I was given a set of old cat trax that I hope to repair. My boat came with a homemade dock wheel setup and I was really excited to get a free cat trax with inflatable tires, bearings, and cradles. They look just like these but with cradles.
https://us.letgo.com/en/i…7-48eb-82a3-fef7cbbe2f7b
They have ball needle fill points and the one wheel I tried would not take any air. My bike pump physically could not push air in. Can you put tubes in these? Can the axle be refit with modern hubs and wheels? I see very little info on the web. Thanks.
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FYC, Nacra 5.2 "Chris's Flyer" & Nacra Playcat & Farrier Tramp
Previously owned: Trac 14, H14, H16, H18, N5.0, G-cat 5.0
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Antique Cat Trax
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Posted: Jul 26, 2019 - 09:41 AM
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Posted: Jul 26, 2019 - 09:50 AM
You could probably put inner tubes in those. However if you look at what the wheels and hubs cost, they are $340 for the pair plus shipping: https://www.murrays.com/product/13-1401-1/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwyerpBRD9ARIsAH-ITn_jtc8tLc5Kl_7IdJ_T2Scp91aCiLMJaKdVuJRXeg6CmbAO4Gqb7KwaAu8sEALw_wcB
Basically you are getting an anodized aluminum axle, may still be worth it as they cost a bundle to ship due to length. I would check with Cat Trax on that front, they are super helpful on the phone! -
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Posted: Jul 26, 2019 - 10:06 AM
how bout you spend $50 bucks and buy that used set and add your cradles ? -
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Posted: Jul 26, 2019 - 11:16 AM
Those are the early wheels and are molded to the rim. You can't put tubes in them. If you are unable to pump air into one it might be the needle that you are using. Regular ball needles are a bit short sometimes and won't go in far enough. Look for needles that are slightly longer and you will most likely be all set. I have run into this with my old set of wheels. These tires are also prone to dry rot.
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Pete Knapp
Schodack landing,NY
Goodall Viper,AHPC Viper,Nacra I20
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Posted: Jul 26, 2019 - 11:58 AM
You can buy all the parts direct from Florida Sailcraft, but as Sam mentioned, the tire/rim combo is pricey. You can buy the tires, (Nanco), I think even at Wally World on sale, for about $25 ea. However, I don’t know anywhere to buy the rims separately. The rest of the parts are pretty cheap, but I think the 4 nylon, 4 SS, & bearings you already have?
https://floridasailcraft.…egory/parts-accessories/
The bearings are very easy to make, McMaster Carr will sell rods of the material, cut with a jigsaw. FS used to sell them, for $32 IIRC, but i don’t see them now. Here is Cat Trax dissected,
https://www.thebeachcats.…ictures?g2_itemId=119871
Here is what FS says about the old style,
https://floridasailcraft.com/catamaran-faqs/
Edited by Edchris177 on Jul 26, 2019 - 12:05 PM.
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Hobie 18 Magnum
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Posted: Jul 26, 2019 - 12:50 PM
I see the plastic eurotrax wheels are available separately but I only see them from suppliers in Europe. I had a set for my Tornado and really liked them.
http://www.kmnautisme.com…or-8-balloon-wheels.html
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Pete Knapp
Schodack landing,NY
Goodall Viper,AHPC Viper,Nacra I20
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Posted: Jul 29, 2019 - 09:30 AM
Thanks everyone. I was able to use a straw from a spray can of silicone to put air in the tires. One has some water in it, they both leak at dry rot cracks, but they don't leak the water inside... I love how the tires are $44ea. and the rims are $94ea ($138 per wheel). I would bet it is well worth the money to buy ones assembled from cat trax for $169ea. At $338 I could buy a used cat trax. I am going to attempt to shoot some fix-a-flat in the tires through a new hole. The tires are stiff enough as-is to hold my weight (150lbs) over each wheel.
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FYC, Nacra 5.2 "Chris's Flyer" & Nacra Playcat & Farrier Tramp
Previously owned: Trac 14, H14, H16, H18, N5.0, G-cat 5.0
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Posted: Jul 29, 2019 - 09:36 AM
fill em with concrete
- they will never go flat!
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Posted: Jul 29, 2019 - 09:44 AM
I think that you will find slime works better than fix a flat. If they are badly dry rotted it probably won't work. I got by for a while on my old wheels by putting tire plugs into the side walls where they were leaking.
Where did you find the rims for $94? I have not seen them listed separately anywhere.
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Pete Knapp
Schodack landing,NY
Goodall Viper,AHPC Viper,Nacra I20
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Posted: Jul 29, 2019 - 08:44 PM
$94 was for the eurotrax. In hindsight this probably won't work on cat Trax.
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FYC, Nacra 5.2 "Chris's Flyer" & Nacra Playcat & Farrier Tramp
Previously owned: Trac 14, H14, H16, H18, N5.0, G-cat 5.0
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