Operation of an inflatable craft is often associated with physical exertion, especially when it comes to moving the vessel along the shore to the water. transom wheels It's becoming an indispensable element for owners of heavy boats with engines, allowing them to handle transportation alone, and making this device on their own will not only save the budget, but also create a design that is ideal for a particular model of the vessel.
Unlike factory counterparts, homemade devices can be adapted to any non-standard conditions, whether it is a complex terrain of the shore or the specific geometry of cylinders. Properly assembled mechanism greatly simplifies descent and ascent to land, saving the resources of your boat. PVC boat In this article, we will explore all the nuances of creating a reliable node that will last for many years.
The build quality directly affects safety and usability, so the choice of materials and tools should be approached responsibly. The optimal wheel diameter for sandy and rocky shore is from 260 to 300 mm, which provides better permeability compared to small analogues. Having understood the theory, you can easily implement a project that will turn a tedious craving into an easy walk.
Selection of materials and preparation of tools
The first step in any technical project is to select the right components. metallicIt's a squirrel that needs to be strong enough to break, but still be lightweight, and most often, the craftsmen use duraluminium pipes or rectangular section profiles, because steel will require a lot of corrosion protection and will add extra weight.
The key element is the wheels themselves. Inflatable boats are best suited to the models with the wheels. pneumatic chamber Or cast polyurethane variants with bearings. The use of simple plastic wheels from trolleys is not recommended, as they quickly break down on stones and do not cushion well. AISI 304 or AISI 316to prevent rust from appearing after contact with water.
To fix the structure on cylinders or transom, you need special belts, plates and bolt connections. It is important to prepare a set of tools in advance: an electric drill with a set of drills for metal, a Bulgarian for cutting the profile, wrenches and possibly a welding machine if you choose a steel base. sealant for processing the entry points of bolts into the pipes.
- 🛠️ Aluminum pipe with a diameter of 20-25 mm or a profile of 20x20 mm is the basis of the frame.
- ⚙️ Wheels with a diameter of 260-300 mm with bearings - the chassis.
- 🔩 Fastening made of stainless steel (bolts M8-M10, nuts, washers) - assembly of knots.
- 📏 Roulette, marker and coalstone - marking of details.
⚠️ Attention: When using aluminum alloys, avoid direct contact of steel and aluminum without gaskets, otherwise galvanic corrosion will occur, which will quickly destroy the fastener.
Design features and types of fastenings
There are several proven wheel-mounting schemes, each with its own advantages. The most common option is to attach directly to the wheel. granule This arrangement allows the wheels to be upright when moving and to go down when necessary without taking up space inside the cockpit.
The second popular method is installation on inflatable cylinders This is a good option because it doesn't load the transom and allows you to adjust the height of the axis relative to the ground, but it requires very careful assembly to ensure that the sharp edges of the metal don't damage the PVC fabric with prolonged load or vibration.
The third type is removable structures that are installed only when transport is necessary and completely dismantled before getting on the water. This reduces the sailing of the boat and eliminates the risk of catching algae or driftwood while sailing. The type of attachment depends on the frequency of use of the boat and the conditions of launching in your area.
| Type of attachment | Difficulty of installation | Reliability | Impact on driving performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per transom (stationary) | Medium | High. | Minimum (if removed) |
| On cylinders (belts) | Low. | Medium | Missing. |
| Removable pin | High. | High. | Missing. |
| Turning (flipping) | High. | Very high. | Minimum |
When designing it is important to consider geometryIf the bottom has a pronounced keel or cutanes, the axis of the wheels should be positioned so that the boat retains a horizontal position when moving. The slope of the transom also plays a role: the greater the angle of deviation from the vertical, the longer the brackets must be to compensate.
Frame and bracket manufacturing
The process of creating a load-bearing frame begins with precise marking and cutting of the metal. If you use a round pipe, you need to calculate the length of the pillars so that the axis of the wheel in the lowered state is below the level of the keel, but not too far, so as not to create a lever that turns the transom. For a rectangular profile, the task is simplified, since the faces are easier to dock and cook (or connect with bolts).
The swivel mechanisms that are most convenient require a hinge assembly that allows the wheels to be lifted upwards, pressed against the transom, and fixed in the position of operation, often using pre-built furniture hinges of reinforced type or homemade axles with spring-loaded latchers. spring This is the key element that keeps the wheels in the right position.
☑️ Checking frame geometry
When assembling the frame, make sure that all corners are straight and the welded seams (if any) are cleaned and painted. The sharp edges of the metal must be rounded with a file or a Bulgarian, so that during active use, you do not cut your hands or equipment. If the structure is assembled on bolts, use engroverted washers to prevent spontaneous unwinding from vibration.
