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[font "Verdana"]Hello all,[/font]
[font "Verdana"] [/font]
[font "Verdana"]I did a search, but didn’t come up with much, so I had to ask. What are folks using to transport their pontoons from their autos to the water? I saw a couple wheels. Those look good, but I’m not exactly sure how to make one. Seems the best bet is to rig something up between the foot rests. Any other ideas out there? I’ve been looking at light weight hand trucks on the Internet, hoping a good idea would come to me. It hasn’t. Also looked at canoe & kayak wheels hoping an idea would pop up from those. It didn’t. I seem to be in a creative slump. Plus, I’m not all that handy to begin with. I just want to be able to keep my Fish Cat Cougar set up so I can throw it on the car, take it off at the lake, fill it up and get down to the water fast and easy. Who can show me how to do that? [/font]
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I have always been able to get fairly close to the water that it hasn't been a problem.
There is one lake here that is straight down to water and straight up to parking lot. In that case I use a rope to lower and pull.
A wheel would be nice. I have even considered the TOTES for deer, but then you would have to take it back to the vehicle after use.
So far I just find a soft spot or weeds and pull/drag.
Of course two people make it real nice[laugh]
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I just use a back pack strap like I use for my float tube.
My toon only weighs 21lbs and all the rest of the gear to mount on is another 20 or so lbs. I carry that in a duffle bag which then stores behind the seat when I am out fishing.
I guess the idea of wheels could be nice providing that you will always have a hard terrain to pull it along on.
I fish the lakes and the ocean. Wheels don't do to good on the sand so I ended up with the strap idea from my float tubes.[cool]
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I did just come up with an idea that I will experiment with.
It is possible to make a PVC sled out of some 12" class 300 storm drain pipe. I'm not talking about the corrugated one but the solid flat type.
It is commonly classified as SDR 30. It is soft enough to mold with torch or heat gun and can be drilled easy enough to put some harness holes in it.
Let me see what I can come up with. This could solve my sand problem as well as rocky terrain.[cool]
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the cimmaron only weighs 21 pounds??
MacFly
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Yeah, it would be best if the wheel was rubber and air filled. One of those [url "http://www.wheeleez.com/"]Wheeleez[/url] wheels would be perfect, but they are pricey. A larger spoked tire would work too.
I recently moved and most of the lakes I'd like to hit have paths from the parking lot/road to the water. Some paved some not, but they're all pretty flat. It's the long haul that's the problem. I don't mind leaving the boat to take the carrier back to the car either. I usually have to go back a few times as it is.
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Mine does.
They are normally listed at 45 to 46lbs depending on the website you go to. They sent me an experimental frame that is much lighter.
I weighed each side of the Pontoon at 8lbs each. The frame with seat is only 5lbs.[cool]
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[cool][#0000ff]Recognizing the increasing popularity of tubing and tooning, manufacturers are now making and selling some different wheel options. But, with a little creativity and access to some wheels you can create your own. I posted something on making a single wheel toon transport system a while back.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=258631;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"]LINK TO THREAD[/url][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have also posted pics of some of the different models I have put together for transporting a tube...and most of those will work for a pontoon also...if you make them big enough and strong enough. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One of the things I made was a tube sled...for short hauls over rough rocks...or smooth sand. I also have made small carts from stroller wheels and most recently from some cheap 10" pneumatic tires I got at Harbor Freight.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here are a few pics to see if you can get any ideas.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The one negative thing I have found with the PVC is that you need to use screws to lock the glued connections. The stress of bouncing and twisting can break the connections...and even the PVC if it is not strong enough. Use the heaviest you can find. And, use metal rods for the axles if you rig a two wheel cart like the one I show.[/#0000ff]
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There are some pre-fabs on the market, but some get a little pricie. This first one is not bad as far as price...could be hand made maybe:
http://www.oregonfishing.com/detail.aspx?ID=509
http://www.oregonfishing.com/detail.aspx?ID=172
This one is the whole boat, but if you click enlarge then look to the bottom right, click on that picture, that looks good also.
I thought about the front forks and tire from a small bike. Putting a post on the underside of pontoon the size of the goose neck. I think a larger wheel would be nice for long grass or rocky terrain.
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That Launching Gear one is AWESOME! That would be perfect. There's no way in hell I'm paying that much dough for a wheel though. The Water Skeeter one is reasonably priced, but looks sturdy too. I saw it at [url "http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0036588318951a.shtml"]Cabelas[/url] for cheaper even. I might look at drilling a hole in my frame to make it work; but I don't really want to do that.
