New One Man Boat

Second attempt for the boat loader. I elevated the center pulley position by 12 inches but adding more 1"x1" rectangular tubing. I think this stuff is strong enough not to bend, but time will tell. Instead of welding on screw hooks to attach the pulleys, this time I welded on 3/8" hex bolts. I plan to slide the pulleys on the bolts and then secure them with wingnuts. I noticed in my first test failure that the cable was sliding against the middle bed stake slightly. So this time, I moved the position of the first pulley inward by a couple inches.

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I'm hoping that this, plus removing the cables from the tailgate to form a dovetail will work. It changes the angle the winch attacks the boat, adding more upward lift. I plan to wait for the paint to dry and test the loader again either this evening or tomorrow.
 
I can only imagine how this thing will float...
That is the least of my worries. The manufacturer says " The weight capacity for optimal rowing and draft depth performance on this boat is 600 lbs." I'm not close to that with all the equipment and me, even if I take a youngster with me.
 
One positive and a big failure. The good news is that I use a board to test out adding the handle concept to the cart. It worked beautifully. I was easily able to push the cart far enough under the boat to get close to the center of gravity. Wheeling it around was easy beans.

Now for the big failure. I tried out the new loading system.

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What happens is that, even with the elevated lift point for the pulley, the boat simply does not want to slide into the bed of the truck. Instead tightening the winch wants to compress the inflatable chambers.

Clearly the 1"x1"x 1/8" tube was not strong enough:

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Not only is it bowing, the height elevation makes it bend downward as well. This clearly won't work.

So I'm now scratching my head a bit. Clearly an inflatable boat won't pivot and slide into the truck easily. The only thing I can think of at this point is to beef up the supports and replace the hand winch with an ATV winch with a remote. This would allow me to lift the rear of the boat while winching it forward at the same time. It is a bit more stress on the back than I would like but I think it may be the best option.

I tested this theory by having my wife crank the winch while I lifted the rear of the boat. We did not load it completely into the bed because of the stress on the 1"x1" square tubing, but we could have gotten it in that way. This will be a bit more lifting on my back than I would like.
 
That looks like a big boat. I would load it on a trailer.
It is only 10' long and 49" wide. It easily fits between the wheel wells. With my long bed and the tailgate down it should only stick out a foot or so.
I'm considering doing both. I would like to transport it to places where a trailer would be difficult at worst and inconvenient at best. Having said that, it is going to be a real challenge to get a loading system I can handle as I get older. I'm considering a 5x10 utility trailer. I'd probably need to remove the rear gate and add rollers to the rear.

As part of my deliberations over adding a truck bed loading system, I ordered a couple rollers, but haven't figured out how to install them so they are secure but can easily be removed when I'm using the trailer for something else.

One big positive of your idea of using a trailer is that I have multiple vehicles that can tow it. It frees my truck bed for carrying the cart and other stuff as well.

I think I might reverse my approach. Instead of focusing on a truck bed loading system first, I may just go ahead an buy another trailer and focus on a system to load on to that first. That will let me get on the water sooner. I can then see just how difficult it is to get the trailer to some of the more challenging locations and decide if I really need a bed loading system.

Right now, I'm in the process of upgrading from my older Carry-on 10K equipment trailer (which I've been overloading a bit with my JD 35g), to a 16K deckover trailer. I use the trailer for my DK45 as well. The issue with it is not weight as much as the wood RM990 mower which barely fits between the ramps and the wheel wells. I crushed one of the fenders and had to cut it off. Rebuilding it with angle iron was one of my first welding projects. Maybe I can cut a deal if I buy 2 trailers.

You've got me thinking....
 
Thanks for the link. I spent last evening looking at trailering options, everything from a raft trailer to a DIY modification to a Harbor Freight El Cheapo trailer. I slept on it and I'm taking your advice. Unfortunately, overthinking it is my favorite pastime. So...

Here is what I'm looking at now. Rather than a raft trailer, I'm considering a small single axle equipment trailer. I already plan to drive to NC to buy a new deckover 16K trailer for towing equipment. I'm now thinking how convenient it would be for me to have a small trailer that I could use for the occasional towing of my Kubota B2400, ATV, and side by side whose primary purpose was for towing the boat. The same company, Kaufman, makes a single axle 2900 lb GVWR trailer for a little less than the raft trailers. Since I plan to drive to NC to pick up the 22' equipment trailer, I'm thinking I can have them load the little equipment trailer on the big one and make a single trip so there would be no shipping cost for the little trailer. I might even be able to cut a better deal buying 2 trailers from them.

