Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

[rbh]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Yes if you access to auger/drill stem, weld it up, put in the horizontal pieces every 3-4 foot, if you have decent lake frontage you could pull the section into the water in spring with the boat, and out of the lake in fall with your truck. A small warn winch will haul your boat up no problem.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Well the only problem with leaving those rail systems in the water is you have to deal with rust. The bearings in the rail-wheels won't last long when covered in moss/lake sludge after being in the water for several months. It's easy enough just to pull the rail system up each time you are leaving for any length of time. I wouldn't hesitate to leave it in the water over the weekend/week if I was going to be at the lakehouse, but I would definitely pull it out when I left for home. No sense covering the boat with lake grime either.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Well the only problem with leaving those rail systems in the water is you have to deal with rust. The bearings in the rail-wheels won't last long when covered in moss/lake sludge after being in the water for several months. It's easy enough just to pull the rail system up each time you are leaving for any length of time. I wouldn't hesitate to leave it in the water over the weekend/week if I was going to be at the lakehouse, but I would definitely pull it out when I left for home. No sense covering the boat with lake grime either.

I don't see why the wheels of the boat cradle would be in the water long enough.
The only time they would be wet is when the boat is in use on the lake.
The steel rails will last quite a few years as long as they are thicker then sheet metal.

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

So you think a garage door open is strong enough? I have to transfer some pics so I can show you what I have to work with. We're going up this weekend so I'm going to take a serious look at the shoreline and embankment.

The cabin itself it isolated. We have a neighbour to the south who's a 100' feet away. The neighbour to the north is about a mile. Undeveloped land, in fact we've had to carve out the trees to get to the shore originally. (5 years ago)

As mentioned the in water shore is a gradual grade. 25' feet in as about 5' feet deep. But the embankment rises about 16' in 12 feet. I'm not sure if I have room to put it on the first tier or if I'd have to go to the upper tier.

 

[wa_ssv197]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Since your cabin is isolated, I am guessing that you use a generator for power? This is why our neighbor uses the hand winch. didn't want to start the generator everytime he took a toy out of the water.

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Since your cabin is isolated, I am guessing that you use a generator for power? This is why our neighbor uses the hand winch. didn't want to start the generator everytime he took a toy out of the water.

Isolated yes, but we have power.

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Just an update: been sending some mails and I've got two quotes from rail manufacturers, just for the motor, pulley system and wireless remote.....$3300.

If I offer them $500 think they'll take it?

Bearclaw offers a remote for $88 for this winch for $169. http://www.upnorthsports.com/Product/product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=4340

hmmm......

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Just an update: been sending some mails and I've got two quotes from rail manufacturers, just for the motor, pulley system and wireless remote.....$3300.


hmmm......

Zoiks!
Looks like a winch, remote, some tube and a welder are the way to go.
I was thinking about this, and having used a similar rail system quite a bit was wondering if it would be a good idea to put some tabs on that capture the tube so the wheels/ rims/ whatever cannot become derailed. Just a thought.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

I don't think 4K lbs of boat goes anywhere at 1mph on a winch which would cause it to derail. The only think I could imagine putting stops on is the ends of the pipes underwater to avoid going off the end of the tracks. Maybe some sort of safety latch at the top to allow the wheels to rest against so all of the weight isn't being held up by the winch when dry-docked.

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Zoiks!
Looks like a winch, remote, some tube and a welder are the way to go.
I was thinking about this, and having used a similar rail system quite a bit was wondering if it would be a good idea to put some tabs on that capture the tube so the wheels/ rims/ whatever cannot become derailed. Just a thought.

That's a good thought. Problem is I don't have any experience with these so I'm sure if I looked at one or two it's easy peasy.

Going up to the cabin this weekend, one guy on our bay uses one so I'll check it out then.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Problem is I don't have any experience with these so I'm sure if I looked at one or two it's easy peasy.

Ayuh,... There Must be an industrial park around Winnipeg, Go there,+ look around,..
Somebody's got a chain driven rolling chainlink fence gate...
When you find it, look it over, knowing it'll be running 90? from the way you're lookin' at it....
Imagine the hi-rail,+ low rail being the port,+ starboard rails...
The 1s I've seen, run on cast iron wheels, with captive devises, running on 2 pieces of Pipe,...
With an electric winch pulling a loop of bicycle chain....

Do you Weld,..??
If not, do you have a Bud with a welder,..??

On a Budget, Building it is the Only way to go...
The "Trick" is finding the steel for little or Nothin'......

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Ayuh,... There Must be an industrial park around Winnipeg, Go there,+ look around,..
Somebody's got a chain driven rolling chainlink fence gate...
When you find it, look it over, knowing it'll be running 90? from the way you're lookin' at it....
Imagine the hi-rail,+ low rail being the port,+ starboard rails...
The 1s I've seen, run on cast iron wheels, with captive devises, running on 2 pieces of Pipe,...
With an electric winch pulling a loop of bicycle chain....

Do you Weld,..??
If not, do you have a Bud with a welder,..??

On a Budget, Building it is the Only way to go...
The "Trick" is finding the steel for little or Nothin'......

Thanks Bondo....as mentioned my neighbour is a quality control guy for a tubing company. They make all kinds of sizes of tubing. Sometimes I 'visit' him at work....on saturday.... It's all good, nothing to management doesn't disapprove of.

Yes, I weld....I suck at it. It's usually good for a chuckle that I usually drown out with the angle grinder smoothing my welds.

We have a farm in the family with proper welders and guys who like winter projects. If not that, some high school shop classes with students who need to practice.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

We have a farm in the family with

Awwe 'ell,... You're covered,...
I never met a Farmer who couldn't do what needed doin', when it need doin'...

