Just curious why you didn't just adjust the bunks instead of spending money on the cradles. I'm just going to add tow straps between my bunks to keep mine from falling between them.
I have a Malone trailer, and I went for PVC pipes instead of the cradles. From what I heard, the cradles will eventually crack. With the PVC, the kayak sits lower in the trailer, and it slides on and off a lot easier, plus PVC pipe is a lot cheaper. I haven’t done the double bungee mod yet, but that’s next. I think you can tie a new knot on the black plug if you want to make your bungee shorter. Those wheels that go into the scrupper holes will eventually crack your hull, plus they are a pain in the neck to get on and off. I went with the C-Tug wheels. Most of the time, there are a bunch of people waiting in line to use the boat ramp. So I just park my truck in the parking lot, slide the kayak half way off the trailer, put the C-Tug wheels on with the strap in the middle of the kayak, and just hand launch the boat by walking it down the ramp. The C-Tug wheels come apart, and I store them in the front compartment. When it comes time to take the boat out of the water, they are easy to put back on the kayak while the kayak is floating. As far as the tramps, I have the older tramps with the wider straps. My tramps are also a lot longer than your tramps. My straps reach just fine since my tramps look to be a couple of inches longer than yours. You may have after market tramps, or they might be made for the newer AI’s.
Never thought about the tramps being aftermarket or for a different Hobie. Thanks. That makes sense. I don’t use the beach cart anymore. Just to much of a pain. The ramps here aren’t that bad where I launch and if it was busy, every ramp has a beach area I can slide it into the water from. I thought about getting better ballon tires but, the cart is just not used much for me, it’ll work in the rare occasion I need it. Thanks for watching bud. I appreciate the support!
I'm just now watching the video (again) but here is a MUST KNOW about flat straps. Put twists in your straps so they don't vibrate in the wind. THE VIBRATING CREATES HEAT AND ACTS LIKE A SAW AND WILL CUT THROUGH YOUR KAYAK Never crank down on a plastic kayak it just needs to be held in place.
Probably would be a good idea. I don’t manually launch it much, I use a boat ramp where I put in. But, it would still be a good idea to have it lower. Might play with it some more, in this video excitement clouded my judgement and I just wanted to get it done I think. 🤣 Thanks for the suggestion and for watching.
The cart wheels are a little hard for me to use. Putting them in at the beach, for example, I have to roll the kayak over. When rolling it back, I feel it puts a lot of stress on the scupper holes. I don’t have the scupper inserts to strengthen them and I am afraid of cracking this older model. I tried to lift it to put the wheel cart under it but had no luck. I just trailer launch it at the boat ramp now. Gets some weird looks but saves my weak back. 🤣 Is there an easier way to get that cart in and out? The posts on the cart are just so long I can’t seem to get it done safely by myself when it’s on the ground. Thanks for the help and advice!
@@FloridaManTV I know what you mean, I slide mine back on the trailer half way then put the wheels on, push it into deep enough water to float the kayak then pull the cart out from underneath. Putting on is just reverse but slightly harder to line up because the wheels want to float. The little peg on the top of the cart leg keeps it in place .if you can get near the slipway the your method is best but I usually have to walk the hobie to get near water. Great videos BTW.
Thanks Gary. I’ll try this when I beach launch this summer. I appreciate the support and for watching the videos. I have lots planned for this old Hobie this year, I hope you enjoy the future content!
Just curious why you didn't just adjust the bunks instead of spending money on the cradles.
I'm just going to add tow straps between my bunks to keep mine from falling between them.
Puts stress on the AKAs and AMAs if they are left to hang. Even if strapped to the main hull.
I have a Malone trailer, and I went for PVC pipes instead of the cradles. From what I heard, the cradles will eventually crack. With the PVC, the kayak sits lower in the trailer, and it slides on and off a lot easier, plus PVC pipe is a lot cheaper. I haven’t done the double bungee mod yet, but that’s next. I think you can tie a new knot on the black plug if you want to make your bungee shorter. Those wheels that go into the scrupper holes will eventually crack your hull, plus they are a pain in the neck to get on and off. I went with the C-Tug wheels. Most of the time, there are a bunch of people waiting in line to use the boat ramp. So I just park my truck in the parking lot, slide the kayak half way off the trailer, put the C-Tug wheels on with the strap in the middle of the kayak, and just hand launch the boat by walking it down the ramp. The C-Tug wheels come apart, and I store them in the front compartment. When it comes time to take the boat out of the water, they are easy to put back on the kayak while the kayak is floating. As far as the tramps, I have the older tramps with the wider straps. My tramps are also a lot longer than your tramps. My straps reach just fine since my tramps look to be a couple of inches longer than yours. You may have after market tramps, or they might be made for the newer AI’s.
Never thought about the tramps being aftermarket or for a different Hobie. Thanks. That makes sense.
I don’t use the beach cart anymore. Just to much of a pain. The ramps here aren’t that bad where I launch and if it was busy, every ramp has a beach area I can slide it into the water from. I thought about getting better ballon tires but, the cart is just not used much for me, it’ll work in the rare occasion I need it. Thanks for watching bud. I appreciate the support!
I'm just now watching the video (again) but here is a MUST KNOW about flat straps.
Put twists in your straps so they don't vibrate in the wind. THE VIBRATING CREATES HEAT AND ACTS LIKE A SAW AND WILL CUT THROUGH YOUR KAYAK
Never crank down on a plastic kayak it just needs to be held in place.
Thank you. Appreciate the tip! 🤘
You could move your spare and lower the bunks. Get the boat lower on the trailer.
Probably would be a good idea. I don’t manually launch it much, I use a boat ramp where I put in. But, it would still be a good idea to have it lower. Might play with it some more, in this video excitement clouded my judgement and I just wanted to get it done I think. 🤣
Thanks for the suggestion and for watching.
If you put the hobie cart wheels on it will roll on the trailer much easier.
The cart wheels are a little hard for me to use. Putting them in at the beach, for example, I have to roll the kayak over. When rolling it back, I feel it puts a lot of stress on the scupper holes. I don’t have the scupper inserts to strengthen them and I am afraid of cracking this older model. I tried to lift it to put the wheel cart under it but had no luck.
I just trailer launch it at the boat ramp now. Gets some weird looks but saves my weak back. 🤣
Is there an easier way to get that cart in and out? The posts on the cart are just so long I can’t seem to get it done safely by myself when it’s on the ground.
Thanks for the help and advice!
@@FloridaManTV I know what you mean, I slide mine back on the trailer half way then put the wheels on, push it into deep enough water to float the kayak then pull the cart out from underneath. Putting on is just reverse but slightly harder to line up because the wheels want to float. The little peg on the top of the cart leg keeps it in place .if you can get near the slipway the your method is best but I usually have to walk the hobie to get near water. Great videos BTW.
Thanks Gary. I’ll try this when I beach launch this summer.
I appreciate the support and for watching the videos. I have lots planned for this old Hobie this year, I hope you enjoy the future content!