Self-transportation of the boat to the place of descent often turns into a test of physical endurance, especially if the coastline is a difficult terrain. transom wheels This is a problem that is solved by turning a heavy PVC boat with an engine installed into a lightweight cart, and making it yourself saves a lot of money and adapts the design to the specific specifications of your vessel.
In this article, we'll look at the nuances of building a reliable mechanism that lasts for more than one season, and learn about choosing the right materials, how to fasten without damaging the transom, and how to adjust the height. A well-designed system will not only make it easier to move, but also not break the fluid dynamics when driving on water.
Inflatable vessels require delicate handling, so homemade should be devoid of sharp edges and potentially dangerous elements. Waterproofness And mounting and corrosion resistance are key factors that we'll take into account when designing assemblies, and the right approach to assembly ensures that the mechanism doesn't fail at a critical moment.
Selection of materials and tools for assembly
The basis of the durability of the design lies in the correct selection of raw materials. Metal elements are subjected to aggressive exposure to salt water, ultraviolet light and mechanical impacts on stones. For racks, AISI 304 stainless steel or anodized aluminum is ideal. Using conventional ferrous metal will require complex painting and constant maintenance, which is not advisable in the operating conditions of the boat.
The wheel pair should be highly patable and not afraid of punctures. Inflatable or cast polyurethane wheels with a diameter of 250 mm will show a better result on sand and pebbles than cheap plastic analogues of small size. Bearings in the hubs should be closed type to exclude the ingress of sand and moisture inside the rotation mechanism.
- 🛠️ Pipe profile or round (stainless steel / aluminum) with a diameter of 20-25 mm for racks.
- ⚙️ Wheels with pneumatic or cast tire (diameter 250-300 mm).
- 🔩 Fastening: bolts, nuts, washers of stainless steel (A2 or A4).
- 🧰 Tool: Bulgarian, drill, keys, measuring tool.
Do not skimp on the diameter of the pipes, choosing thin-walled options. The minimum wall thickness of the metal pipe for racks shall be 2 mmTo support the weight of the boat with the engine and equipment without deformation, the thin metal can bend the first time it hits an obstacle, causing the entire system to break down.
Design features and drawings
There are several mounting schemes, but the most versatile is the rotary system, which is fixed in the transport position, the essence of the design is the presence of L-shaped or T-shaped arms that are hinged to the transom. In the working position, the wheels are lowered downwards, allowing for rolling, and in the transport position they are raised upwards and pressed against the sides or transom without disturbing the rowing.
The key element is the fixation mechanism: simple pin joints are unreliable and can spontaneously disperse from vibration. It is recommended to use spring-loaded locks or bolt clamps with lamb nuts, which allow you to quickly change the position of the levers. Drawing You should take into account the inclination angle of the transcent of your boat, which is usually 10-15 degrees.
The distance between the wheels should be strictly symmetrical with respect to the diametrical plane of the vessel. The skew will cause the boat to move aside during transportation, and the load on one side will increase, which is dangerous for inflatable tubes. When designing, also take into account the dimensions of the outboard motor so that the wheels do not touch lower unit in a sliding state.
Nuances of lever geometry
The length of the vertical part of the lever should be selected so that in the raised position the axis of the wheel is above the cut of the transom by at least 5-7 cm This will eliminate accidental touch of water during movement and splashing of the motor.
Step-by-step instructions for the manufacture of racks
The process begins with cutting the pipes according to your calculations: the standard length of the vertical part is about 40-50 cm, and the horizontal (shoulder) is about 20-25 cm, but these dimensions are individual.
Then you have to organize the vertical and horizontal articulations, and if you don't have argon welding, you can use a bolt connection through a thickened sleeve or flange, and it's important to have a 90 degree angle rigidity, because that's where the sleeve takes the main load on the kink. Angle reinforcement You can use triangular scarves of the same material.
- 📏 Mark the pipes and cut the blanks with a margin of 5 mm.
- 🔨 Form an L-shaped form of levers.
- 🔩 Drill holes for mounting wheels and fixing mechanisms.
- ✨ Treat all surfaces and edges for smoothness.
At the ends of the horizontal shoulders, axles are installed for wheels. The axis should be long enough to keep a gap between the wheel and the pillar. This will prevent the tire from friction against metal when the tire is deformed under load. Use washers on both sides of the wheel to prevent it from beating in the horizontal plane.
