A new set of wheels

Saturday 2nd June 2012

Lightweight transportation

With the forthcoming Irish Sea Crossing ahead, I've been trying to get all the logistics sorted as best I can.
I've been keeping my eyes open for some lightweight wheels suitable for making a super-light kayak trolley to use when boarding the ferry at the begining or end of the crossing. I found some last week on a scrap Thomas the Tank engine scooter!
My design breif (to myself) was: to produce an occasional use, lightweight (around 1.5Kg) compact trolley that doesn't move around when in use.

After some sketching and thought, I picked up some bits of 4mm mild steel rod and locked myself in the workshop with the grinder and welder.

Here's the result:
I formed the 4mm rod to roughly follow the hull on my kayak.

Just need to pick up some 'R' clips to hold the wheels in position.

It fits easily in the front or rear hatch on my boat, and even better it weighs only 760grams!

I havn't gone far with it, but its positioning is rock solid as I designed it to sit where the first set of deck cleats are. It's light and compact size means I can pick the kayak up easily with it still attached - bonus!

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