Descent of inflatable boats on the water often turns into a real test of physical strength, especially if the shore is gentle, rocky or just long. PVC boat trolley In this situation, it becomes not just an accessory, but a vital tool to keep the owner's back and nerves healthy, and modern models allow one person to take the boat from the car to the water and back without assistance, minimizing the risk of damage to the hull on stones or sharp branches.
When choosing or manufacturing such a device, you need to consider many nuances, from the weight of the outboard motor to the features of the ground on your favorite fishing. boat He will be sliding down from the ground, and he will conveyor Getting stuck in sand or dirt, and in this article, we'll go into detail about all the aspects of making your gear work like a watch.
It is worth noting that the market offers both ready-made factory solutions and many options for self-assembly. Transportation of the boat It requires a solid fixation, so the savings in quality can come out sideways on the descent, so let's figure out what to look for first.
Criteria for the choice of a reliable design
The first thing that an experienced fisherman looks at is loading capacity It must be able to withstand the combined weight of the inflatable cylinder, the hard floor (floorboards or stringers) and, critically, the outboard motor. Often manufacturers specify the weight only for the body, forgetting that the motor can weigh from 20 to 60 kg, which puts additional stress on the rear of the structure.
The second key parameter is the fabrication material of the frame. D16TThey're lightweight and non-rust, but they're less durable on the kink when they hit rocks. Steel structures, especially those with hot galvanizing, are heavier, but they provide monolithic and durability. Profile tube The square section is considered the gold standard for homemade and factory carts due to its rigidity.
⚠️ WARNING: If you plan to store a cart outside or in an unheated garage, avoid conventional black steel designs without a quality corrosion-resistant coating - rust will eat the metal in two seasons.
The third aspect is the type of wheels. For sandy beaches and soft ground, wide ranges are needed. pneumowheel It's a low-pressure, low-pressure, non-failing, rocky shores and asphalt, and it's better for polyurethane alloy wheels that can't be pierced, but they're more likely to transmit vibration to the boat hull.
Design features and types of supports
The main purpose of the support system is to evenly distribute the weight of the vessel and prevent it from shifting when moving. Factory models often use height adjustable brackets with soft rubber or foamed material linings. laying-piece under the keel of any shape, whether it is a flat-bottom or a boat with a deep cockpit.
There are V-frame models with a keel down, and flat-platform models, the first one being more versatile for different types of bottom, the second one being ideal for hard-bottomed boats that don't like point loads. Motor locking It also varies from simple stops to complex mechanisms with belts covering the dead-will.
- 🚤 Adjustable in width of the side allows you to transport boats of different widths without changing the geometry of the frame.
- ⚓ The presence of a breather for coupling with the car porch turns the cart into a full-fledged trailer for long trips.
- 🔧 The folding design greatly simplifies storage and transportation of the device in the trunk of a passenger car.
We have to pay special attention to the tilt mechanism. conveyor They have a hinge that allows you to tilt the frame with the boat for easy removal of the engine or launch into the water without removing the vessel from the supports, which significantly saves time and effort.
The Secret to Sustainability
Why don't some trolleys roll over? It's a low center of gravity. The wider the wheel track and the lower the frame is relative to the axis of rotation of the wheels, the more stable the design is when side rolls are on irregularities.
Self-manufacture: drawings and materials
Creation hand-carts It is a popular solution for those who want to get the perfect tool for their specific needs and budget. The main material is a profile pipe 20x20 or 25x25 mm with a wall of 2 mm. This profile is easy to weld, has sufficient strength and is available in any construction store.
First, you need to determine the size of your PVCThe frame length must be 10-15 cm shorter than the length of the inflated boat so that the nose and stern have supports but do not hang in the air, and the width is chosen based on the distance between the cylinders in the widest part to ensure stability.
☑️ What to buy for assembly
Welding is better done in a carbon dioxide environment or using high-quality electrodes to ensure a strong seam. After welding, be sure to clean all the seams with a Bulgarian and cover the metal with a primer over rust. Axis of wheels It is better to make removable or adjustable so that you can change the track depending on the descent conditions.
| Parameter | Lightweight option (up to 100 kg) | Heavy variant (up to 250 kg) | Universal. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame profile | 20x20 mm | 30x30 mm or 40x20 mm | 25x25 mm |
| Wheels. | 3.00-4 (cast) | 4.00-6 (pneumo) | 3.50-5 (pneumo) |
| Structure weight | 8-10 kg | 15-18 kg | 12 kg |
| Cost | Low. | Medium/High | Medium |
Don’t forget to provide the seating for the belts. Flying belts With a ratchet mechanism, you can securely lock the boat and the motor, eliminating their displacement even in sudden jerks. Use stainless steel carbines or galvanizing carbines to avoid corrosion.
