Wheel in the Keel
 

Some have asked me how the Wheel in the Keel system on the FeelFree Moken 14 is working out.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...psac0f2a7b.jpg
Well I have been purposely trying to use the Kayak in all the ways that would require wheels to be used. My findings are that the wheel has it's benefits and also lack there of.

Moving the Kayak around the yard, garage, and at the launch areas it works outstanding. Yesterday I loaded everything up and launched at Tidelands. I wheeled the kayak, loaded and ready, to the beach with very little effort and launched. No cart to take back to the car, or dismantle and put away.

When I landed back on the beach it wheeled up out of the water fine. However once the wheel gets packed with sand it can be a little tough to pull through the sand. Once you are out of the sand it wheels perfectly again. I have found that when the Kayak is loaded it's easier to push the Kayak rather than pull it.

I'm still working out all the kinks and tricks on using this wheel in the keel, but that's all part of the fun. More time with the Kayak means more time on the water.

Thanks for reading.

Isnt it hard to load it on top of the car with the wheel in the back?

Nope, it actually makes it easier. The wheel helps the boat roll up and down.
I built a Kayak loading setup to protect the rear window wiper on my car but this helps load the Kayak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeorK...ature=youtu.be
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ps59df3a4f.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ps3900cae6.jpg
As you can see in the above videos the Kayak is loaded nicely.

Awesome loader you built. Didnyou get the suctio cups fro harbor freight?

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I'm going to make a guess that the wheels aren't intended to replace a cart but rather to protect the keel when being dragged. With only a wheel on the center you're almost guaranteed to roll over when loaded up.

The suction cups were from Harbor freight. I watched a few Youtube videos and tried to duplicate some models but they weren't working for me. The Moken 14 is heavier than some Kayaks out there so I used the strength of he PVC rather than stress it. I've tested it a few times and the system works very well.

I think the idea of the wheel was nice and I think your idea is on point. The wheel is nice moving it around, but for major moving through sand and all that I recommend using a cart. What I noticed yesterday was after moving the Kayak to the beach without my cart, my arms were tired more so than if I had used my cart. I will still continue to use my cart to make life easier.