Tail Wheel

I have a two wheel cart that sticks in my Dagger Board slot to push the boat around. I like to push down on the bow and push the boat down the road to ramps or beaches. I dreamed up this tail wheel to keep from having to set the boat down on rough surfaces, I don't really push the boat on all three wheels, this wheel is for like touch-and-go. I have seen some more elaborate tail wheel set ups, I thought I would show mine.

Just plain cool idea

Very good. I use a shorter bolt to tie a line that holds my newest Sunfish from blowing away during my summer-long absence. Extending it to a tail wheel is genius!

I saw that wheel at Harbor Freight store last night. Now I have to drive back there! They have them in non-swiveling style, which will work better for me—seeing that it's a straight 60' shot from the lake to the lawn for storage. Now to complete the "tricycle gear" idea to add to the front bow handle.

Give that man a "thumbs-up"!

I'd be afraid to put that much of a shear load on the gudgeon. In the picture it appear slightly bent at the bottom and there are spider cracks in the gel coat near the top to either side, but those are maybe not related. Then again, maybe I'm extra gun-shy since I almost had the gudgeon+rudder fall off while out sailing (due to rotting of the wood backing for the screws).

Kevin Mc said:

I'd be afraid to put that much of a shear load on the gudgeon. In the picture it appear slightly bent at the bottom and there are spider cracks in the gel coat near the top to either side, but those are maybe not related. Then again, maybe I'm extra gun-shy since I almost had the gudgeon+rudder fall off while out sailing (due to rotting of the wood backing for the screws).

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BTW: The bolt is going to be 3/8" in diameter—pretty sturdy.

Yes, the stress is "in-shear", but the gudgeon is a very strong piece of stainless steel.

Assuming that one's transom is in good shape, shear-loading would only be tough on the four screws. Before using, I would tighten the four screws to ensure the "in-shear" part. I'm going to use two additional nuts top and bottom, so the gudgeon doesn't have to ever act like a spring. (And don't drop your Sunfish on the wheel).

I don't recommend this set up as a means of transportation. But only to help this old man when walking his boat a half mile to the ramp, and I don't want to set the boat on the fiberglass.

Understood. For seasonal storage, my Sunfish must be dragged up a bumpy lawn (longtime knee-sufferer here so I use a truck). While the wheel would mostly hang in the air, anything to spare a possible "ding" makes this gizmo worthwhile. Think I'll stack a half-dozen lock-washers above that double nut to add some "give". While stored, that bolt makes a strong attachment point for a line, so the Sunfish doesn't blow away!

My local hardware store didn't have that long bolt in the picture, so I bought a $2 threaded rod instead. There'll be enough left over for some other project.

Great idea to keep the hull off the ground. Similarly you could use a block of woos instead if a wheel as that would give the necessary clearness for the hull and also work like a parking brake so the while thing doesn't roll away if you get distracted.

'Checked at Harbor Freight yesterday, but they don't stock any wheels compatible with a 3/8" threaded stock. They do have one stocked with a ~½-inch thread, but it doesn't look like they're SAE threads. Their non-swiveling wheels have a plate for mounting, but no threads, and no place to attach a threaded rod (without welding). So I have to ask, did you get that wheel from a True Value, Home Depot, or Ace Hardware store? (The hardware stores that are near me).

Sprocket said:

Great idea to keep the hull off the ground. Similarly you could use a block of woos instead if a wheel as that would give the necessary clearness for the hull and also work like a parking brake so the while thing doesn't roll away if you get distracted.

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Real men don't use woos.

I got all the parts you see from Home Depot!

Tractor Supply had what I was looking for. (No "caster-action" needed for my application). No hole in the center, so I drilled one.



I'll have to add a large washer at 1 and 3.

The lock washers (2), included to take shocks off the hull, don't keep the wheel at a "proper right angle", so they'll get replaced with a sturdy spring—and another washer.

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