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Hey folks, I have read these forums off and on for some years now. Went by Floatboat once upon a time, but that was several email addresses ago. Even then I did not get much posting done. I have certainly gathered lots of good info from here though. The reason for my post is two fold. First and foremost I wanted to thank Tube Dude for inspiring me think outside the box. When I decided that I was getting tired of backpacking my tube 1/2 mile and longer back to my favorite holes, I knew I needed a cart. Where else would one go for great ideas but the float tube forums. I saw TD's golf cart idea and spent a good two months looking around for a used golf cart with no luck. One day I was in the local Salvation Army hoping I would find one and stumbled on an Evenflo baby carriage. At first I didn't really think so and figured it would be too costly for my needs. Thankfully my wife was spending way too much time looking at books so I wandered back and got it down off the shelf. As I unfolded it and looked it over, I thought it might be worth a shot. I prepared myself for the price but low and behold it was only $10.00.
Anyway I got it home, tore off most all the plastic parts and started rearrangeing the tubing in such a way as I thought might work. Here is the result. It has not been fully tested off road but I feel good about it. I will let you know if I run into problems with it. I just thought others might stumble upon one and this could help.
Thanks again to all you people who provide such great info., and may spring be upon us.
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What a great idea and bonus price. You know it can handle a fair amount of weight also cause I have seen two children in or on strollers.
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I was thinking the same thing sis.. but .. I have also seen a stroller bog down in loose dirt or sand.. wonder if the wheels are too small or narrow.. ??
MacFly
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That looks pretty good. Let us know how it does offroad.
Ive got a large mesh diving gear bag that I just load everything into.
How long have you had the fishcat and how's it been treating you?
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So when you get where you are going, do you just leave the cart where you launch? Stash it in some bushes or something? Or is that not an issue where you fish?
That would come in handy where I usually fish.
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[cool][#0000ff]Nice work.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have experimented with several different configurations, using the stroller wheels. I eventually took off all the metal from the stroller and just use the tandem wheels...in a couple of different setups. One puts a separate set of wheels under each side. The other uses a simple but effective PVC frame. See pics.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The wheels are sturdy, but they are narrow and bog down in soft sand or mud. They also have trouble going up over large rocks.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My latest model will incorporate the PVC frame but using the larger wheels off the golf cart. Will have one done for show and tell soon.[/#0000ff]
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[quote OlDirtyBasser]So when you get where you are going, do you just leave the cart where you launch? Stash it in some bushes or something? Or is that not an issue where you fish?
That would come in handy where I usually fish.[/quote]
[cool][#0000ff]If you design your cart so that it fits inside the 19" seat width, you can put it behind the seat and bungee it in place when you launch. (see pic).[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have tried several different models, including golf carts, and of them will fit behind the seat with some creative arranging.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Having the cart with you lets you fish along a shoreline and get out wherever you want...rather than having to go back to where you launched. It also prevents theft when somebody accidentally stumbles on your hiding place. Some folks just don't realize that whatever is left behind is not theirs for the taking.[/#0000ff]
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[quote TubeDude][cool][#0000ff]Nice work.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The wheels are sturdy, but they are narrow and bog down in soft sand or mud. They also have trouble going up over large rocks.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My latest model will incorporate the PVC frame but using the larger wheels off the golf cart. Will have one done for show and tell soon.[/#0000ff][/quote]
Yea the narrow wheels were my main concern. I think they will be ok in the terrain I have in mind, otherwise I have wondered about modifying the dual wheels into wider ones. I like your mods and it was my original intent to pvc this thing but when things just started to fall in place I figured I would give it a shot. Looking forward to your next show and tell.
ODB, I am fortunate in that my primary holes that require a long hike, are a group of some 20 old quarry pits that few hike back to. There is typically only one or two entry points so yes I just stash it. It folds into about 1/3 it's size and as TD says, in a pinch it will stow in the back of the tube.
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Interesting... Thanks.
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] I would sometimes backpack her's in when I didn't want to carry all the weight. But I hate not having the depth finder and of course way too much tackle. Managed to catch a few small crappies last weekend but the water is only about 55 degrees right now. If we will get over our 30 mph winds I will try the cart this weekend.