⚠️ Attention: When welding aluminum profiles, use argon welding and filler material of the same brand, otherwise the seam will be fragile and may burst under load.
Installation of the wheel unit on the boat
Installing the finished structure on the boat requires precision and adherence to technology. If you are mounting wheels to the transom, first try on the brackets without tightening to make sure that they do not interfere with the operation of the engine and do not block access to the drain valve. The distance between the wheels should be such that they do not touch the cylinders when the boat sways.
Inflatable elements are fixed by special plywood (sheathed stainless steel) or rigid plastics that are glued to the cylinder or strap-on through valve holes, and a metal frame is already installed on these sites. It is important that the pressure at the contact points is distributed evenly without creating local inflection points. PVC fabric.
Use rubber gaskets between the metal and the boat, which will protect the material from abrasion and give additional stability to the structure. Bolts that pass through the transom or pads should be tightened with effort, but without fanaticism, so as not to deform the plastic or wood of the transmolatory board.
- 📍 Mark the anchorage points on the transom or cylinders.
- 🔨 Install rubber dampers or gaskets.
- 🔩 Secure the brackets using counternuts.
- 🔄 Check the operation of the mechanism of rise/lower.
Nuances of fastening to a wooden transom
If your boat's transom is made of plywood, be sure to treat the bolt entry points with epoxy glue or sealant, which will prevent moisture from entering the wood, which can lead to plywood stratification and rotting, and it is also recommended to use wide washers or metal plates on the back of the transom to distribute the load.
Improvement and improvement of driving performance
After initial assembly and testing, minor defects are often identified that are easy to fix, for example, if the wheels are too rigid and transmit vibration to the body, you can experiment with tire pressure. For cast wheels, additional shock absorbers will be installed at the axle attachment points to the frame.
You should pay special attention to position locks. You might not have enough regular springs if the boat is very heavy, so you can add a second set of springs or use more rigid options. handle for control, so as not to get your hands dirty when lifting wheels from dirt or water.
Don't forget to paint. Even if you've used stainless steel or aluminum, the extra protection of powder paint or a special formulation for marine applications will prolong the life of the product. The bright color of the wheels also serves as a marker to make it easier to spot them in grass or on dark ground.
Lubricate the movable joints of the hinges with silicone lubrication before each season - this will protect the mechanism from jamming with sand and salt.
Operational rules and maintenance of the machinery
The durability of homemade wheels depends on proper care. Every time you go out into a body of water, especially salt, you have to wash it with fresh water. Salt is an aggressive electrolyte that can destroy even quality alloys in one season if left on the surface.
Before long storage (winter), it is recommended to remove the wheels, clean them of dirt and lubricate all moving parts with conservation grease. It is better to store in a dry room, avoiding direct sunlight on rubber tires, since ultraviolet light contributes to aging rubber and cracks.
Check the tightening of bolt joints regularly. Vibration when moving on an uneven surface can weaken even well-tightened nuts. If you notice a backlash in the wheel axis or hinges, immediately eliminate it by replacing worn-out sleeves or bearings.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the boat with the wheels lowered in high winds unattended - they can play the role of a sail and overturn the boat or drag it into the water.
Regular maintenance and washing with fresh water increase the service life of homemade wheels by 2-3 times.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I use wheels from a baby carriage or bicycle?
Technically possible, but not recommended. Wheels from wheelchairs often have weak axles and bearings, not designed for the weight of a motorized boat (50-100 kg or more). Bicycle wheels can fit, but they are difficult to attach to the transom because of the large width of bushings and spokes, which are afraid of lateral loads. It is better to use specialized wheels for boats or trolleys.
What load capacity should the wheels be?
The total load capacity of the two wheels should exceed the weight of your boat in running order (with engine, battery and equipment) by at least 30-40%. If the boat weighs 80 kg, each wheel should withstand at least 60 kg, but it is better to take with a margin of up to 100 kg per wheel.
Do I need to remove the motor when transporting on wheels?
In most cases, you don't need to remove the motor if the transom and wheels are strong enough, but if you're going through a very steep climb or soft sand, removing the motor will reduce the load on the knots and reduce the risk of transom damage or boat fall.
What if the squirrel has a strong angle of inclination?
With a strong tilt of the transom (more than 10-15 degrees), conventional straight brackets will not allow the wheels to stand upright, in which case you need to make L-shaped or broken racks that compensate for the angle and bring the axis of the wheels in a vertical plane relative to the ground.