Wheeleez vs. Mini?

Well I have looked through the past reports, but figured the mini's have been out long enough for some good reviews.

My homemade cart works, but I am looking for a cart I can store on my P13.  I don't like lugging my homemade cart back to the truck, and don't want to leave it on the launch site.

I have been looking at the Wheeleez and the Wheeleez Mini as alternatives.  I like the small size of the mini, but think it may be too small for my kayak?  I read it was made more for touring kayaks.  How is storing the full size?  I wouldn't even mind strapping it in the tank well if it will fold up and fit fine.  I am into easy launching, so how quick and easy does the cart break down?  Thanks!

Matt

Hello,
I've used and tested both and prefer the full sized version. Mind you I have used them with the P13, Big Game, and Trident P15. Storage for the full size can be done, but it is a bit of a hassle. If your looking for big off road capabilities with a fully loaded yak then I would say go with the full size. If you are looking for ease of storage and don't want to walk it back or stow it topside then go for the mini. The mini should be fine if you are fairly light on the load. Both break down very quickly in terms of taking the wheels off.
Mike

.......figured the mini's have been out long enough for some good reviews.
..... looking for a cart I can store on my P13.  I don't like lugging my homemade cart back to the truck, and don't want to leave it on the launch site.
.... I am into easy launching......
Matt

Well, with any choice there are always going to be SOME compromises - Not sure the minis will be good EVER except for light loads and short distances. But then for those a skateboard could work - JK!

If a particular cart is THE one that works the best all around for you and your style of trips, you will adapt to fit it aboard and/or stowed.

To me, your easy launching statement is the  deciding factor. As you get more comfortable toting in to new sites, you will take more gear too - particularly if you are diving as well as fishing.

Carry a lot of rods and terminal gear? Got lotsa fish, BIG fish, Abs? Gonna visit AbKing up at Bear Harbor? Throw the tent and ice chest on the 'yak for the trip down to the beach so as to stay o'night? Get the bigger wheelz if you are up to adventure, minis for quickee trips only, IMHO.

John

I bought the big wheeleez first and love it. then i bought the mini cause the big one wouldnt fit in my hatch. the mini fit but it underperformed. my advice, go big. they need to make a medium size also.

And make sure you get the bald tires.

I bought the mini at first because I was trying to save money, and after about a month of using it I figured out it just doesn't work for standard sized sit on top kayaks. The mini was designed for smaller hulled boats like sit inside yaks and I'm sure it is great for those.

Unless you are willing to settle for poor performance, and greater difficulty for any uphill or rough portage, then I would definitely take the hit and buy the bigger wheels even though they are considerably more expensive.

Instead of saving money, I ended up spending more in the long run because I bought the small wheels, hated them, sold them for less than what I paid because they were used, and then bought a set of full sized wheels.

Considering all of the kayaking gear I've bought since I started this a little less than two years ago, not buying the big wheels first is the biggest mistake I have made. Now I own two sets of big wheels, one for my yak and one for my wife's.

Well I have looked through the past reports

Not to sound curt, but if you have done your research, you'd see that most here prefer the full size.  FJ pretty much summed it up.

Michael

I thought everybody carried their yaks over their head? Guess I'm the only one....
Those Wheelez carts are nice but expensive. Do you know how much "supplements" you could buy for $200 at Balco? Ditch the cart, get on the juice, and quit complaining!







 

And make sure you get the bald tires.

I built 2-3 karts myself with some pretty nice wide tires but never got the ease of pull I wanted.  

I finally coughed up the money for a pair of the bald wheeleze tires designated by the WZ1-30XX part no.  The XX designates the axel size.  I put these on my kart and am in love.  I was lucky in that my kart accepted those wheels with no modifications.

Anyway the WZ1-30 tires are the bomb!!!  Talk to the people at Wheeleze and make sure whatever cart you get has those wheels, then figure out how to stow them later.

These wheels are also known as the polyureathane ones, NOT the PVC ones.
(IMHO)

I thought everybody carried their yaks over their head? Guess I'm the only one....
Those Wheelez carts are nice but expensive. Do you know how much "supplements" you could buy for $200 at Balco? Ditch the cart, get on the juice, and quit complaining!

 

  - "Over the head" may be a bit much at places like Elk . . . particularly uphill with fish and Abs.

Thanks guys.  I will get the larger cart.  I see most everyone is backordered till Feb on the carts.  I will make my homemade job work till then.

I appreciate the advise and experiences.  Hopefully the larger cart will hold up to all the fat halibut, lings and rockfish I will be catching! LOL

Matt

I bought a set of the minis when they were on sale. After checking them out I decided to use them on a old folding luggage handtruck to use at the beach. For hauling wife/kid stuff and icechest, etc...The bigger the wheel the easier they roll.