They say the gate is removable. The equipment trailer deck would be about the same height or lower than my cart, so loading should be easy. If necessary, I could rig up something to attach rollers where the gate would be.

I am taking your advice. I'm now in the process of overthinking the details to make sure I size it for all my small equipment. 😁
 
The problem with that idea is what will you do with the boat if you use the trailer for other equipment? Put the boat in the water to empty the trailer? Leave the boat on the ground?

It makes sense to have a dedicated boat trailer if you plan on using the boat frequently.

If you can leave the boat in the water and only need a trailer sporadically then I think the utility trailer makes sense.
 
The problem with that idea is what will you do with the boat if you use the trailer for other equipment? Put the boat in the water to empty the trailer? Leave the boat on the ground?

It makes sense to have a dedicated boat trailer if you plan on using the boat frequently.

If you can leave the boat in the water and only need a trailer sporadically then I think the utility trailer makes sense.
If you look at the picture with the boat leaning on the tail gate, you can see the cart I built under it. There are a number of places that don't have boat ramps. My plan is to offload the boat on to the cart for transport to the water when needed. So, if I need the trailer for another task, I'll simply offload it on to the cart and then put it back on the trailer when I'm done.
 
I called Kaufman Trailers and got quotes on two trailers, a 16000 GVWR Deluxe Flatbed Trailer – 22 ft., and a 12 ft. x 76 in Deluxe Single Axle Utility Trailers – 2990 GVWR. The only options I got on the equipment trailer was the Load G rated 14 ply all steel radials and a spare. I also had them add two D-rings, one in the rear center between the ramps and one in the center on the front. With both stake beds and rub rail, I'll have plenty of side connection locations. On the utility trailer, the only option I added was a spare and rim. II also had them add one D-ring in the front. They only charged a couple bucks for the D-rings. I figured it was better to have them installed before the trailer was factory painted rather than me sanding off paint to weld them on and then painting them again.

I was going to put a deposit on them to start the build this afternoon, but the salesman I was working with was out for the rest of the day.

I spent the rest of the day doing small stuff for the boat. The first thing I did was build a recharging station:

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The 30 amp LiFePo4 charger is on the left side of the board. Some youtube videos I watched said it gets pretty hot. I had some sheet metal laying around, so I figured to be safe, I'd build a heatsink. To the right of that is a 3 amp LiFePo4 charger. That one is for the fish-finder battery. I could have used the same battery as the trolling motor, but you can get some interference in the electronics, so I figured I'd use a separate battery. to the right of that is a general USB charger. I'm using tiny strap on rechargeable lights for running and anchor lights. I also have a small rechargeable LED light for tying on lures in low light or dark situations. There is space for more if needed on this charger. Finally, on the right, is the power-strip. The deluxe model of the utility trailer has square tubing top rails. Once I get the trailer, I'll screw a couple 2x4s into the bottom of the board. This should allow it to sit on the side of the trailer when it is parked.

Next, I worked on the anchor lights:

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I used a T-nut and placed it in the rail. I took a 1/2" CPVC cap and drilled a 1/4" hole in the center, and then one through both sides. I used a sander to slightly reduce the diameter of a piece of 1/2" CPVC so it easily fits into the cap. I then put it in the cap and drill the side holes through it. This allows me to hold the pipe in the cap with a 1/4" pin.

I then inserted a 3/4" - 20 screw through the inside of the cap and then through a 1/4" washer and then a 1/4" fender washer. I put the screw through the rail slot and screwed it into the T-nut. I can use that screw to secure the cap to the rail or remove it. I then inserted the CPVC pipe back into the cap. I don't have a 1/4" pin handy so I used a 1/4" bolt temporarily. The white anchor lights are strapped to the CPVC pipe.

Of course I don't want the pipe sticking up there during daylight. I tried to put it in the dry box under the seat, but it was too long. I decided to store it on the edge of the front deck:

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I took a pair of screw hooks. They were slightly too small for the CPVC, so I put them in a vise and bent them slightly to fit the CPVC pipe. I plan to store the post here when not in use. It is out of the way and pretty secure.

I have the navigation lights but still need to install them on the deck.
 
