Honwave-poor quality of components- launch wheels

[andyadam]

A poster on another thread made mention that when fitting honwave launch wheels the bolts were too short for the aluminium floor model ?

well rather than fix the issue it seams Honda has just cut corners and supplied extra long bolts now in the wheel packs , so long in fact that i had to cut an inch of each one of them !
Not really great Honda ! given that inflatables dont like sharp objects its maybe not an idea to supply bolts which stick an inch out from the nut on boats that are to be rolled/folded and have a material floor

How hard would it actually be to supply correctly sized bolts for specific launch wheels, for 170 quid id think you could make the effort

[paintman]

Maybe because they'll also be fitted to boats other than Honwave so they've taken a one-size-fits-all approach?

Any advice in the instructions about trimming the bolts?

[kaman]

Dremel!

[Starovich]

I'd ask Alonso about fit for purpose and honda :>)

[Fenlander]

In truth Andy I'd say longer is fair enough. The exact length needed depends on how many washers you might use, slight variations in transom thickness (even on the same sib), how tight you do the nuts up and if you are taking the opportunity to use the inner side of the fixings for anything else.

Once I have them fitted and nuts are tightened down I always saw the spare thread off and file smooth flush with the nut end then put a blob of clear car touch up pencil to make them absolutely smooth for (as you mention) the purpose of not the slightest chance they will mark tube/floor material when folded.

[andyadam]

Originally Posted by paintman

Maybe because they'll also be fitted to boats other than Honwave so they've taken a one-size-fits-all approach?

Any advice in the instructions about trimming the bolts?

Absolutely no mention

[andyadam]

one of the rivets on the flooring also had the steel shaft of the rivet still in it and sticking up as well, if i wasnt anal about checking it right out of the box, and just went ahead and put the floor in and pumped it up i would have had a puncture in the tube on the first inflation !

quality control really is Cr** on the parts other than the fabric of the sib, the tubes and fabric themselves seem really well made, maybe the guys in the metal shop dont have the masks to stop the glue fumes !
Not what i would have expected from something with a Honda branding

[Fenlander]

You have been unlucky so don't lose confidence in it. My own 3.5AE was perfect in every respect out of the box and on the whole across the forums problems with the Honwaves are few and far between... most folks are very pleased and dealers seem quick to sort issues where they have been present.

They are still a very worthwhile buy particularly when price is considered. The 3.5AE is usually around £820 and the similar length, spec & performance Zodiacs are between £1300 & £2800!

[paddlers]

I have to agree with Fenlander on the quality of the Honwave. I have a 3.5 AE that I bought about 4 years ago. Other than a modification of my own on the wheels to make them easier to raise & lower the whole thing coupled up with a Tohatsu 20 hp has been faultless.
Once you boss the stringer insertion technique the thing's an absolute joy to own and I'm hoping for a good few years out of it.

[Davie]

Cut to bolts to the correct length and use domed nuts

[Fenlander]

That's a good idea Davie... I've actually this variant of that on mine.

[chipko]

Yeah both good ideas. Another variant fit eye nuts or schrader valve dust caps or combination of both.

[andyadam]

Originally Posted by Davie

Cut to bolts to the correct length and use domed nuts

Hi Davie, thats exactly what i did, meant a trip to b&q on a sunday morning though.

I get what everyones saying though, thats the reason i bought the Honwave in the first place, just really dissapointed that there were blatant issues like this from a supposedly well rated company.

still, its all done now, and i do believe it will last for years going forward, so onlyhappy times ahead now (Hopefully)