Cat Trax - End Cap Alternative (Pics)

My new H18 came with a "weathered" set of beach wheels. I am in the process of replacing the badly rotted black tubing (somebody suggested a fuel tank filler hose) and the broken white end caps. I'm new to Hobies and I'm not sure what your experience has been with these end caps, but I noticed about 8 out of every 10 beach wheel end caps on my beach are broken to some degree. This alone makes me wary of dropping $50 on a new pair. After a trip to Home Depot I decided to give a $13 alternative a try. Basically, I bought two heavy duty PVC floor drains ($5 each) and added a PVC sleeve ($3) to make it fit my axle. The upside is they're very, very strong (I'm 230# and I can stand on one without flexing it). The downside, I'm a bit concerned the lip might rub on my hull (in which case I will try fairing and padding or just extending two PVC sleeves over the axle towards the wheel hub). Anyways, here's some pictures - please let me know your thoughts. I'll let you know how they work.....



I'll drill a hole in the middle for my rope....

That looks like an interesting solution .... but ......

most of us w/ H18's have installed cradles on our "beach wheels" ..... either purchased .... or homemade .....

Large diameter PVC pipe works well .... if you heat (carefully) PVC pipe to approx 200-225F the PVC material becomes plyable/moldable ......

There are several past threads here in "H18/H18SX" on how to make these cradles .... please note the "WARNINGS" about spouses/wives about/for keeping domestic happiness .... these lessons have been learned from experience ... but can be funny!!!!! ... in hind-sight......

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HarryMurphey
H-18 mag/ #9458
Fleet 54 Div 11

Thanks Harry. I thought about making cradles after seeing the terrific ones Tad Jones of Idaho crafted, but I'm just not sure I have it in me at this time. My boat sits close to the water on the beach here in town and I don't anticipate a lot of wear and tear from bumpy rides (trailering and/or beach wheeling) or frequent use (I'm just a weekend warrior). I'll be trailering the boat 1 mile home this spring so I can flip it over in my back yard and address the worn gel coat on the keels. Once that is finished, she'll probably spent the next 10-20 years on her belly on my home beach. I'll probably just sell the trailer at some point as I don't think I'll be needing it - we'll see.

Thanks again for the suggestion. I am very intrigued by the idea of making homemade cradles for the beach wheels but first I need to make sure this old boat is seaworthy. I'll probably re-visit the idea in another year or two. Take care.

Brian, Don't sell the trailer for several reasons. First how do you get it off the beach and back home. Second, Resale value. Third, And the most important, When you want to travel to that nearby lake for a regatta or to meet up with new friends for a cruise you have the means to do so.

I keep my boat on a beach as well, but a few weekends a year put it on a trailer to attend a regatta or a long distance cruise. Also my beach dosn't allow year round (winter) beach storage.

Just some insight from a 23 year Hobie sailor.

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1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net

Interesting solution, Brian. I don't have a set of CatTrax right now, but am hoping to buy some this year. Although given past experiences with other beach cat dollies, I plan to shell out for both the cradles and the T-handle.

On a marginally related note, I got married at Fairfield beach, on the sea wall north of the catamaran storage area. That was over ten years ago. Since we eloped, the catamarans were our "witnesses." I still love seeing them in the background, on the few pictures we took that day.

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-Roland
Sailing vintage Hobie Cats in West Africa.

DVL, I appreciate your advise on the trailer. My local dealer's ears perked up when I casually mentioned I was considering selling it the other week but you're right, I should probably just hang on to it.

Africat, WOW, small world!! That's really cool you got married on Jenning's beach. Please look me up if you ever make it back this way. You will probably enjoy this winter photo my wife snapped of somebody's 16 on Jennings with Penfield Light and Long Island looming in the background. Take care.