☑️ Testing of strut geometry
Installation of boat anchorages
The most important step is to install the response parts on the transom. For PVC boats, you can not drill through the soft transom without strengthening, the optimal solution is to use special linings of textolite, aluminum or durable plastic that distribute the point pressure of the bolts over a large area.
The anchorages should be placed strictly symmetrically, marking by applying the ready-made racks to the transom in the assembled form, use the level to verify the horizontality of the mounting line. transom board It often has a bevel, so the lower holes may be closer to the center than the upper ones, or vice versa, depending on the design.
⚠️ Warning: Before drilling holes, make sure that there are no internal rigidity elements, inflatable tubes or electrical wiring in the drilling site. Use a wooden substrate when drilling to avoid damaging the inner surface of the balloon if the drill goes through.
To fix, use bolts with wide washers and counternuts. The threaded joints must be treated with a thread fixer or use grover washers, since vibration when moving through water can unwind even tight fasteners. It is recommended to put rubber gaskets under the heads of bolts and nuts for tightness.
Use Teflon plumbing tape or silicone sealant when installing the mount bolts, which will create an additional barrier to moisture and prevent corrosion of the thread inside the hole, prolonging the life of the transom.
Comparison of wheel pair types
Wheel selection has a direct impact on patency and usability: Inflatable wheels are great at cushioning bumps, but they are prone to punctures; cast polyurethane wheels are strong but more rigid at transmitting vibration to the frame; plastic versions with soiling are good for dirt, but quickly erase on asphalt.
When choosing a bearing, consider the type of bearing; ball bearings are preferred over sliding sleeves, as they provide easier rolling; however, sleeves are easier to maintain in the field — they are easy to lubricate, whereas the bearing requires replacement when it fails.
| Type of wheel | Permeability | Reliability | Weight. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pneumatic | High. | Medium (puncture risk) | Medium. |
| Cast polyurethane | Medium | High. | Heavy. |
| Plastic with soiling | Low (on the pavement) | High. | Lung |
| With solid rubber | Medium | High. | Heavy. |
For mixed operating conditions (asphalt to the shore + descent on rocks), wheels with solid rubber or high-quality polyurethane will be the best choice, combining sufficient softness of travel and absolute indestructibility. Diameter. In this case, it plays a bigger role than the width of the tire.
Set-up and operation of the mechanism
Once assembled, you need to test on land, check that you can move the wheels from the transport position to the operating position and back, the mechanism should not get jammed, and the locks should snap with a characteristic click, ensuring reliability. If the stroke is tight, lubricate the rubbing surfaces with lithium lubrication.
When operating, remember that inflatable tubes are afraid of sharp objects. Even if the wheels are raised, when the wind or excitement is high, the boat can rock, and the protruding parts of the mechanism can hit the side. Regularly check the condition of the mounts, especially after winter storage, when the plastic and rubber may lose elasticity.
⚠️ Warning: Do not leave the wheels in the water for a long time while parking, this creates additional resistance and can lead to overgrowth of the mechanism with algae, and also increases the risk of hooking on underwater objects at launch.
Caring for homemade transom wheels is simple: after each fishing, wash them with fresh water, especially if operated in salt water. Periodically lubricate axles and bearings. Visual inspection of welds (if any) and pipe folding sites will help identify incipient corrosion or cracks of metal fatigue.
Regular maintenance and proper lubrication of moving parts prolong the service life of homemade transom wheels by 2-3 times, maintaining the ease of their operation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you install transom wheels without drilling the transom?
Yes, there are bracket-mounted models that cover the top of the transom, or inflatable tubes, but for homemade pipe construction, it is safer and safer to use bolt mounts through reinforced pads, because the clamps can shift under load.
What is the maximum weight of the homemade wheels?
When using a 25 mm diameter pipe with a wall thickness of 2 mm and high-quality bearings, the design calmly withstands a motorized boat and equipment with a total weight of up to 300-400 kg. The limit is not the strength of the pipes, but the reliability of attachment to the transom.
Do I need to remove the wheels before getting on the water?
The design should allow the wheels to be lifted upwards, they do not interfere with movement when raised, and they do not need to be removed completely if the locking mechanism in the upper position is reliable and the wheels do not dangle.
Will the wheels from the baby carriage or cart fit?
Theoretically, yes, if their diameter and axle size are right, but the wheels from the carts often have weak bearings and are not designed for lateral loads and salt water, so their lifespan will be much lower than specialized counterparts.