Excel 250mm transom wheels

[pumpkinking]

Today I fitted the 250mm transom wheels that came with my Excel Volante 330. I thought I’d measured it right but I think they’re just too high to be fitted facing under the boat without rubbing. But I don’t think it matters for my use.

FYI for others - I found that the supplied M8 bolts are just a bit too long for my transom and the dome nuts provided wouldn’t have tightened up. Luckily I brought spares with me so put normal M8 nuts on and it’s all fine.

Photos below to show my process:

Measure
Measure again
Measure it again
Mark position
Drill 3.5mm pilot holes
Enlarge to 8mm holes
Silicone around edges
Bolt on bracket
Dammit I measured it wrong

Someone shout for the benefit of others if I’ve done anything (else) majorly wrong!







Forgot to take a photo of the nuts, will do tomorrow.

[Fenlander]

Once you go to a 15hp and above with a fair bit of kit the better balance of transom wheels under the boat helps... but with a 330 air floor and smaller outboard not so crucial.

[Oldman2]

Looks fine like that, to put the brackets lower you would have been behind that plastic strip.
Maybe fit the dome nuts to cover the threads if the bolts are longer than the nuts & washers now. It doesnt matter much but I might have dry assembled marked the bolt length and cut to suit the dome nuts only. Easy to be wise after the event though.

[paddlers]

Wheels are designed to go under the boat to counter the outboard weight & the domed nuts are there to protect the boat when folded. Cut the threaded rod to suit .

[Pikey Dave]

I had the same problem with my Volaire. It’s not possible to mount the wheels low enough to have them tucked under the boat, without them rubbing the hull. Hence mine are facing outwards like the OP’s. I even made up some UHMWPE (plastic[emoji6]) blocks to space the mounting brackets off the transom, but it didn’t help.
OP, you can buy Ny-loc stainless dome nuts from Westfield Fastners for not a lot of money, makes a nice tidy job.

[Oldman2]

Pretty certain I saw a video where someone had extended the tube on those wheels so they did fit under with big wheels on. Its an option.


Of course that opens a new can of worms in that unless you remove the wheels when afloat you need to be sure they dont foul anything like the outboard when raised. Another thing that im aware of is every extra inch is more leverage on the transom fitting should you be wheels down and bang a kerb or beach rock.

[Fenlander]

>>> more leverage on the transom fitting should you be wheels down and bang a kerb or beach rock

Yep that's why for larger outboards/loads I like the Trem HD models that engage with a button near the bottom of the transom as well as the top bracket.

https://www.duncanyacht.co.uk/110453...unching-Wheels

[paddlers]

Trem ones fit ok .

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by paddlers

Attachment 134096



Trem ones fit ok .

They look a tad more substantial than the Excel ones. I’ll give mine a try out this season (if I every get the bloody thing in the water[emoji849]) & see how I go.

[pumpkinking]

First launch today, run the engine in on Ullswater (sorry to rub it in Pikey Dave!) and the wheels were fine the wrong way around.

It was a tad stressful dodging weather and negotiating a PACKED Glenridding steamer carpark so not much time for photos or trial and error before getting on the water I’m afraid, but we’re aiming for a calmer time tomorrow to take photos and videos of the whole process as there are few threads on the go.

But the wheels actually looked like they would fit under the transom... tomorrow I’ll give them a try the way they’re supposed to go.

And yes I put the dome nuts on from the word go, there is just an extra nut on the bolts to make up the difference in length

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by pumpkinking

First launch today, run the engine in on Ullswater (sorry to rub it in Pikey Dave!) and the wheels were fine the wrong way around.

It was a tad stressful dodging weather and negotiating a PACKED Glenridding steamer carpark so not much time for photos or trial and error before getting on the water I’m afraid, but we’re aiming for a calmer time tomorrow to take photos and videos of the whole process as there are few threads on the go.

But the wheels actually looked like they would fit under the transom... tomorrow I’ll give them a try the way they’re supposed to go.

And yes I put the dome nuts on from the word go, there is just an extra nut on the bolts to make up the difference in length

Glad you got out. [emoji106] not at all jealous [emoji31]. We found a nice little “beach” about 3/4 of the way up towards Pooley Bridge on the left hand side of the lake. Had coffee & buns.
Keep us updated on your progress.