Removable wheels
Our discussion a month or two ago about removable wheels inspired the
following contraption that mounts into the daggerboard slot of the
boat. (With special thanks to Bruce Simonson, whose Weekend Skiff
featured something like this.)
I've posted a photo to the Files:
http://www.egroups.com/files/bolger/Removable+Wheels/wheels1.jpg
and, to save space in Files, I've made a separate web page that
includes more photos:
http://www.breakawaybooks.com/Removable_Wheels.htm
It's basically an old lawnmower's front wheels and axle, with a 2X4
attached along the axle by U-nails.
On top of the 2X4 are two side-by-side stacks of wooden blocks (with
a 3/4" slot left between them), to raise the platform up above the
level of the wheels. The platform is just a couple of 1X4 scraps
about 10 inches long. The weight of the boat on this platform
prevents it from rocking forward or back.
The removable "dagger" blade -- a scrap of 3/4" plywood cut to the
form of the daggerboard of the boat itself -- slips down into the
slot between the two stacks of wooden blocks (and is mounted up into
the daggerboard slot of the boat) and thus prevents the boat from
rocking side to side. It's notched where it meets the 2X4 crosspiece
that rests on the axle, so it won't slide forward or back.
If I had to do it over, I'd replace the stacks of wooden blocks with
a box-type construction of 1X4s or plywood. It would be lighter and
stiffer.
I had to make the blade removable, or it wouldn't all fit into my
boat's hatch -- but I have not yet experimented with just how short
the blade can be. It may function properly with just a couple of
inches protruding into the daggerboard slot, in which case it could
be permanently attached, thus making it stronger and less fiddly.
Anyway, it works just fine across our rocky, bumpy lawn -- and I've
used it once in the outside world, to get the boat a few hundred
yards down to a lake -- then I stowed it, sailed, etc. All as it
should be.
I wish I lived four or five blocks from the sea -- the pleasure of
strolling my boat throughthe streets and down to the water would be
awesome. Maybe I'll just have to drive to some spot four or five
blocks from the sea, park, and walk it in from there . . . ;-)
All best,
Garth
following contraption that mounts into the daggerboard slot of the
boat. (With special thanks to Bruce Simonson, whose Weekend Skiff
featured something like this.)
I've posted a photo to the Files:
http://www.egroups.com/files/bolger/Removable+Wheels/wheels1.jpg
and, to save space in Files, I've made a separate web page that
includes more photos:
http://www.breakawaybooks.com/Removable_Wheels.htm
It's basically an old lawnmower's front wheels and axle, with a 2X4
attached along the axle by U-nails.
On top of the 2X4 are two side-by-side stacks of wooden blocks (with
a 3/4" slot left between them), to raise the platform up above the
level of the wheels. The platform is just a couple of 1X4 scraps
about 10 inches long. The weight of the boat on this platform
prevents it from rocking forward or back.
The removable "dagger" blade -- a scrap of 3/4" plywood cut to the
form of the daggerboard of the boat itself -- slips down into the
slot between the two stacks of wooden blocks (and is mounted up into
the daggerboard slot of the boat) and thus prevents the boat from
rocking side to side. It's notched where it meets the 2X4 crosspiece
that rests on the axle, so it won't slide forward or back.
If I had to do it over, I'd replace the stacks of wooden blocks with
a box-type construction of 1X4s or plywood. It would be lighter and
stiffer.
I had to make the blade removable, or it wouldn't all fit into my
boat's hatch -- but I have not yet experimented with just how short
the blade can be. It may function properly with just a couple of
inches protruding into the daggerboard slot, in which case it could
be permanently attached, thus making it stronger and less fiddly.
Anyway, it works just fine across our rocky, bumpy lawn -- and I've
used it once in the outside world, to get the boat a few hundred
yards down to a lake -- then I stowed it, sailed, etc. All as it
should be.
I wish I lived four or five blocks from the sea -- the pleasure of
strolling my boat throughthe streets and down to the water would be
awesome. Maybe I'll just have to drive to some spot four or five
blocks from the sea, park, and walk it in from there . . . ;-)
All best,
Garth