Homemade Beach Wheels

+1 on MN3 comments
I use pool noodles for luggage rack "cushions" when transporting Sunfish and kayaks. I first split them 1/2 way through to enable going over the luggage rack, then wrap them with a sailcloth "tube" with velcro strips to use as closures. Work well, but I usually only get a season out of them as they deteriorate quickly.
I tried them as part of a galvanized tube assembly to hold and strap down kayaks and Sunfish on the beach as well, but they compress too easily over time and also breakdown in the sun.
Best use I have found for them (other than as a pool noodle) found is the luggage rack mentioned above
I also use them under the sunfish cover where I winter it to keep cover damage from any "parts" (read mainsheet cleat).

You figure the total surface area of hull meeting a 2" or 1' beech wheel tube = very little surface meeting space. Which leads me to believe pool noodle might work for a few times. Perhaps even one outing. Meaning that a couple of pool noodles might allow several outings via the season. My hulls sit on a 3" wide cradle block on the trailer.

I finished up my Loser Beech Wheels today. I'm confident they'll hold the boat over bumps but testing in actual conditions will be the final test. They'll fit real well on the trailer too. Not happy about the carpet pattern but my wife bought a new one... so this one got cut up. I'll post a pic of the wheels in action when I get to the water which is coming up soon.

I bought cat trax off Craigslist. They bend as much as my home made axle. I find you need two sets to effectively move the boat solo across 60 ft of soft sand and must push with foot crossing any rut put there by dept of natural resources atv.

Edited by goodsailing on May 13, 2015 - 10:52 AM.

is that a shark mouth decal on the bow?

is that a shark mouth decal on the bow?

No ,might be shadow of where the previous owner used caulk to fill cracks in gelcoat. I've not discussed this repair, or repair to the repair yet but it's on the list of things left to do.

I just scored probably the cheapest set of Real Cat Trax ever. They worked out to $72 USD. It cost me $20 CDN in gas to get them, leaving enough for 4 Grolsch out of a "boat buck".
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1098204285&utm_source=alerts&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email_alerts
They are the real Mccoy, except I think the tires have been replaced, they are Carlisle 21x11-8.(the ad makes several incorrect references). The PO had the wheels set at the ends in order to move a flat bottom boat, but I discovered the axles come predrilled for several widths of Cats, & what I think are factory "rubber sleeves" were under the white plastic pipe..
I'm currently using a set based JF Fricker & Catsailor Mike's albums. They work, but...
I took these new ones apart, to set them up for my Nacra's, & to see what makes the Florida Sailcraft ones so good, & to see if I could meet Damon's challenge.
I'll also make an album, I think it may help those who still want to build their own.

For those contemplating building their own, here are the real Cat Trax dissected.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=119871

I think it would be very difficult to duplicate them for 1/2 price. All items can be sourced, except the rims. If you can find these, you could make a set of equal quality. IF the rims could be had for $75 ea, your total cost would be $286.
Pete Begle stated he has cut the original axles in half, then inserted a sleeve...in order to use the same set for 8' boats, & 10' Tornado class boats. 48" lengths AL tube,(1/8" wall) is readily available.
Parts breakdown is;

$150- 2 rims with 5" hub. (Assuming you can find the real rims for $75ea).
$56 - 2 Nanco tires 21x12-8
$17 - 17' of 3/8" Delrin rod. Cut it into 40 (20 each wheel) 5" lengths. Rod is .95/ft.
$28 - 2 pcs (48" each) of 2" O.D. 1/8" wall aluminum pipe. Easily sourced on eBay (pipe remnants).
$6 - 4 SS washers from Florida Sailcraft, hard to find them cheaper than here.
$4 - 4 SS cotter pins.
$25 - 2 end caps from FS, though many people could build something adequate.
$0 - 4 Retainer washers, anyone could McGyver these out of quite a few materials.
$0 - 2 pcs 14" automotive pressure hose (2 1/8" I.D.) Any garage will have tons of this in the dumpster.

$286 Total parts.
You could build your own end caps, & just spring for a set of tires/wheels from FS,($258). This would amount to $313 for the set, & you would probably incur a bit for shipping. Not really much of a savings.
I have not tried it, but have read that seating beads on ATV/Balloon tires can be problematic. You might incur further costs having tires mounted. I know some of the ultralight aircraft builders use propane/butane or ether to seat the beads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhn5lpy_fws&feature=youtu.be

Edited by Edchris177 on Sep 11, 2015 - 02:29 PM.