Launching Wheels

[duggie12]

Hi folks

Sorry I know the wheels question has been done to death but I would appreciate a bit of advice

I'm looking for new wheels for my 4m alloy honwave and 15hp suzuki - so about 140 odd kg. I'm mainly going to be using them on sand. My current plastic flip wheels are fine on a slip way but tend to dig into the sand.

Do you think I'm better going with a sandhopper or a large pneumatic wheel? Which is best on sand? I have pneumatic wheels on my f rib and they are a pain to get on when in the water as they want to float - I'm wondering if the larger pneumatic ones are a nightmare to get on, or am I being a wimp?

Also from reading other posts it seems to be the considered opinion that the Trem ones are the best, is that right? If anyone has any other recommendations it would be good to hear them. I'm not too fussed about the cost, just want to get the best ones.

Thanks

[kaman]

Hi Duggie I know what you are saying about the large pneumatic tyres.
I use simple up and over aluminium legged transom wheels that sit in a piece of u channel.
I bought them from Pacer marine 6 years ago and still going fine.
I've put larger wheels on as the larger tyres perform better on sand.
I carry a small galvanised pole made out of an old bit of the kids trampoline frame. It's got a small hook that I use to hook onto the hub flip the wheels over and push them down under water when coming ashore.
I use the same pole to retrieve the wheels when I launch - push the wheels down once in deeper water water and they pop back up themselves.

[camelgas]

I have lots of experience of both types of wheel. Blow up every time for me !.

[paddlers]

I customised my Trem set with 4" stainless handles and it makes them very easy to handle when putting them up or down. The handle sits just above the transom on my Honwave.

[duggie12]

Thanks guys, very useful info

Pneumatic it is then, i will probably go for the trem ones and I'll perhaps attempt a modification like yours paddlers. I can't weld but I can maybe get something I can clamp on that i can use as a handle

[Fenlander]

I would say for £16/pr and a fuss free substitution to trial get some sandhopper wheels to go on whatever legs you buy. After trying most wheel types on many sets of legs over the years they are the ones I've settled to and it's great not to fight tyre buoyancy any more.

[duggie12]

Thanks fenlander

Yes very true it's not an expensive purchase to get the sandhopper wheels and will do no harm to have 2 different sets

Of all the different legs you've tried has there been a standout for you?

[Fenlander]

Two types stand out for me...

If you want to remove after launch the tall Zodiac own brand that are supplied for Aerotec etc are great.... even more so if you get a pair from 15y+rs ago as they were even better made back then.

For flip ups I rate the Trem HD (the type Paddlers has modded in the pics above) with the lower tab very highly... well made and strong.

[paddlers]

The handle modification was surprisingly cheap. 1" stainless tube from eBay a few pounds and a tenner to get it welded. My local steel fabrication place did it in 20 minutes. Just make sure you get the positioning right so that they are above the transom when up.

[kaman]

The trem wheels look the business and certainly get a cracking write up.
Having looked them over in my local chandlers I was very impressed.
My cheapo aluminium set have worked well for me.
However I wouldn't like to depend on them for wheeling my heavy Honwave 3.5ae any great distance particularly over rough ground. I use them for rolling the sib on and off of the trailer into the water mostly on sand and shingle beaches.
I intend to change my Sib next year and the trem wheels are near the top of my shopping list for going on my new tub.
I agree with Fenlanders comments regarding fighting the buoyancy of large pneumatic wheels. I've lost count the number of times I got wet sleeves trying to retrieve and deploy the large pneumatic launch wheels whilst on the water.
That's when I knocked together a pole with a rounded hook .
There's no sharp edges on it once afloat it sits in one of my fishing rod holders - it's that of an important piece of sib equipment to me now.
I always use it for deploying the wheels when coming ashore and for retrieving the wheels after launch.
Simply push the wheels down against the transom and allow the buoyancy to push them up into a locked position. Retrieval is the opposite.
This system has worked well for my needs
I have tried all sorts of wheel / tyre combinations.
For me the best by far is the large pneumatic tyres.
Can't recall how the trem mechanism works so it might be back to wet sleeves or looking for a more robust stainless steel version of the set up I have at present.
Pictured is my current wheels before the larger wheels were added.
A good stronger stainless steel version would work well on your Honwave.
Just my tuppence.

[kaman]

Cheapo aluminium launch wheels