Launch wheels advice

[Cliff]

The time will soon be here for me to fit some of these to my rib. (picking it up soon) It's a job I only want to do once and I want to do it right, I've seen a couple of threads on here, which are a few years old. So from your own experiences and from an up to date perspective, can you recommend the best wheels for different types of launch?...slipway, beach sand/shingle. Is it better to have the wheels long so that the outboard doesn't hit in the down position, and what size wheels are best? I've seen a few variations around the £100 mark. I'm open to suggestions and I know I can rely on you old salts to guide me in the right direction

[kaman]

Not within the 100 quid budget but I'd be putting beach master launch wheels on it!

[Cliff]

Not within the 100 quid budget but I'd be putting beach master launch wheels on it!

I didn't say I had set a budget, just asking for advice, regarding type, is this the type you mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rezFFVvlUu4
At this point in time i'd like to learn from other peoples experience before I start drilling holes in a new boat

[kaman]

Yup. That's the ones.

[Paul B]

That’s one item you don’t scrimp on, not worth the hassle of fitting a cheap set, then they fail and you have to spend more money on a decent set of wheels

[Paul]

As posted before BeachMaster launch wheels http://www.angleseymarinesupplies.com/d ... olleys.php seem to still be doing them for £150
I've had two sets of launch wheels and a dolly from them in the past without issue ....... BUT at that price I'd still make contact and confirm
Those with the Honwave launch wheels problem maybe interested in the 100kg+ ones available

[Paul]

Forgot to add
The BeechMaster above may not be the removable variety and not give you the height to clear your OB skeg whilst returning to a landing if that's what you require
If that's the case then maybe these from the same suppliers may be an option

launch wheels

The longer leg with the bracket mounted low on the transom to give you the required OB clearance
I've had these wheels for 3 years with many outings in the brine and the roller bearings have now failed despite cleaning/greaseing
That said it was easy and cheap to replace the bearings with nylon replacement bushes that still work well
Overall to deploy them in the up/down position is very easy IMO
I think Martin and a few others have them so maybe they'll chime in their thoughts

[Cliff]

Thanks for your input Paul, With that in mind I think it will be sensible to wait until I've got the rib and engine fitted to see the ground clearance. I really like the beachmaster wheels after viewing their website and videos online, in particular the removable wheel option, which is a neat solution, also the wheels are a bit chunkier. They seem to sell direct all over the world, adding on a lump for air freight. I could be wrong, but I think that the ones sold by anglesey marine might not be genuine beachmaster. (I've seen some advertised online which say "beachmaster type" The ad says they are stainless, while the beachmaster site says marine grade aluminium, I'm not sure if that is just the wheels though. More research needed. if anyone has beachmaster wheels, please let me know if there is a uk supplier and if they are stainless frames.

[Paul]

Cliff
As you'll be trailer launching mostly another alternative to launch wheels are 'sausages' ie boat rollers https://www.force4.co.uk/force-4-inflat ... g%20roller&
These are inflatable rollers that are very compact, easy to stow, quick to inflate and use over most terrains.
Donny (The Gurnard) swears by them when using his heavy setup (quicksilver 4.3 M and 25HP plus gear)
Just another alternative to ponder mate .....it's all down to your personal 'needs'

[Cliff]

Hi cliff, I do have the wheels the same as Paul’s.
I bought mine from a place up in Workington. Having fitted the shorter ones as Paul has, I found them to be a little too short on my Frib to allow me to leave the outboard fully down, first notch up the skeg clears the ground - not really as I wanted it.... I then bought the longer versions, they gave me the clearance but the axle stub scuffed onto the outboard top casing on full lock.
I set about with the grinder and cleaned up the poor welds on the longer set (small set was very neat) only to find the wheel stub fell out of the mounting hole.
I’ll get them re-welded at some point and then refit them.

I strongly agree with your last comment, get the boat and outboard, sit the transom on something to lift the Skeg off the ground and take a measurement. I’ll be surprised though If the beach masters give you full clearance you want.

Do keep us posted please. The launch wheel topic is always worth keeping up to date as many ask the questions.

Martin