Re: launching wheels
Any of you guys build your own launching wheels or some type of dolly? I'm debating on making my own, but wondering if it just be cheaper to buy them after I waste time coming up with a design and gathering parts. The cheapest set I found was on boatstogo website ,(which sells the saturn line of boats), for $75 plus shipping.
I built up a set of Launch Wheels about a year ago, and if it were not
for having about 1/2 the stuff I needed, it may have been just as
well to order a set.
And to top it off, depending upon how much you like projects,
there is more than enough fabrication work to make just buying
a set more than worth while.
And then we did not even start to talk about running around to
gather all of the construction materials up. For myself, I worked
it all into other errands...
However, after the dose of reality...,
I have to admit I like the concept I stumbled
upon far better than what is available at the $75 + S/H price point. Thus
when compared to that really cool German Design for $150 or $200, it
turns out to be a compromise between a more elegant design and cost
/ fabrication hassle. A worth while compromise. I figure with this
boat I am going to be in the water for launch, and $30 or $40 out
of pocket plus some sweat fit the budget far better than $200.
The concept I came upon allows the wheels to rotate and tuck in a little
better in the stowed position.
As always, it is the user's call.
For myself, it was a pain, but I am pleased with the result.
and as it is said,
no pain, no gain
and now for the brave, some fabrication insights
Hopefully I figured out how to attach the concept drawing and photos
to provide some insights and better clue in anyone who may be interested.
As can be seen on the conceptual drawing,
the design will also accommodate "duallies" which may help in getting
through softer soils. Though I would have to change the design, where
the location of the transom mounting bolts and strut retaining pins
should be swapped so it would be possible to have a retaining bracket
higher up on backside of the transom. Of note within this line of thought,
when configured for dullies, the design rather resorts to the "$75 solution"
for wheels in the stowed position.
Another option would be to just fabricate new / longer struts such that the
tire just barely missed the top of the transom when in the rotated position.
Looking at the Bill of Materials below, the struts cost about $22. Getting
longer square aluminum stock and a second set of wheels would add about $15
to the basic strut cost, so $35 or $40 for a duallie strut with both wheels.
If you were going to swap wheels between struts, that could save ~$12.
Can not say what I would do, I have not had the need for anything other
than the single set of wheels.
Depending upon the stainless and aluminum source, you could easily
end up paying 100 or 150 for materials. Though if you work in a metal
shop, this could be one of those "Government Projects". I stayed away
from HOld-eM-up dEpot and Anything But Lowes, getting my materials from
the local metal supply and bolt shop, Tractor Supply ( still sells bolts
by the pound, not the SKrU), Harbor Freight, and Locally Owned ACE Hardware,
and looking for the bargains on top of that.
Bill of Materials ~$60 or $70 once you include sales tax
From Industrial Metals - Mt Clemens, Michigan
~$3 3' - 1.25" - 1/8" Wall Aluminum Angle
~$2 3 - 1" - 1/8" Wall Aluminum Flat Stock ( backing plates on inside of transom )
~$7 3' - 1.25" - 1/8" Wall Aluminum Square Tubing
From Mid-State Bolt - Shelby Township, Michigan
~$13 8 - 1/4" x 2" Stainless Button Head Hex Socket Screws
.................( I got the A4 marine rated stainless screws, 'probably could have gone
...................with A2 grade for about 1/3rd the cost since it is highly unlikely that
...................boat will be in the water even 50 hours a year )
~$2.5 8 - 1/4" Stainless Nylock Nuts
From Tractor Supply - Romeo, Michigan
~$1 2 - 5/8" x 1" Hex Bolts ( Galvanized )
~$2 2 - 5/8" x 3" Hex Bolts ( Galvanized )
~$3 1 - 5/8" Threaded Rod Joiner ( Galvanized )
From Harbor Freight Tools - Clinton Township, Michigan
~$12 2 - 10" Pneumatic Tire
~$6 4 - 1/4" x 2.5" PTO Pins
...............( figured I'd just get the kit since the pins are about $2 ea else where)
~$2 1 pack - Ball Stretch Cords ( to retain PTO Pins together in pairs )
From ACE Hardware - Romeo, Michigan
~$10 1 Tube - Lexel ( to seal all holes through the transom )
.............( or something similar that you have on hand so you can save a buck - ten or twelve )
Fabrication & Installation Notes:
1)
Make sure you leave no sharp edges or burrs on your work,
round / hogg off corners with a file and sand paper or emery cloth
and clean up the edges of all of the holes you will end up drilling.
2)
First, I fabricated the Angle Brackets and Flat Stock Backing Plates.
3)
Second, I installed Angle Brackets and Flat Stock Backing Plates.
4)
Third, I just laid up the Struts flush to the bottom of the hull
( essentially in the stowed position )
and used the holes in the angle brackets as a jig to locate
the mounting holes in the struts.
5)
Fourth, With the Struts in the stowed position, I located the axle bolt
holes such that the flat of the hex head just barely clears the top of
the transom.
OK, I've likely confused the heck out of anyone who has made it
this far in this post, so that is all for now.
good luck
&
peace to all