Kayak Chariots

[Starvinmarvin]

The C-Tug looks a lot more secure than the Eckla, not a fan of the sit on style of trolley, but we've discussed that before.

 

Simon how secure is it, will it slide if it hits a lump in the ground, it looks as if it has a lot more contact with kayak which is a good thing.

 

Another problem with bought trollies is that they tend to have quite a narrow axle, which can allow them to topple, only had it happen the once when full loaded, but it's not a pretty thing to happen. The C-Tug does look as if it's slightly wider.

 

You may want to race the kayaks around the garden a few times before you answer my questions... hope it's not raining.

 

Got to say though, it does look like a well thought out bit of kit.

 

SM

[Simon Everett]

Sorry, been busy writing up the surf lifeboat thing from Cape Town area. I'll email Speciman a picto put up so you can see the sort of thing we got up to - I even had a chance to helm in the surf. Bloody great fun!

 

Anyway - trollies. The big plastic chariot has approx 3" wider axle width than the Eckla and wider tyres too which helps the stability even more. BUt on top of that, the wheels are set further out on the kayak. The bunks have a soft rubbery paddingon them - the green bit on the picture. I have taken the Scupper and Prowler up and over the curb a couple of times without any movement - and that is with an empty kayak - sorry, i wasn't going load it up in the pouring rain for you lot just to see if it would slide! The extra weight would help stop it moving anyway.

The best thing is where you place it and strap across. It coincides perfectly with the main bulkhead of seat back on the Scupper and across the front of the cargo well on the Prowler - well, you can put it anywhere, but that suits. The bunks sit wider than the keel line - so the weight is transferred further out, less likely to tip.

 

I still don't know how much it weighs though - heavier than the aluminium ones but i would be willing to put up with it. It comes apart so easily that you just take the wheels off and throw it in a bag in the front hatch and forget it for the day. NOne of this strapping it on the stern.

 

Price - I thnk they will retail at £85 - £90 (not firm). It sounds a lot, but I think you will find it is better to pay a bit more in the start and get the right thng, than try and skimp and end up buying stuff twice....! Where, lord alone knows, the stock hasn't arrived yet. My bet would be the usual outlets for things to do with kayaks! Give the reps a chance to get round them though - unless you want to prime your local outlet and get them to order some in. C-Tug, will be imported by Ocean Kayak.

[Starvinmarvin]

Found an email from João Américo in Portugal in my SPAM folder this evening, don't know why it ended up in there, he wasn't selling Viagra.

 

His pictures were of particular interest given the name of this thread. There is also a picture of his anchor system which is very similar to Richi/Darnsarfs, you boys been to Portugal recently. Anyway here is the thread, the pictures are at the bottom of the page:

 

http://www.anglersafloat.co.uk/KayakPictures5.html

 

SM

[darnsarf]

Starvinmarvin I think you have made a mistake. Pretty sure thats not an anchor system. Looks to me as though he moonlights for the trans atlantic cable laying companies.

 

As my 15 year old would say "sweet"

[richi]

Hi Starvin,I think he could anchor in Spanner's Loch Etive with that anchor rig up!Portugal?-I've been to Feltham is it near there?

[Starvinmarvin]

He fishes in around 300 ft when offshore, beats the 30ft I'm usually fishing in.

 

SM

[Yakity - Yak - u.k.]

Hi All.

 

Been looking at the Kermit Kart

The price tag seems a bit excessive for what it is, moulded plastic.

 

From the pics it looks like the bridge/ axel, is very low to the ground, great for stability , but a pain in the butt for dragging a kayak through soft sand / shingle,and rough ground, would create a lot of drag,and proberbly dig in, or plough.

 

I would be very interested in seeing a picture of the kayak sat on the kart, taken from below showing the actual clearence on level ground.

 

The Bunks would possibly benefit from a thicker layer of softish rubber to help take up any slack between the bunks and the kayak hull.

The design would benefit from having adjustable bunks that could be slid up and down to best fit the contours of various Kayaks.

 

Also wonder how the plastic axels and wheel centres would stand up to the wearing effects of wet sand / shingle trapped within when rolling.

 

Appart from that, nice colour.

[Simon Everett]

Er,

The bunks are adjustable.

The wheels are both higher and wider than any of the others I have seen on proprietory trollies, and set further apart.

The axle? plastic, plastic wheel hubs, but the axle is reinforced with a steel(?) bar right through and there are grooves in the running surface to allow sand etc to escape and not sit there grinding away - look at the pic where it is detached.

Expensive? Slightly

Other options? Quite expensive for what they are, bolted together ally tube with no actual cradle to them.

[Yakity - Yak - u.k.]

Hi Simon.

 

 

Stick a pic up of a kayak sitting on the cart,with the picture showing the clearence under the kayak, and the wheel span.

I would be interested in seeing one, would be very helpfull to any potential buyer aswell.

 

Are the Bunkers moveable over say, a three inch range either side, or do they just tilt to accomadate the hull ?

 

Those grooves look like they would be inside the wheel hub, therefore trapping sand rather than letting it out ?

 

What are the diamentions of the cart, hieght, width, wieght ?

 

That picture of the Ekla your using as a comparason, thats the smaller version didnt you say ?

Edited March 11, 2006 by Yakity - Yak - u.k.

[doshkadog]

http://www.hookedonkayaking.co.nz/otheraccess.htm

 

The spec here looks impressive, trying to find a supplier in the UK