chrisj wrote:
Aren't we going around in circles a bit here? The aluminium ramps weigh 16# each. If you add some plywood decking, you essentially end up with a wooden deck with an aluminium subframe which weighs about the same as a braced wooden deck, is less attractive and costs more.
I have not paid much attn to this conversation since I had tramps and was fairly satisfied with them, then I started trying to fish with my grandson and got tired of pulling treble hooks from the tramp.
I read all of the posts and borrowed ideas from many of you to make my own Hakas. I too like the idea of low to no maintenance, so the ladder and foam panels looked interesting just too bulky for my tast. The Ramps however held great possibility in my mind.
Stringy & Chris, I think you dismissed the ramps too soon. Each ramp weighs 8Lbs. before any modifications. If desired you could reduce weight ~2 - 3 lbs by removing several cross members and drilling strategic holes (do we really need to hold over 600lbs on a single Haka). Then there is the assumption that you would have to use wood as decking material, I own a sign shop and one of the materials we use every week is called "Alumalite"
http://www.laminatorsinc.com/sign-panel ... /alumalite same weight as .040 aluminum but 50 times stronger and extreemly weather resistant. a panel cut to fit in the ramps mentioned would weigh 2-3lbs.
My Hakas weigh 10.5 lbs each and I have yet to drill a hole or remove any crossmembers (I am not getting any lighter and might need the extra 400+ lbs of capacity in the future). The ramps have a lip on the edge which gives a nice finish edge to the panels. I used 1" strips of 1/4" polycarbonate heated and bent to shape for the front hooks. (another very strong, very light and almost unbreakable sign making product) the panels are held to the frame with 3m VHB tape and Lexel adhesive (more sign making stuff). I mounted the hooks and clips paralell and far enough apart to fit at the extreem hiking position, the hooks still grip when close to the hull. I will have to relocate the paddle strap and clamp as they are now in the way.
I feel very confident that if someone wanted to get agressive they could remove all crossmembers except for the ends and drill away enough to get the total weight to 7lbs or less.
I bench tested (really ground with two 2 x 4s) the new Haka or sign seat by jumping up and down on it and my 198lbs created zero deflection or damage.
I plan on testing the rig next weekend as it is now almost mid night on Sunday. Project took ~ 4 hours because I kept bouncing between store, my shop and house for materials.
http://s1081.photobucket.com/albums/j35 ... em%20HAKA/