Hobie Cat Forums

Some of my favourite camping spots are really close (200-500m) to a launching site, but I have found a fully laden TI to be a killer on my back. So, I designed a simple jockey wheel that I sit under the mast step. This allows me to easily pull the TI to the launching site without straining my back. Yes it's only suitable for hard surfaces (or firm sand).

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Rob,


2011 Hobie TI

You people on this forum never cease to amaze me with the innovations and mods you invent for the Hobie lines.

I like this idea, good job !!

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Very nice!

Now you need to create a parking break, or don't forget to NOT let go of it on a ramp!

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

Hi KayakingBob,

You're so right about not letting go! Thankfully most of the ramps I use have a fairly gentle slope otherwise I couldn't pull the TI up the ramp after a long sail! (Hmm, but what will I do if I do find a steep ramp?) Electric winch???

Somewhere in the distant past I do remember saying to my wife that I wouldn't need to spend any money on the TI after purchasing it, but adding mods is just so much fun!

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Rob,


2011 Hobie TI

Nice landing gear Rob!

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

Nic
That is excellent!!
I will show this to my mate who came up with something similar a year or so ago using a trailer jockey wheel. He is not entirely happy with it because the bearings are failing due to salt water submersion.
Your approach looks like it may solve this issue.
I also think your solution is MUCH more practical & economical than the huge Hobie TI Dolly Cart that I have.
The TI is a real hernia creator without something more than a scupper cart!
Particularly in sand!
I originally ordered the heavy duty foam filled wheels and cart. However i am reluctant to use it because it s only joined together by silver solder little wonder that these carts have fallen apart! The other issue of concern is the enormous stress on the scupper holes using this type of cart with a fully assembled and loaded TI, dragging it across sand or mud :
Great work - thanks for sharing. Make sure you contact me ( & the local " gang" if you ever come over to our pond and we'll look after you and share lur local knowledge

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Mickey
2011 AI Golden Papaya
2011 TI Golden Papaya

Very nice work Rob!
It would certainly make wheeling the TI when the cart is in the rear scuppers a lot easier.
You know maybe you could name your TI the "Reliant" or "Robin"!



Mickey are you sure it's just silver solder?
I've had 3 Trax carts and they've all been welded stainless. Mind you the welds are pretty poor and have needed re-welding over time.

Great mod Rod.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

That is really a slick mod !!! Nice Job.

Looks like it's something that might work well during the 40 mile portage in the Watertribe UFC.

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Jim

Stringy - i don't profess to be an expert on this, but one of my mates was a car motor body builder (made hearses & stretch limos) & has 2 AIs. He told me that's all it is I am only referring to the HD cart with the foam filled tyres. It looks much worse than the other carts as it clearly has just a few spot soldered joints..

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Mickey
2011 AI Golden Papaya
2011 TI Golden Papaya

Our dealer is South Australia has the carts fully MIG/TIG welded with stainless rod before selling. Im sure that is from experience.
Just a pity I put holes in the scuppers and had to weld them closed.
Anyone in SA looking for a Hobie cart with foam filled tyres?

This is EXACTLY what I need!

I find the A.I. a killer to haul the 400m from the beach to my house (350m of that is on firm dirt and sealed roads), so I can only imagine that a fully rigged T.I. would be a nightmare.

I'm off to Bunnings tomorrow to hunt down some suitable parts!

Any pointers or info on the materials and methods used would be great

Thanks for the inspiration!

Mike.

Hi Mike,

I purchased the wheel from a specialist wheel supplier in Adelaide. However, upon further research, I think the wheel was initially intended for a wheelchair. I'm not sure if the wheel bearings are stainless steel, hence I have limited saltwater immersion.

I have also added extra lateral bracing to my original design as I found the hull supports not strong enough. Apart from the wheel, all materials can be obtained from a hardware store.

Rob.

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Rob,


2011 Hobie TI

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the info - don't suppose you can tell me the make/model of the wheel?

Also, I can see that you've attached some sort of heavy-duty carpeting to the supports - is that attached via pop-rivets?

Cheers,

Mike.

Hi Mike,

Unfortunately the castor does not have any branding, but it appears to be cast aluminium. The tyre itself is a pneumatic tyre 200mm * 50mm, by Cheng Shin. Fits standard rim 27.5 * 93mm.

I scanned the catalogue from the company that I purchased the wheel & castor from, but they don't appear to be selling it anymore.

The carpet is an off-cut of marine carpet & was glued on using Marine Black Silicon. (However, any fine carpet will do.) The webbing was riveted on, then the carpet glued over the top. I also sealed all joints with the silicon to help reduce the chance of corrosion between the joints. (Note: Do not use Clear 'household' silicon on aluminium as it is corrosive).

I hope this helps.

Rob.

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Rob,


2011 Hobie TI