Re: [Paddlewise] Kayak carts

At 08:14 AM 5/17/98 -0500, you wrote:
>     In the October '97 issue of Sea Kayaker magazine, there was a one-page 
>     article by Gilbert Scates on building a "floating kayak truck" --- 
>     although a correction/confusion generator in the December issue 
>     changed the title slightly and the author's name to Stewart Gilbert.  
>     Was wondering if anyone had tried building one?  Seems dirt-simple in 
>     design and execution --- we'd call it a pilot-proof system --- and 
>     definitely cheap enough at $30!
>     
>     Primex makes a beautiful cart, but $100+ seems kind of excessive.
>     
>     Options?  Sea stories?
>     
>     Jack Martin

Joq,

I have been looking at the issue of carts for a while.  I too balked at the
$100+ price of the quality carts but, after some experience, I feel the
price might be worth it if it performs over a variety of terrains, is
relatively light and still fits in my rear hatch.

Christmas shopping last December, I spotted a folding cart for golfers to
use to drag their golf bag around.  I was impressed by the light, wide
track wheels and the manner that they extended when the cart was unfolded.
The wheels extended to about two feet apart.  I bought one for development
but it's still in the box.  

Just after I bought the golf bag cart, I found one in the trash (ah,
victory) and took it home to experiment with.  After repairing the broken
wheel, I tried pulling my boat over some moderately rough ground (my lawn).
 Broke the wheel again (epoxy doesn't stick to everything).  I did learn,
though, that I would prefer a cart that mounted closer to the middle of the
boat then to the stern.

Cart design development moves at a snail's pace here since it enjoys a low
priority, however, if I make any breakthroughs, I'll share them with the list.

BTW, the latest issue of Seakayaker has an advertisement for a cart
available, I think, from Scotland.  I found this design interesting because
it addressed another problem I have.  I load my boat on to Yakima Hully
Rollers on top of a Dodge Caravan.  The rollers can't be located aft enough
to prevent the boat from initially rubbing the back of the vehicle.  I deal
with this now by using an old quilt to protect the van (and boat).  What
the picture of the cart did was give me the idea that the cart could be
fastened to the van such that the wheels cold be used to roll the boat on
its way to the Hully Rollers.  I love multi-purpose gadgets.

Regards,  Bill Leonhardt

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