Anchor lights visible 360 degrees, as required?
I have not tested that yet. They are strap on LED lights. The set came with a red, a green, and two white lights. I'm not sure what angle those LED lights provide. If it 180 degrees I should be fine with two of them. If I find that to be insufficient it is easy enough to buy a couple more. They were inexpensive.
 
I made some progress today. I went ahead and ordered both trailers. I had them do some custom stuff, so the lead time is about 5 weeks. In the meantime, I borrowed my neighbors utility trailer. It is about the same size as the one I ordered. I have a small Harbor Freight portable winch. I power it with a Dewalt Chainsaw battery from a saw that was discontinued. I tied the winch to the back of my pickup which is hooked to the trailer. I dropped the gate and wheeled the cart to the bottom of the gate. This put the boat at a good height relative to the trailer. I then began winching it in. The cart was not strapped to the boat, just sitting on it. The winch actually pulled the cart about 1/2 way up the tail gate. At that point, it fell free as most of the boat weight was one the trailer.

The the temporary winch was able to pull the boat on to the trailer. It strained a bit from the friction, but it did ok.

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I then tried unloading the boat. I put the cart at the base of the tailgate. I was physically able to pull the boat back on to the cart, but it was a pretty good strain on my back.

Next, I removed the tailgate completely. This made things much easier. First, I could take the cart right up to the trailer which puts over 1/2 the boat on the trailer before I began winching. Once again, I was able to winch it on but the little winch strained with the friction from the trailer deck. When I get my trailer, I plan to remove the gate and install rollers for the boat which will make it much easier. I then unloaded the boat again. With the cart right up against the trailer and some 2x4 scrap behind the wheels of the cart, it was much easier on my back to pull the boat off the trailer and get near the ideal balance point on the cart.

Next, I headed out to play pickleball and stopped at harbor freight to pick up a small 2500 lb ATV winch they had on sale. It is a stronger winch than the one I was using. I plan to install it on my trailer when I get it. When I got back, I rigged up a temporary install in the back of my pickup bed. I figured I'd try a temporary solution until I get my trailer with rollers. I cut a 2" diameter piece of schedule 40 pvc pipe into two 5 foot sections. After unloading the boat, I put one section on the rear of the trailer and began winching it in. I found the new winch is having an issue. Some times when I engage it, it just clicks once and does nothing. After a handful of tries, it begins working and winches fine. I'm not sure if the winch has an issue or if the battery I'm using is under powered. When the boat was winched in a ways further, I put the second PVC pipe under the front and continued winching. The boat moved very easily as the PVC rolled under it.

So, tomorrow morning, I plan to try to diagnose the winch. I will connect it to a tractor battery which should have plenty of juice to run it. If I have the same issue, I'll take it back to harbor freight for a replacement. If it runs fine, I'll just get another battery to operate it. The chainsaw battery is sort of a jury-rig anyway. I was just looking for a use for it when Dewalt replaced my chainsaw with a newer model with a different charging and battery system and told me to keep the old one. It works fine with the smaller portable Harbor Freight winch I was using.

If all goes well, I hope to get the boat wet tomorrow!
 
Well, I finally got the boat wet today! I tested the winch with my tractor battery and it works fine. So, I ran out to advanced auto and bought an ATV batter to operate the winch. I got everything ready to go while the battery was charging. I did not realize the sell the AGM batteries dry these days.


Everything worked pretty well. The lake I went to had a ramp, so I did not use the cart. I was able to launch the boat myself with no problem. After I got comfortable with it, I started fishing. I caught a small bass in the first 3 minutes which I thought boded well for the afternoon to come. Not so, it was the only fish I caught today.

The boat performed pretty much as expected. It was slightly front heavy with the two batteries and trolling motor, but not enough to be a problem. When I take the neighbor boy out tomorrow sitting in the back, it should be about right. One thing I noticed was that it has a significant wind profile. The trolling motor was more than enough to handle the 10-15 mph breeze we had today. It will be interesting to see how it performs in windy conditions.

I ran the motor, mostly on speed 1 of 4 most of the afternoon and on 4 for about 15 minutes. I was out for about 5 hours. When I got back, I checked the trolling motor battery and it was still 90% charged. I don't think I'll need to worry about running out of battery. I just got started playing with the Humminbird. It is the first time I've used DI and I'm still getting used to reading it.
 
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