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

The price quote on this unit you see here is $2750.

I've come to the conclusion that a winch is tooo slow or you pay a lot of money for a faster one with the power to pull.

I went to Princess Auto (Canadian version of Harbour Freight) and most of the parts and pieces you see in pic...steel rod, pulleys, ballbearing hub....under $100 so far. They had some 1HP+ 1750rpm used electric motors for $50-80.

Question: Ideas on where I can find a 90 Degree right angle gear reducer? What are some other applications for this type of machinery? (sources?)

Also, they gave me a quote of $250 for wireless remote. As Bondo suggests I'm going to check out some remote gate applications, but anyone have ideas on this? Garage door opener is ok, but I'd like more control with 'forward/reverse and stop'.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

I still think a good 'ol fashioned Warn winch would suit the project just fine. They can be had for $300-500 bucks.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Paul
Check out E-bay for gearboxes (or gearmotors). Search under 'right angle' you will find a bunch at very reasonable prices.
Don't initially worry about the input hp all that much...start with checking the reduction ratio which will define your output torque and resulting 'pull' force on the boat carriage. The higher the ratio the more pull you are going to get...but if it will come at a cost of inversely reduced speed from the motors 1250, 1750 or 3600 speed.
You can get a face mount or 'C' type mounting if you already have a face mount motor OR get a standard shaft input. This means you are going to have to fabricate a reasonable mount for your motor relative to the gearbox and purchase a coupling that will mate the motor's output shaft to the gearboxes input shaft. Personally, I would shoot for a fully assembly gearmotor...and again, there are a few listed on ebay.
Watch for power requirements....you want 120v/60hz....not 220 and definitely not 208V/3?.
Keep us posted.
BP
ps/note: one good thing about the worm gear style (vs. bevel gear) is that they are self-locking. In other words if you lose power, or cut power to the motor... the output shaft of the gearbox will not rotate and thus the boat carriage won't move, roll or slide away.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Brows thru the stuff these guys have: https://www.surpluscenter.com/home.asp
They have all the stuff you might need to McGuyver anything you want.
I have bought hundreds of $$ worth of stuff, all good and as advertised, etc.

As far as a remote control for forward and reverse, like Bond-O said, pick up a garage door opener. Might not use the motor and gears but you can use the controls for a different motor set up.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

The price quote on this unit you see here is $2750.

Whats up with the double wire rope shafts? why not just one?
I've come to the conclusion that a winch is tooo slow or you pay a lot of money for a faster one with the power to pull.

I went to Princess Auto (Canadian version of Harbour Freight) and most of the parts and pieces you see in pic...steel rod, pulleys, ballbearing hub....under $100 so far. They had some 1HP+ 1750rpm used electric motors for $50-80.

Question: Ideas on where I can find a 90 Degree right angle gear reducer? What are some other applications for this type of machinery? (sources?) Find an industrial surplus store or junkyard even. Those right angle gearboxes are used on conveyor systems, industrial garage doors, etc. but watch out for 3 phase motors

Also, they gave me a quote of $250 for wireless remote. As Bondo suggests I'm going to check out some remote gate applications, but anyone have ideas on this? Garage door opener is ok, but I'd like more control with 'forward/reverse and stop'.

The range of a Warn wireless winch control might not be far enough.

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Brows thru the stuff these guys have: https://www.surpluscenter.com/home.asp
They have all the stuff you might need to McGuyver anything you want.
I have bought hundreds of $$ worth of stuff, all good and as advertised, etc.

As far as a remote control for forward and reverse, like Bond-O said, pick up a garage door opener. Might not use the motor and gears but you can use the controls for a different motor set up.

Thanks for the link Jeeperman....yes "McGuyver it" or "farmer rig it", are the correct terms.

The reason for the two cables is it is a 'push/pull' system not gravity. It's a loop where you need a pulley on the water end of the track.

The reason for the double spool is to 'hold' the cable.

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Boat Track (rail) System ideas?

Paul
Check out E-bay for gearboxes (or gearmotors). Search under 'right angle' you will find a bunch at very reasonable prices.
Don't initially worry about the input hp all that much...start with checking the reduction ratio which will define your output torque and resulting 'pull' force on the boat carriage. The higher the ratio the more pull you are going to get...but if it will come at a cost of inversely reduced speed from the motors 1250, 1750 or 3600 speed.
You can get a face mount or 'C' type mounting if you already have a face mount motor OR get a standard shaft input. This means you are going to have to fabricate a reasonable mount for your motor relative to the gearbox and purchase a coupling that will mate the motor's output shaft to the gearboxes input shaft. Personally, I would shoot for a fully assembly gearmotor...and again, there are a few listed on ebay.
Watch for power requirements....you want 120v/60hz....not 220 and definitely not 208V/3?.
Keep us posted.
BP
ps/note: one good thing about the worm gear style (vs. bevel gear) is that they are self-locking. In other words if you lose power, or cut power to the motor... the output shaft of the gearbox will not rotate and thus the boat carriage won't move, roll or slide away.

Thanks BigPrairie,

I've figured out that a 1.5hp motor 1750rpm with a 80:1 gearbox is sufficient up to 15% with a 3500lb load. 15 feet per minute.

I've found the individual electric motor, pulley, bearings, remote and such and buy the time you get it.....it's a toss up between that and a complete product winch like superwinch or warn. (I won't need more than a 50 foot remote distance so that's all fine)

It will come down to finding a deal, but at this point looks like either will work....the big draw back to the super and warn is the slow feed....2 feet per minute on a full load and empty spool. If I do a push/pull system I could keep the spool at the same diameter and tweak that to optimize the speed.

....thinking out loud.....