First, I'm going to look into a pvc frame. My boat is way heavier than 21lbs. I like your 2 wheeler TubeDude. (Thought about the golf bag cart as well). If I can make a frame long enough for the ends of the toon to sit in, with the wheels on the insides but spaced out, I think that would work. I could hold and "steer" it with the foot rests. The wheels wouldn't need to be very big for this either. So it should be easy to store. Thanks for the inspiration gang!
(I'd still love to hear continued comments though!)
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I'm leaning towards getting a 'toon myself, so if I do end up taking the plunge, I'll for sure put together some sort of wheel system and post it up.
All good info here tho!
_SHig
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Just built a "Cart" for my kayak. The hard part was getting the wheel and axle assembly figured out. Ended up with $6 harbor freight wheels and PVC.
I am not at home now, but I will try to post up a pic of what I did when I get home tomorrow.
It involves using a PVC "L", cap, 1/2" bolt, 1/2" copper pipe bushing and a locknut for the axle.
Probably $20 spent all together and it comes apart small enough to fit in my Kayak hatch.
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[cool][#0000ff]I am always "codgertating" on new ideas for making life easier for us tubers and tooners. One of the thoughts I had recently was making a "hybrid" between a golf cart and my PVC tube cart. If you used a sturdy frame, and good wheels, you should be able to make a WIDE type golf cart that could fold up when not in use...with a handle as long as you needed to lift and steer the toon to and from the water. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I also just completed an experimental model where I made separate wheel attachments for each pontoon end. No attachment between the two pontoons. That was one problem I have had...the PVC connections breaking or coming unglued between the two pontoons.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also, having two separate wheels makes for a lot more stability and less tipping than with a single center wheel. My new system is for my tube. If you want, I can take a picture of the new design and maybe you can figure out a way to incorporate it for a pontoon.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Actually, with the two foot rests on a pontoon, it should be easier to rig two separate wheels than it is for a tube or toon without the foot rests.[/#0000ff]
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Good point on the two wheels over one, I hate wheel barrels. [cool]But I fish lakes that have BOULDERS, like Trial and some lakes with 4' pricklie bushes and tumble weeds, that I think one tall skinny wheel would work better. Granted, two small wider wheels for sandy beaches makes more sense, but I just drag my boat on that[  ] Plastic tarp, boat on top and pull [laugh] then fold up tarp and use for rain protection....you all remember RAIN!?[crazy]
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![[Image: LilTykesWheeler.jpg]](http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/streamer/LilTykesWheeler.jpg)
How about 4 wheels? My grandaughter's "4 wheel drive" plastic wagon goes in the back of the Subaru any time I anticipate moving the fully loaded toon. I can carry the toon unburdened with gear, except for the tackle in the pockets, on my back quite easily. A foam pad attached under the seat and the footrests as handholds actually make my 10 foot toon very easy to portage. It's more comfortable up there on my shoulders than any canoe or kayak I've ever portaged. Mines 75 pounds. 21 pounds is unbelievably light. Tubn2 (of course I do believe you. Like your dad you have given me great support over the years.) can you post a pic of your superlight pontoon. My friend has the Creek Co. backpack model and at 40 pounds I thought it was the winner in the lightweight category.
God Bless,
Don
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The 21 lbs is not the launched weight. That is the bare weight of the frame and toons.
I add a little weight with the gear in the pockets, oars and a Case of beer. Add some more for the rod holders, fish finder and trash bucket for the empties. Finally the rods n reels. It is now a nice 62lbs launching and about 20lbs lighter when I come back to shore with the empies.[cool]
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And this is why you are Pokey-mons hero![cool]
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Yeah, but 21 pounds to start with is pretty sweet. How long are the pontoons.
Gotta share this with you now that were talking wight of pontoon boats. Bass Pro will not ship anything decent in the way of float tubes or "toons" to Canada. So I emailed the Toronto store to ask if they had any pontoon boats in stock and they mailed me a bunch of info on what you really need for all the stuff you want to take with you. I got a full colour brochure of all the pontoon boats they carried........ 20 30 and $40,00 party boats or house boats. Thanks for your help bass Pro.
God Bless,
Don
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Here is a link to where I got my info on the axle assembly and a photo of my set up.
Like TD said, 1 1/4" PVC will come apart on you. I have progressed to hitch pins like the ones on my toon frame to hold the non glued parts together.
[url "http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/articles_view.asp?Kayak_Articles=38"]http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/articles_view.asp?Kayak_Articles=38[/url]
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Very Nice troll. Why couldn't one just make the cage wider for both pontoons like what you have?
That is one of the sweetest designs I have seen!
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