Tastech Terminator AI wheelcart

Author: josh

Category: Gear reviews

Published on Sunday, 01 August 2010 14:51

Written by Josh

Rise of the T1

With kayak models being updated and new ones added to the range constantly, one of Hobie's design challenges has been in providing wheelcarts to suit. A part of the challenge lies within making carts that fit all models, accommodating various kayaks for various usage scenarios, without having to offer a plethora of models that might otherwise confuse customers and confound dealers.

Through the years I've had 5 different carts (and perhaps no coincedence I have had 5 different Hobie kayaks throughout the same duration). Over time, however, I've become aware of a personal need for a cart designed specifically for my own use on the Adventure Island. A cart that would tick all the pre-requisite boxes specific for coastal usage. Hobie's Trax 1 wheelcart frame is the one I have been using most recently, custom fitted with a pair of Hobie's heavy-duty wheels. For the most part they've worked out pretty well, holding up well even while hauling heavy expedition loads. The wheels especially, have been excellent and still in good condition.

But it was just this sort of expedition use that eventually saw the frame crack at the welds on both support bars and it happened while dragging them over a rocky beach after landing in the surf at Brooms Head. I took this as an opportune time to talk to Tastech Industries about a wheelcart design I had in mind for the Adventure Island. Taso - also the maker of the custom-built 'Stealth Serpent' kayak motor - has been building extra-heavy duty wheelcarts for Hobie kayaks for some time now and he turned out to be the right man to speak to in order to get a custom cart built. After a brief discussion by way of email exchange Taso went to work on the wheelcart with specifications I described to address the following issues: ease of use, secure on-board storage, suitable for various terrain types and built to last. The prototype turned up a week later and I was highly impressed.

The build quality of this cart is second to none and that is instantly obvious upon inspection. The quality of steel, and workmanship with which the cart is built is the reason I was inspired to suggest the name 'Terminator' wheelcart. As a point of interest, that's how this wheelcart earned it's moniker: Terminator (or T1 for short). The frame is built with 25mm stainless steel throughout and is thoroughly welded together. Just above the support bar are stainless spacer tubes that have been added as a positional support for the collar clamps. With these in place there is no guess work as to where collar clamps should be clamped and no possibility of the clamps sliding down the shaft and having the hull rest on the support bar. It also places the clamps in an ideal position to act as a catch for the bungee cord that helps hold it in place during storage.

  

The wheels are wider than Hobie's earlier standard carts and about the same as the Trax 1 wheelcart. Using the heavy duty wheels supplied, this gives reasonable wide base support for haulage and are ideally spaced in such a way so as to aid with secure on-board storing in the rear well. Storing them the way I do - with the posts tucked under the bungee cord in the rear storage well using the clamps and velcro strap to secure in place - the wheels perch nicely on the gunwales without interfering with the furling line. I put the security of this system to the test today, allowing 3 waves to crash over me as I launched. Not only were the wheels still in place afterward, they hadn't budged a millimetre. Note that I used Hobie collar clamps as hubs to lock the wheels into place (which is an expensive, but nice way to do it), though a cottor-pin or locking pin can also be used.

Also resisting one of the more recent design changes of the Hobie wheelcart frames is the length of the posts, which need to be fairly long to suuport models such as the Pro Angler, (and to a lesser degree) Oasis and Tandem Island. My idea was to keep the length of the posts relatively short (about the same length as the original Trax 1 frame posts) because I find it much easier to insert these into the scuppers on the water if they're not too long. The new frames from Hobie require more depth of water for insertion and this isn't always easy when waves are crashing behind you. I find this height much more user friendly.

After having tested the prototype, I am certain it would be safe enough to extend the width of the wheels so as to widen the wheelbase by about 15mm per wheel, and the length of the posts extended by an extra 10mm, as these minor adjustments will make for a bit better stability during haulage (without sacrificing good resting position for wheels when stored) a bit more length in the posts might make for a slightly surer ride down a bumpy ramp, without making it significantly more challenging to insert underwater. I expect Taso will make those changes to production models, which will be available for 'heavy user' AI owners very soon. As a side note, this cart would also suit the Revolution and Quest models very well. A modified version - The Terminator 2 (T2) is currently in the works for the Tandem Island also, which should also work pretty well on the Oasis.

Jiminy, the yakass mascot cricket approves!

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