bow weight when using transom wheels

[spindrift3m]

hi All,
I am very new at this and have been reading everyones post on transom wheels, am I correct in thinking if you use transom wheels, you have to be capable of lifting half of the boat weight to push / pull to waters edge?

thankyou for your help in advance
spindrift3m

[Fenlander]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Ideally transom wheels should have straight legs (with the rake of the transom causing them to be a little forward of the top of the transom) or they should curve slightly forwards under the transom.

This means when you have the weight of the outboard on it is slightly behind the point of balance of the wheels so to a degree it balances out a part of the boat's weight from the perspective of lifting the bow handle... or at the very least doesn't add to it.

Until we get to the water's edge we put the fuel tank and kit right against the transom to minimise that adding weight at the bow... we even hang a couple of the heaviest dry bags over the back of the transom to help the balance.

[jeffstevens763@g]

when i fitted mine to the boat which is 100 kg engine 61 kg i could barely lift the boat with nothing in it on my own so i bined them OMO

[spindrift3m]

thank you gentlemen, I think I will have to try one out. the salesman says the spindrift 3m weighs 60 kg then put a 5 hp on the back, I may be looking at 30 kg to lift the bow. may be to much. aspre inflatable weighs 40kg may be better.
but really appreciate your responses.

[Fenlander]

Oh trust me from experience I know a 3m with 5hp and correctly fitted transom wheels will be so easy to move.

This is an inflatable boat?? 60kg is heavy for a 3m unless it has an alloy floor??

[spindrift3m]

the 60kg one is made from plastic - roto mold

and the asprey is inflatable

[Fenlander]

If both suit your use then the lightest will be easiest obviously... but I still think the 60kg one will be OK as long as the transom wheels curve under.