Re: [Paddlewise] bicycle trailer design

----- Original Message -----
From: "r paul gordon" <rpaulgordon_at_earthlink.net>
> I'm trying to come up with a simple design for a trailer to tow my kayak
> with my bicycle.  Instead of building a trailer with a tongue, I would
> like to have an attachment point at the bow of my boat.  I just need to
> figure out how to attach the bow of my kayak to the rear of my bike.

I think you would find that any attachment directly of the bow to the rear
of your bike would have the unhappy consequence of lifting the bow too high
and driving the stern of the kayak into the ground.  With such a direct
attachment you would have to place the trailer wheels almost at the stern to
avoid this.  This puts almost all of the kayak's weight right at the rear of
the bike, which may not be desireable.  Also could affect turning.

BTW, Nautiraid, the folding kayak company, makes 3 sizes of fiberglass
kayaks, all of which have wheels attached at the very stern.  I think the
wheels are meant for trailering the kayak; they are quite big.  You may want
to query the company regarding that as they may have some ideas on
trailering since they are providing wheels.  The boats are at
http://www.nautiraid.com/rigides/rigides-en.htm.  I have never seen one and
am curious as to whether the wheels are permanently attached or not.

The fellow who runs the company is Phillippe Guyot and there is a link on
the webpage for emailing him.  He is fluent in English.  While he travels a
lot, he will respond to email.

best,

ralph diaz

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