If you entertain the notion of another DIY option, I have had good success with my dolly I created out of mostly PVC pipe.
You can see the details and download plans here: http://my2fish.wordpress.com/2013/07/17/sunfish-pvc-dolly-plans/
I've since added a handle, also made using PVC pipe.
this is the PVC dolly with my Minifish on it.
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I glued every single PVC joint, so it is all pretty rigid. I don't think I've ever had any of it rotate in any way.What keeps the two bars from collapsing when you put the weight of the boat on them? It looks to me like they would pivot down unless you ran bolts through the pvc and 45 elbow joints. Is that really not necessary? Did you use glue?
Thanks! I bought the stuff to make it last night, although I just realized that the foam tires I bought at Tractor Supply are 5/8's so time for another trip to Lowe's to convert my hardware.I glued every single PVC joint, so it is all pretty rigid. I don't think I've ever had any of it rotate in any way.
Best of luck! I hope it works well for you.
Oh no! That sucks... I think the bailer will still bail water out, but the ball prevents water from flowing back into the boat.
Sorry I led you astray!
Now my bailer plug is broke. Will the plug work to keep the water out of the boat without the ball underneath?
I have two Sunfish with bailers broken like yours.I've eliminated the bailer on my most-used Sunfish today. I bought an $5 adjustable automobile "freeze-plug" of the size 1¼". Although I will reverse its position tomorrow so that the (bigger) adjustment side is inside the cockpit, it fit perfectly!
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Oh no! That sucks... I think the bailer will still bail water out, but the ball prevents water from flowing back into the boat.
Sorry I led you astray!
Thanks for the tip! I will head to autozone tomorrow.
For those who want more "air" on their suspension, Wal-Mart has a Mega Monster Noodle in red, green, or blue with a 6" diameter x 48" length foam Swim Noodle which has a whole lot of flotation. It's $5, but if bought in New Hampshire, there's no state sales tax.1- 4' Swim Noodle from Dollar Store cut in half and slit lengthwise $01.00
PS. One of the biggest reasons I live in NH is NO SALES TAX.
Regarding the 1¼" freeze-plug replacement for the bailer, I stumbled on a plastic knob that screws firmly onto the exposed ¼"x20 threads. The nut that comes with the plug takes a ½" socket, and not the expected 7/16ths. I've forgotten what object the knob came from, but I save interesting hardware from broken items I throw away—like lawnmowers and drafting tables. Sears might have them.
A nylon "acorn nut" would also protect the threaded end.
If you entertain the notion of another DIY option, I have had good success with my dolly I created out of mostly PVC pipe.
You can see the details and download plans here: sunfish PVC dolly plans
I've since added a handle, also made using PVC pipe.
this is the PVC dolly with my Minifish on it.
View attachment 15661
Using a drill by hand, drilling through the axle is no fun; however, a grinder can make a "flat" area to start drilling—graduating from smaller-to-larger drill bits. Drill at a slow speed, and make sure that chips are still flying. An oil drip will keep temperatures under control. I keep used oil around for that purpose.I followed the design almost perfectly except: (I didn't want to drill through the 3/4 inch axle, so I used one nut, locking washer, then another nut, on EACH SIDE of the axle. In order to make room for the extra nut on each side of the axle, I made the axle 17 inches wide instead of 19 inches. It works perfectly – and needs no major tools or skills to make.
Around here, wheels that "sit" start deteriorating and leak air. I've had valve stems fall off tube-type tiresWheels: @ tractor supply 16 bucks per wheel = $32 (worth it – very beefy)