Beach wheels

I have just purchased a new H16 which I will keep on a local beach for the summer. I am not going to pull the boat into and out of the water as I did with my previous H16. Although there is very little damage to my 81 16 from doing this. I am thinking I would like to use a set of beach wheels but am concerned that it may be a bit of a job to get the wheels attached to the boat by myself when its windy and chop against the beach. I would greatly appreciate your opinions regarding the use of the wheels.
Thanks

It can be a bit of a chore attaching the wheels when the boat is bucking around. I have found the cradles to be a huge help in this regard. Most of the time there is no need to tie the wheels to the boat when using the cradles as they do not slip very easily.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

Thanks Nick. Do you or anybody here have any experience using pvc pipe? I have been told that using pvc pipe connected together using rope to form a mat works pretty well.

the trax in the Hobie catalog, part number 1650, works great. I agree that the cradles do help the boat to stay on, there is more friction as opposed to just the padded axe rolling under it. we still tie them off to the shrouds but don't always feel the need to, just a habit we have. I know there was just a price increase on the cadkat wheels but they are still worth every penny if your going to but cat trax!

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

Thanks Nick and Brad. It looks like I will get the cadkat wheels. Thanks for your help!

Beach wheels are a must where I live. Between tides and storms, we have to cross up to 50 yards to get to the water.

Tip 1 - move the boat before rigging it. It won't be bucking around that way unless there is a full blown gale.

Tip 2 - (I haven't tried this myself, but always threaten to when putting up on the wheels solo) Tie some extension lines onto the lines from the wheels (I have the Cat Trax, not CadKat). Set the wheels at the bow and run the extensions around the rear pylons and in toward the dolphin striker. At first, you can use your foot to push the wheels back while lifting at the dolphin striker rod. When the wheels get too far to kick, use the extension lines.

What I've usually done is take the un-extended lines around the front pylon, lift at the striker, kick the wheels back, and tie off one side. After the first lift, alternate lifting the pontoons (with one hand lifting by the outboard gunwale) while moving the wheels as far aft as you can (with your free hand), and then tie off (further back) while you do the other side. When the wheels are under the shrouds, you're ready to go. Usually it takes 2 lifts per side, about 5 minutes.

When you buy the beach wheels, make sure the tires are inflatable. The hard tires will not handle bumps very well. Also, keep the air pressure in the tires very low so the weight of the boat is spread out over more area. This will be a huge help in soft sand or mud. The Cat Trax are the best investment I have made in my boat so far.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

Thanks again for the info! The local dealer and I uncrated the boat yesterday and all is well except for the mast. The cardboard tube that is used to ship the mast has one end buggered up pretty bad which of course is the comptip end and the comptip is cracked and chipped in a couple of places. I am hoping to get this corrected in the very near future with a replacement mast. The dealer is talking about replacing the comptip but I did not buy a new boat to get a repaired mast. We shall see how this shakes out. Thanks again all for the info.

check this auction out for beach wheels

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Beach-Wh ... enameZWDVW

if it wasn't for pickup only i'd buy them myself

Latr
Cory

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82 named SeaBass

those wheels are only good if your goign over a hard surface, in beach sand i would rather drag the boat that use those!

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

good to know. thanks for the information

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82 named SeaBass