Three feet? I'm thinking something that looks like a large teeter-totter with a nice counter-weight to make the tip effortless, and a winch to make hauling out easy. (Oh, wait. Maybe that's just a trailer with a couple of shop ramps to back up on to.)
Avoid PVC for anything that's going to be out in the sun.
Also, depending on how long the run is, it's usually easier to make a "sled" than a conveyor. A few dolly parts from Harbor Freight, or even a couple of old skateboards running in a track made from 2x6's would do the trick.
Portable Catamaran Ramp
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Posted: Mar 26, 2010 - 12:55 AM
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Posted: Apr 12, 2010 - 09:48 AM
Thanks for all the advice. I've been thinking the simplest solution would be a couple of tracks made from 2x6's would do the trick. I've been concerned about using any type of rollers in order to avoid doing damage to the hulls - too much pressure in a single spot.
Now I'm trying to figure out a pulley system. About 30 feet from the bulkhead I have a foot wide tree (right side of photo). I've been thinking I could use it to attach a winch or something. Now I'm trying to figure out what type of pulley and how to attach it.
Could a block and tackle give me the leverage I need to just get it over the bulkhead? -
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Posted: Apr 13, 2010 - 10:20 AM
I have nearly the same conditions you do, & am rigging a system for my NAcra 5.7.
I would not use the conveyor rollers, they will rust to crap in a few weeks.
I'm thinking of either a small lift designed for a Seadoo, with some wide beams added to the base for stability, or a ramps system. A lightweight marine railway would work well. You leave most of the railway in the water year round. A small cart sits on the tracks, you slde the cat onto the cart, secure with a few straps, then winch the cart up the rails onto the lawn. These systems are very common, sliding larger boats up intoa boathouse. They could be built very lightweight for a beachcat.
As for a winch, don't bother with block/tackle or come along, they are just to slow. Buy a hand winch as used on the trailer of a normal powerboat, yoiu won't need a huge one for the Cat. They are pretty cheap, probably can get a used one for a case of beer at a boatyard that has old junked boats/trailers. That tree is plenty strong.
IF you build ramps from 2 x 6 in a "V" shape, you could "line" the V with some ABS pipe. Find some plastic sewer pipe, 12" diameter, it is usually green, look for some at new construction sites. I got mine for free, the ends had been damaged by a backhoe & couldn't be used. Cut it into 2 U shaped lengths, they cut very easily with a skil saw. The stuff is pretty thick, I have attached it on other projects with screws, countersunk to avoid damage.
The only downside of leaving the cat on shore is it will kill the grass underneath.
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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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Posted: Jul 11, 2010 - 10:06 AM
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Based on my unique situation I found a solution for getting my boat over the bulkhead. I'll post pictures soon. I consists of using rollers with high sides I found at a boat trailer shop, a 4-1 pulley system and my beach wheels. Overall it cost less than $200 and working well.
Now my question is should I be connecting to the dolphin striker of my Nacra 5.2 to pull the boat up over the bulkhead, or will this damage the boat? Is there a better location?
edited by: gregjenx, Jul 11, 2010 - 09:08 AM -
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Posted: Jul 11, 2010 - 10:40 AM
The dolphin striker is designed for vertical loads. I load my boat onto the trailer by connecting the winch to the dolphin striker rod between the mast and the beam.
I have seen rods that were bent forward if pulled on from below the beam.
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