt I could pull the handle off if I tried. It is "much" lighter at the bow when the outboard is NOT tilted

Locozodiac · 27 May 2013, 16:55

If fabric which holds handle ring in place is quite thin, it could be ruptured if used for other purposes than lifting front bow. For towing use exclusively side d'rings. If in neede to carry the boat could use side handles, or one man using front handle, other lifting both end cones or middle lower transom. And of course, completely dry & empty.

Happpy Boating

IanH · 27 May 2013, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by camelgas

make a small frame (wood would do) to go under the bow/keel area , cover top of frame with carpet and fix wheels of choice, weight now relieved from handle, job done.

Thats similar to what I am thinking of for the dolly wheel. I was thinking of using a cut down skateboard but not sure if its going to work as its going to need to be steerable plus skateboard wheels are quite small for going over cobbled kerbs.

Another thought is a kayak trolley.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thestig1973

It is "much" lighter at the bow when the outboard is NOT tilted

Thats useful to know. I do need to tip the outboard to keep the skeg off the ground but will see about tilting the outboard less.

camelgas · 27 May 2013, 20:30

A three foot long bit of 4"x2" with blocks screwed on top to hull profile, carpet to protect. 4" or 6" wheels/casters with blow up tyres fixed to the underside. a fixed ratchet strap could be used to hold it in place if needed.

this would be stable, support the hull and take the load. larger blow up tyres travel better over uneven ground. this would comply with the criteria given and be easy to store.

send the cheque for design royalties to PO BOX 123...........

Tea boy · 28 May 2013, 08:07

This would make life easier Zodiac Marine - Accessories - Bow launching wheels
I drag my BOMBARD AEROTECH 38O with a YAMAHA 15 up the hill to my house which is 200 odd metres by using the same bow handle

IanH · 28 May 2013, 09:10

Thanks for that. They look perfect althoughI think the price would hurt.

Does you boat have a similar plastic bow handle as the fastroller?

tom72 · 28 May 2013, 10:01

I have made up some straps to pull my bombard 380 up the beach it has a 25 on the back and I am in my 60s I have found that if I take the tank out and the bow bag I have no trouble in towing it up the beach sometimes up to 200 yards (stives the tide go's out a long way) I fit them to the front d ring and have not had any problems at all in the past 10 years I have found that one of the most important points is to have good blow up wheels and not the solid ones. the straps are made up from some webbing from b&q with towelling around them and quick fit clips I fit them to the front d ring and then cross them over my shoulders the trick is two find the right size so that the boat is balanced when you have got the straps on some pics of the straps

Sharkbyte · 28 May 2013, 11:21

I have a surplus set of Zodiac bow launching wheels / trolley that I may sell for a reasonable price. If you're interested, feel free to PM me an offer.

IanH · 28 May 2013, 18:31

PM sent

Peter_C · 29 May 2013, 05:15

Bow wheels are the best solution. I can move my boat around by myself, but to travel any distance with it requires multiple people. Just holding the bow up will wear a person out quickly. All of my gear (Anchor/rode, fuel tank, electronics tower) is removable, which allows me to pull 80lbs out.

Thanks for the reminder to get back to my boat tractor project...when I have the time.

IanH · 06 August 2013, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Mine is a lot smaller than yours at 2.7m, but I find that removing all equipment from the SIB except the engine makes a huge difference in the man-hauling department. Even a fuel tank in the bow makes the job a lot harder. Have you tried this?

Paid particular to balance today and as you say, it makes a huge difference, to the point where, with engine on rear and tank loose at back and nothing forward, moving the boat the (approx) 100 yards was no problem.

Retrieving back across the mud and back up the slip was a slippery affair, but the weight on the bow was not an issue and apart from the slippery slope, was easy with two of us and if it was not slippery and quite so long (probably 30 yards) at end of long day, would be a one man job.

Fenlander · 06 August 2013, 20:36

The 360FR is very light, I remember well the ease with which I could pull ours up a slip on the transom wheels single handed with 20l fuel tank near the transom and minimal kit towards the bow.

My current Honwave 3.5m weighs 60lbs more, this extra weight being the alloy floor. That extra 60lbs is enough to make me take out the fuel tank to offset.

This year on holiday we were operating from a cottage a few minutes walk from the slip along the road. I made up a bridle through the D-rings like tom72 and brought a short loop of rope through the front handle then through that we had an alloy pole about 5ft long so two folks could share the load with this extended walk. Worked really well.