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J. Dillon
03-04-2008, 01:59 PM
Here’s another way I devised to get my new pirogue ready to go
I already had a wooden rack on my truck that is custom fit for my canoe.
With a little refinement I made it good for the pirogue.

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/9373/piroguetiedownshowingwhna3.jpg

Custom Pirogue wheel clamp

First I made a wooden clamp on pair of wheels and axle. A couple of U bolts hold the axle down and a custom pair of grooves in the two portions of the device to fit the inwale and rub rail as shown. One ½" bolt and nut secure the device to the pirogue, Now it can be inverted and wheeled around by the bow to load and un load at the launching site.

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/8145/piroguegettinitup1sn7.jpg

Pirogue ready to lift up

Once in position the bow is lifted to the rollers on my truck rack.
I only have to lift half the pirogue weight plus the wheels

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3379/piroguegettingitupbowoncn0.jpg

pirogue bow on the truck rack rollers

Once up I simply push the pirogue fwd to engage the hinged fingers P&S on the fwd. end of my truck rack. They prevent the pirogue moving fwd or left and right.

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/9427/piroguegettingitupmfwdsjj1.jpg

The hinged fwd. finger can be turned down when I'm using the canoe and allow the outer finger to engage the canoe

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1355/piroguegettingitupontheim2.jpg

Notice the small pins fwd of the wheel. They hold the pirogue in place and are removeable. The string keeps them from getting lost

Aft I engage the two 3/8 X 4" copper pipe pins on either side of the pirogue. These lengths of pipe are removable to permit the pirogue to be slide aft or fwd. One placed in the holes on the rack they keep the movement of the pirogue or canoe aft, left and right just like the fwd fingers.

Now all I have to do is tie the pirogue fore and aft and I’m ready to go.

Once on the launching site I untie, take out the copper pipe pins , slide the pirogue back and lower the wheels to the ground. It will stay there long enough to fo me to go up to move back and lift down the bow . The pirogue is then wheeled to the waters edge inverted ( easy to do IF you keep the wheel base only as wide as needed). The single nut is loosened by the tied on wrench. This loosens up the clamp and the whole assembly can be stored aboard or the truck.;)

JD

boylesboats
03-04-2008, 04:58 PM
That is a great idea JD...

Almost like this http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p182/boylesboats/canoeF.gif

J. Dillon
03-04-2008, 08:53 PM
So Larry once ya get it up ,:D how do you keep it up and on the vehicle. ;)

JD

PS I gotta get bigger wheels.:o

boylesboats
03-05-2008, 12:56 AM
So Larry once ya get it up ,:D how do you keep it up and on the vehicle. ;)

JD

PS I gotta get bigger wheels.:o

Lotsa struggling and a few funny words, ropes and tie downs.. We put pool noodles on my wife's Jeep rack for padding... I manually man-handled it myself, from one side of vehicle I lift it up there and snooked it over toward center of luggage rack.. While SWMBO just merely being a spotter, and helped me guide it on....
Remember my pirogue heavly built around 75 to 80 lbs... I got tired of carrying her 50 or so yards.. Talking about being ain't no mood for paddling afterward...
So, I made something almost like these.. (not my picture).. to tote her to and from the vehicle..
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p182/boylesboats/Fat_Boy_03.gif http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p182/boylesboats/Paddleboy_Large.jpg

Mine is made from back frame of folding metal chair, with pair of 4.00 X 6" wheel barrow tires, with a 5/8" steel bar for axle..

This one here will be my next project
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p182/boylesboats/H-INS-CC100.jpg
centrally balance your pirogue or canoe high off the ground, make it easier to move the craft over rough ground, tall weeds and such..
Basically called "canoe cart" http://www.oakorchardcanoe.com/boatcarts.php

P.S. a set of 12" bicycle wheels (above photo) will be great answer..