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Hobie Plug-In Cart TRAX Model
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Author:  Klondike [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie Plug-In Cart TRAX Model

Fly'n C Lion......your method for removing the Cart does sound "easy", and a very reasonable option - thanks! However, I'm not convinced your method for re-inserting the Cart will work consistently, so I'll be watching for another post from you about your next couple of experiences. Thanks!

Author:  Roadrunner [ Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie Plug-In Cart TRAX Model

I use the standard cart for both the AI and TI. I always roll the boats in and out of the water on wheels. It's easy to snatch the wheels out with the amas collapsed. To get them in is a little more difficult (especially solo with the TI), but the wheels are not too hard to manipulate under water. In my case, I collapse the amas, leave the mast in for counterbalance and jerk the near side out of the water, supporting it against my bent legs while reaching under with the cart. Takes a little practice -- works with both boats and is easier than dragging the boats ashore.

For higher volume wheels (Trax, Trax 2, Heavy Duty), pirates method of adding water is very simple. It's a tried and true adaptation of an old farm tractor trick to add cheap wheel weight for added traction.

1. unscrew the valve
2. submerge the wheel in a bucket of fresh water until mostly full (if your wheels have a steel hub, add environmentally friendly antifreeze to prevent rust)
3. stand the wheel upright on the ground (valve stem up) and rotate it spilling the water out of the open stem to about mid hub +/-
4. insert the valve
5. With the valve stem up, add a little air to spec.

This neutralizes the buoyancy, without impairing the operation of the wheels. The wheels become heavy out of the water, but you don't have to lift them far and they have an insignificant impact on boat performance.

I haven't used this method on the boats since I use standard carts, but I've been using this for years on small tractors, and pirate has demonstrated its effectiveness with his AI.

Just a note here about shortening the cart legs by adjusting the cart clamps. Hobie recommends the cart legs always go completely through the scupers and out the other end; scupper tubes are thin and fragile and can be torn by transporting the boat without the cart legs extending completely through the scuppers. 8)

Author:  Klondike [ Tue Jun 29, 2010 12:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie Plug-In Cart TRAX Model

Roadrunner...thanks for the additional feedback! As soon as the BP oil is cleaned up from our Gulf waters, I'm going to try Pirate's method - it does seem to be a proven method.

Author:  Fly'n C Lion [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 7:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie Plug-In Cart TRAX Model

Last week I was able to go out in my AI six times. Amazingly, Klondike, except for my first try, I had great success when using my method of inserting my wheel cart back on my boat to pull onto shore. The posts slid consistantly into the scupper holes. :P Six times out of seven!!! Not bad.

Before I discovered this method, I had thought of using Pirate's partly, water filled wheels, but they add extra weight to the boat, and since I'm, ah.....muscle challenged, the less weight to pull the better.

Reconlon, thank you for the info on how far the posts should go into the sucpper holes. There is about 1/4" of space left in the scupper holes after I've plugged in the wheels. I'll lower the cart clips next week when I get back up there.

Author:  Klondike [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie Plug-In Cart TRAX Model

Fly'n C Lion and Roadrunner - Well, I have tried Pirate's method for inserting/removing the TRAX Cart wheels several more times and it seems to work pretty well (except initially when I didn't have enough water in the tires). So far, the only "downside" to this method has been the previously mentioned additional weight - but, it doesn't seem to be a major problem. I'll likely use this method until someone has a better solution. Thanks for all of the responses!

Klondike

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