Launching wheels

[calibra]

Hi

I'm looking for some launching wheels for my 3.2m dinghy.

At the moment, I dont have an engine as I am looking for one. The engine size will probably be a 9.8hp as 15hp maybe a bit heavy to move around.

I keep my boat in a bag, so I guess I need wheels I can easily be remove.

Are these any good? Launching Wheels Boat Inflatable Dinghy RIB foldable transom wheels Video Inside | eBay

Thanks

James

[Peter_C]

Although expensive I am partial to the removable Beach Masters.

[John Kennett]

Having tried various options those would be my choice too. The removable ones weren't available when I got mine, but I've got threaded inserts in the transom now so they are quick to attach and remove.

Some people may find the relatively small wheel size a disadvantage but the convenience more than makes up for that in my view. And they are really cool too

[philpot]

I have these, superb. Photo in the thread above this one ' bigger wheels etc '

Phil

[jamool]

Those wheels look nice however they are mounted very low on transom in the picture. I had some problems with the flip up wheels restricting how far I could turn my outboard however those wheels stay under the top of transom which is good.

I would also buy the beachmaster wheels in the future as they appear to get really good reviews.

[John Kennett]

calibra your thread seems to have been hijacked by the Beachmaster fan club, sorry!

Those wheels you linked to look like good value and a tidy design. I don't know how well the mountings would stand up to being abused with a heavy boat on a difficult surface, but should be fine for your use.

If you do need to mount it as low as shown then make sure that nothing inside the boat will interfere with the floor.

[kaman]

I have this set up and it works really well

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/400442566809


Taken the wheels/tyres off as they are tosh and replaced them with these

http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=321494880045


Works well on Honwave 3.5ae with tohatsu 20 hp 4 stroke.
See previous thread - Bigger launch wheels less back ache.

Looks like .....

[kaman]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Those wheels you linked to look like good value and a tidy design. I don't know how well the mountings would stand up to being abused with a heavy boat on a difficult surface, but should be fine for your use.

If you do need to mount it as low as shown then make sure that nothing inside the boat will interfere with the floor.

Very valid point and this would put me off the set up in question.
My sib weight is probably at the limit that my launch wheels were designed to carry.
As I use a trailer the wheels only get used for launching and recovering the Sib onto a dry trailer.
They are now 4 years old and still going strong.
The mounting points are two through transom bolts (m8) both of which are well clear of the floor and up out of the water line.
One nylock m10 bolt horizontally secures the up and over wheel leg to the body of the setup. Can be easily removed in under one minute.
All in - for 100 quid I'm very pleased with their performance.

[paddlers]

I've just got a Honwave 3.5 AE with a 20hp Tohatsu on & fitted the Honwave launch wheels. Nice piece of kit but I've found them a bit of a bugger to unhook from the bottom stud arrangement on my own especially if it's on the water!!
I'll probably get a couple of bits of tube welded on at right angles so I can push them down !!

[calibra]

[calibra]

Hi

Thank you for the replies. I do like the look of the BeachMasters, however they are pretty expensive, especially when I need an engine too

I may have an issue mounting wheels. Can you notice the two bits of wood on the backboard? I have no idea why they are there or what purpose they solve. I suppose they could be used to keep the air floor down


boat by jamesbatt, on Flickr

[calibra]

Originally Posted by kaman

I have this set up and it works really well

SMALL BOAT Folding Launching Wheels Fold Up Rib Inflatable Dinghy Ally Aluminium | eBay


Taken the wheels/tyres off as they are tosh and replaced them with these

400x8 16" Plastic Boat Launch Trolley Trailer Dinghy Barrow wheel tyre -220kg x2


Works well on Honwave 3.5ae with tohatsu 20 hp 4 stroke.
See previous thread - Bigger launch wheels less back ache.

Looks like .....

Hi

This setup looks pretty good two. Can you easily remove them without unscrewing the bracket from the boat?

James

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by calibra

Hi
I have no idea why they are there or what purpose they solve. I suppose they could be used to keep the air floor down


boat by jamesbatt, on Flickr

Correct that is just what they are for, you could always remove them fit the bolts and then put them back

[kaman]

Hi Calibra
One m10 bolt and nut attaches / releases wheel/leg from the body of mounting bracket.
The wheel leg rotates around this horizontal bolt.
See image on earlier eBay link depicting the wheel and mount set up.

[kaman]

Attached pic shows the m10 nut on the side of the mounting bracket.
Undo the nut and extract the bolt and voila.
Wheel and the attached leg comes of in under 30 secs.

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by paddlers

I've just got a Honwave 3.5 AE with a 20hp Tohatsu on & fitted the Honwave launch wheels. Nice piece of kit but I've found them a bit of a bugger to unhook from the bottom stud arrangement on my own especially if it's on the water!!
I'll probably get a couple of bits of tube welded on at right angles so I can push them down !!

Have you tried using the paddle in the boat?

My balloon wheels at 49cm won't pop up, after the pin is removed, without a little persuasion from a paddle, and a lot of persuasion with a paddle to get them back underwater.

[paddlers]

That's what I've been doing Peter but it's not ideal. I want to throw one of the kids in the water to do it but my wife says I shouldn't....

I favour a short handle at right angles so I can exert some downforce & flip them back. I've loads of clearance with the outboard.

[kaman]

Originally Posted by paddlers

That's what I've been doing Peter but it's not ideal. I want to throw one of the kids in the water to do it but my wife says I shouldn't....

I favour a short handle at right angles so I can exert some downforce & flip them back. I've loads of clearance with the outboard.

Throw the wife in then she will be stronger than a kid lol!!!

I prefer to keep the paddles attached to the rowlocks just in case you need to row out of danger.
Amazing how quickly you drift when your attention is diverted.
I've fashioned an old aluminium tube from a trampoline and an old bike handle bar grip to push my wheels down and unlock them.
The bigger the wheels are the harder it is to get them back up from under the water.