How to install wheels?

lightning · 19 July 2009, 14:03

I've bought some plastic "dinghy Dolly" wheels for my Zodiac 285. (now don't laugh, these will be fine for where we launch)
There's no instructions at all with them. How near to the bottom of the transom should I fit them....as near as possible? The bottom couple of inches has the hull material glued to it on both the outside and inside of the boat. If I install them above this they will only just be low enough to work. Other items like the drain valve are screwed/drilled into this lower part.
I was thinking about an inch from the bottom of the transom? That would make the lower holes about an inch and a half up.

codprawn · 19 July 2009, 14:15

What happens if you want to launch somewhere else though???

prairie tuber · 19 July 2009, 14:34

Before you start drilling, I'd think long and hard about your choice of the plastic wheels. They really are mean't for a showroom floor and nothing else.

They really are that useless. Do you still have the receipt?

thornbackflound · 19 July 2009, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Before you start drilling, I'd think long and hard about your choice of the plastic wheels. They really are mean't for a showroom floor and nothing else.

They really are that useless. Do you still have the receipt?

Totaly agree there ,plastic rubbish,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,plus you will be drilling 8 holes in the transom instead of 4 ,well some dolly wheels have 4 holes in each bracket

lightning · 19 July 2009, 15:31

The dealer sent us both types of wheels to try. I realise the pneumatic wheels are better but it's only a little 2.8m SIB with a 6hp engine. Weighs about 60kg all up. We can carry it easily using the handles on each side of the boat, with the engine on. The big pneumatic wheels look like overkill! And he said the Zodiac ones were small!

prairie tuber · 19 July 2009, 15:33

Overkill is a good thing.

PeterM · 19 July 2009, 15:34

Lightning - I have had the plastic dinghy dolley wheels on my last 2 sibs & a small RIb (Avon 310). If you only want to use them on hard 'stuff' - concrete & tarmac you will be fine . I'll find some pics of how mine are fixed - first 2 used bolts through the transome , but now are just screwed on . Used ONLY on tarmac 100yards to the slip & back each time.

Pete

edit - photos now added 0f the RIB & current SIB - just make sure there is a decent amount of sealant between the wheel & transom - it will squeeze out everywhere - but better to much than too little !

Not sure why there is such a hatred on here for them - horses for courses & all that ! I know I'll never want to launch off gravel / sand etc - so I'd rather have these , small, light , discrete jobs than big old tractor tyres hanging off the back , or have to drag the SIB up concrete etc to a car.

PM me if you are not sure!

PeterM · 19 July 2009, 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Overkill is a good thing.

Not always .........

chris123 · 19 July 2009, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackroady

Not sure why there is such a hatred on here for them - horses for courses & all that ! I know I'll never want to launch off gravel / sand etc - so I'd rather have these , small, light , discrete jobs than big old tractor tyres hanging off the back , or have to drag the SIB up concrete etc to a car.

I'm with Blackroady on this - the little dinghy dolly wheels worked fine on my old SIB, and whilst the pneumatic ones on my new SIB may be better on a loose surface, for everything else they are more hassle.

Cheers

Chris

Leapy · 19 July 2009, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris123

...the pneumatic ones...are more hassle

Another Iconic Topic

4 Stroke v 2 Stroke
Rib Eye v All else

and now...Pneumatic v Solid launching wheels

Great stuff guys

chris123 · 19 July 2009, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

Another Iconic Topic

4 Stroke v 2 Stroke
Rib Eye v All else

and now...Pneumatic v Solid launching wheels

Great stuff guys

You forgot the other hardy perennial

Training v 'Common Sense'

(sorry Lightning for taking your thread OT)

lightning · 20 July 2009, 08:55

Thanks for the comments/pictures. I've fitted the plastic wheels as shown by "Blackroady" on his pictures. I think we'll be fine with those as our boat is so small/light we could carry it over rough ground to launch it if needed.
Used silicone sealant as advised. Fitted the wheels about an inch from the bottom of the transom.
One thing though, when you lift the boat to move it the rear of the tubes are only an inch from the ground, if I'd installed the wheels any higher on the transom I'd have been in trouble.

PeterM · 20 July 2009, 09:57

Good stuff .

I know what you mean about the tubes not being far from the floor. I looked at this and realised that as I was on level, smooth ground I was fine. If you need to adjust the height of the bow to make sure you dont drag the tubes a quick loop in the bowline can allow you to have the bow ' lower' when you you move it.

I'm sure this may provoke a string of ' told you so ' posts from the 'big wheel' fans ..........

codprawn · 20 July 2009, 14:08

No comment is best.........

In fairness he does only have a 6hp engine but if you are going to carry it why have wheels at all? Mine never get in the way and my boat is only a 3.1m.

Only drawback with my wheels is that they have so much air in them it is almost impossible to lower lower them whilst you are in the boat - would be nice to drop them down like a mini version of sealegs and power up the beach!!!

prairie tuber · 20 July 2009, 14:38

Well hopefully they'll work out. If not, you can always install them on a large piece of airport luggage.

PeterM · 20 July 2009, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Well hopefully they'll work out. If not, you can always install them on a large piece of airport luggage.

Now they would be ace in an airport - all so smooth floors but ............ no water !

HE ONLY WANTS TO BE ABLE TO ROLL ON SMOOTH SURFACES !

Its like me saying why cant my RIB do 100mph on the motor way - its just does what its suposed to do ! At least (unlike codders)- we dont have to keep it up all the time - I'm happy if mines up or down & dont worry about punctures ! I do however have trouble getting them up sometimes.

LEAVE US SMALL WHEEL LOVERS ALONE !

I'll get my coat

lightning · 28 July 2009, 22:13

Well....I've used the boat with the plastic wheels and they are OK! For the canal anyway. One advantage is you can roll the boat into the water off the canal bank, and because the wheels are small, the boat does does not drop too far when the wheels go over the edge. Also when dragging it out, the wheels just roll up and over the canal bank.

AllenF · 28 July 2009, 22:20

if it aint broke dont fix it