Kayak Cart for Rough Terrain?

REI has them and currently members have a $20.00coupon for purchase over $50.   https://www.rei.com/product/815324/paddleboy-designs-atc-boat-cart

It's funny I just read through this thread and what strikes me is "different strokes for different folks."

I've read all about how PVC carts fall apart; the one I use on my Tarpon is fine. I've read all about Hobie's weak welds, but all 3 of my Hobie branded plug-in carts have shown no signs of failure, and believe me, short of a PA my Oasis loaded with all the gear, seats, and drives for two people for a day is about as  heavy as anything that floats.

The type of cart that works best for someone depends on what type of stuff they do and how they use the cart. For example, I put my cart in my boat while it's still floating 90% of the time. That means the extra-large sand wheels really sucked for me, because they like to float and made it really difficult to get in the scuppers on the Oasis. I switched to the "heavy duty" cart and was much happier. It drags a bit in the sand, but honestly overall it really isn't any harder to pull over the sand than the extra large sand wheels were on the Oasis.

I think the best thing to do is get something that makes sense, try it out for a while, and then change it up if necessary. You can usually get back a reasonable amount of your purchase price if stuff isn't beat up, so it doesn't have to be a total loss.

It's a Seattle Sports all-terrain center cart, about $135 new.  Cabelas makes a similar cart for about half the price, but I haven't seen one in person.

Thank you, Pete.

The bushings are nothing more than 3/4" Sched 40 PVC to neck down and accept the 3/4" solid aluminum axle. The bushings are not glued in, rather I have a small stainless grub screw holding them in place. This way I can easily replace them when they get worn sloppy. So far everything is holding up just fine.

Also, since these pictures, I took a tennis ball and cut it in half, and drilled holes in the center of each half. Then slid these down on the two vertical bits that go into the scupper holes. It gives the hull some cushion around the scupper holes.

Got it.  Thank you.

It's funny I just read through this thread and what strikes me is "different strokes for different folks."
...

I think the best thing to do is get something that makes sense, try it out for a while, and then change it up if necessary. You can usually get back a reasonable amount of your purchase price if stuff isn't beat up, so it doesn't have to be a total loss.

I try to keep "different strokes" in mind, Cap'n.  Nothing suits or pleases everyone, but it helps to hear NWKA members - the folks who really put products to the test - tell me about their first-hand experience.

Just like yours, and thank you for that.

But about this "buy it, try it, and pass it on" thing - I'm close to running out of room in the garage for stuff I bought and tried but didn't get around to passing on...  but pack-ratitis is my problem, not a flaw in your advice.   

Thanks, Dan E.  That's definitely the cart Mojo and pmmpete were talking about.

C-Tug......I love mine might get a little difficult on the rocks but the tires won't go flat and it breaks down to fit in the hull.

I'll second the C-Tug for rough terrain.   The only qualm is I'm still working out a way to keep the strap that wraps over the top of the kayak from sliding on the Outback.   On the Big Tuna the paddle notch is a perfect place.

I use a similar homemade cart and have pvc rod holder extensions in the rear hobie holders. The extensions are a good place to strap around as they stop the cart from slipping back. Works for me anyway.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned on this thread is the issue with scupper carts cracking the hull inside the scupper. I've seen it happen a few times and the guys who went through it had pretty sketchy experiences because they couldn't notice the cracks until after they'd sunk their boats. Because of that I went with the big Wheeleez cart 10 years ago. The frame is still solid today with no corrosion and have had no breaks etc.. I replaced the nylon straps that tether the stand with some steel cable and a few crimps about 4 years ago. The whole thing folds down and fits in most hulls which was a big deal to me too.

Anyway, back to the title, I've taken this cart through every condition that I think is out there. From dirt, rocks, oyster shells, blackberry bushes, softball sized cobbles, sand etc. and it's still rocking. While these carts are stupid expensive, after a long day and pulling my loaded yak through some stupid terrain, have said MANY TIMES, "that Wheeleez cart was so worth it!" BTW they're made in the USA too.

U-S-A!  U-S-A!

Thank you, Zee.  I'd made up my mind to not try a scupper cart (sorry, Craig).  I've found a base cart with a frame that I like more than I like WheelEez- or C-Tug-style frames.  Modifications to come!

Zee, I may just be getting lucky or the halved tennis balls that I added to cushion the cart against the hull are doing their job. 

With using the PVC over stainless steel, I figure it's a plastic to plastic war going on, rather than a metal to plastic war with potentially dim results.

Zee, I may just be getting lucky or the halved tennis balls that I added to cushion the cart against the hull are doing their job. 

With using the PVC over stainless steel, I figure it's a plastic to plastic war going on, rather than a metal to plastic war with potentially dim results.

You, sir, are a world famous Kayak Kraftsman, whereas I am merely a mortal Tinkerer.   

Any concern about scupper cracks isn't what stopped me.  I have two kayaks with very different scupper-spacing and, sadly, lack the gumption to build two carts - or to shift WheelEez wheels between different carts.  Call me lazy if you want... because I am.

Zee, I may just be getting lucky or the halved tennis balls that I added to cushion the cart against the hull are doing their job. 

With using the PVC over stainless steel, I figure it's a plastic to plastic war going on, rather than a metal to plastic war with potentially dim results.

You, sir, are a world famous Kayak Kraftsman, whereas I am merely a mortal Tinkerer.   

Any concern about scupper cracks isn't what stopped me.  I have two kayaks with very different scupper-spacing and, sadly, lack the gumption to build two carts - or to shift WheelEez wheels between different carts.  Call me lazy if you want... because I am.

World famous?   

You need to just do it.  Which is more uncomfortable, going through the task of buying what you need for two carts, or carrying one or the other to the water due to having an inefficient cart for the job? 

You can do it, you can do it. 

C-Tug......I love mine might get a little difficult on the rocks but the tires won't go flat and it breaks down to fit in the hull.

I'll second the C-Tug for rough terrain.   The only qualm is I'm still working out a way to keep the strap that wraps over the top of the kayak from sliding on the Outback.   On the Big Tuna the paddle notch is a perfect place.

I use a similar homemade cart and have pvc rod holder extensions in the rear hobie holders. The extensions are a good place to strap around as they stop the cart from slipping back. Works for me anyway.

If the straps are assembled and tightened correctly they Will NOT slip! Anyone that has a C-tug and has trouble with the straps slipping really needs to re-visit the detailed instructions how to piece together and assemble the straps and how to use the Camlock (leverlock) buckle to get the strap TIGHT. Please notice how the kayak strap is tensioned at the buckle. Check out the video instructions here:
Assemble:
Buckle:

"that Wheeleez cart was so worth it!" BTW they're made in the USA too.

....and 15% off for the next few days, ends 8/1 http://www.wheeleez.com/

...never mind, REI with free shipping is a better deal.

Wheeleez are NOT made in the USA.  They claim to be designed in the USA, and that the tire material is of USA origin, but the carts are definitely made in China.  The 20mm tube diameter also makes me question just how "designed in the USA" they really are. 

Wheeleez is the US store front for imported Chinese goods.  If you don't believe it, here's their contact info from their website.

I like to buy US-made stuff when I can, but nobody in the USA is making wheels this good that I know of, and if they were I don't think we peasants could afford them.