Installation and fastening of the outboard motor
The most important thing is to ensure security outboardWhen transported on a trolley, the screws and the die-fork are subjected to vibrations and impacts. Simply lowering the motor into a transport position is often not enough, additional fixation is required.
The ideal solution is to use a special bracket or stop, which takes over the weight of the motor, removing the load from the transom of the boat. If this stop is not, the motor must be firmly attracted by the belts to the frame of the trolley. Tranza should not experience torque, otherwise it is possible to chip the helcoat (on plastic boats) or deformation of plywood.
- 🔩 Use soft pads between the metal parts of the cart and the motor body to avoid scratches.
- 🌊 Before installing the motor, make sure that the trolley is on a flat surface to avoid distortion.
- 🛡️ Check the tightening of all bolt connections before each departure - vibration has the property of unwinding the fastener.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave the motor in a lowered position during prolonged parking or storage - this can lead to deformation of the die-will and water entering the gearbox through the glands.
For twin-engine bundles or heavy four-strokes weighing more than 50 kg, it is recommended to use reinforced versions of trolleys with an additional central support under the die-vill. This will prevent the frame from deflecting and ensure stability when driving on irregularities.
Tip: Lubricate threaded connections with a thread fixer (anaerobic sealant) so that the vibration during transportation does not weaken the motor fastenings.
Exploitation in difficult environments
Using a sand cart requires a special approach. pneumatic The atmosphere should be reduced to 0.8-1.0 to increase the area of the contact spot, which will prevent the trolley from being buried and make it easy to roll the boat out of even loose dune sand.
On rocky shores, the main danger is a puncture of the camera or damage to the side of the boat, where all-wheeled wheels and careful maneuvering come to the rescue. Boat cart You have to travel a path free of sharp objects, so sometimes you have to clear the path manually.
Winter operation is possible, but requires careful preparation. Metal in the cold becomes brittle, and the lubrication in the bearings of the wheels thickens, it is recommended to use frost-resistant lubricants and check the condition of rubber, which can crack in the extreme cold.
If you change locations frequently, consider towing the cart behind the car, and you need to equip it with lighting devices (for this purpose).corners, stop light, dimensions) and a license plate if required by your country's traffic regulations, otherwise only by hand towing.
The main secret of long-term service of the trolley is regular washing with fresh water after each exit to salt water or in muddy ponds to prevent corrosion and jamming of moving parts.
Carrier care and maintenance
Regular maintenance will prolong the life of your equipment, after each season, you must check the condition of the welds and paint coating, the appearance of chipped paint is a signal for immediate repair, otherwise corrosion It will quickly spread inside the profile.
Wheel bearings require periodic lubrication. If the wheels start to creak or rotate tightly, they should be removed, washed from old lubrication and dirt, and laid a new one. For aggressive environments (sea water), it is better to use closed bearings. 2RS.
- 🧼 Wash the cart with fresh water after use in the sea to wash off the salt.
- 🔧 Once a year, pull out all bolt joints, as they tend to weaken.
- 🎨 Paint the scratches on the metal with special enamel to prevent rust.
It is better to store the device in a dry room, hanging by the frame or placing it vertically so that the wheels do not deform under the weight of the structure. cock-cart They will serve for decades, becoming a reliable assistant in every campaign.
Can I use a hard bottom boat cart (HDB)?
Yes, you can, but you need to make sure that the trolley supports have sufficient contact area and soft skin, so as not to damage the rigid elements of the floor.
What is the maximum weight of a standard homemade cart?
When using a 25x25 mm profile and high-quality welding, the homemade design easily withstands 200-250 kg of distributed load, which is enough for a boat up to 4 meters long with a motor and equipment.
Do I need to register a boat trolley in GIMS?
The trolley itself (as a trailer without an engine) is not subject to registration if its total mass does not exceed 750 kg. However, if you equip it with lighting devices for driving on public roads, the requirements may vary depending on the region.
How to replace the pneumowheels, if they are constantly piercing?
An excellent alternative is the foamed polyurethane (cast) wheels, which are not afraid of punctures, withstand heavy loads, but have slightly worse through deep sand than the wide pneumatic counterparts.