I recently purchased a Sea Eagle 9 inflatable raft.  Because I couldn't afford to pay Sea Eagle $260 for the wooden flooring and the motor mount support board, I decided to make them myself.  In addition, I fabricated a set of wheels that greatly ease the effort of launching and retrieving of the boat by a single individual.  With all costs included, the flooring and support board cost me about $40.  The retractable rear wheel assembly cost me another $45 or so.

I do not want to waste bandwidth by posting photos and other info that very few people woud be interested in. If anyone is interested in pictures or templates, please reply here of PM me.

Mike

I have one also, I went ahead and bought their product but wonder about the rear wheel assembly transport system that you devised.  A pic would be interesting if you have the time.  I haven't had time to unpack mine yet.  Are you using the foot pump or some other method to pump it up?

The rear wheel assembly is attached to the motor mount.  I will post pictures and further info tomorrow.  I am currently using the supplied foot pump, but it only takes about ten minutes to inflate the boat.  Add in the floor boards, motor mount and its support board, and you are looking at twenty minutes.  Realistically, from the time you unload the raft from your auto, get it put together, and then load all your fishing and other equipment, plan on thirty minutes.  I would strongly advise you to read the assembly instructions in their entirety before your initial assembly.  Also I would strongly advise you to assemble the boat two or three times at home, prior to doing it at the water's edge.  This will keep you from looking like a real dufus in case anyone is watching.  BTW, I will be buying one of those pumps that run off the cigarette lighter.

Lastly, I will post photos of the wheel assembly only.  I will not provide detailed instructions on how to assemble it.  I do not have the time, nor the inclination, to write an assembly manual for such a simple piece of equipment. If you are not pretty good with your hands, and do not have simple tools like a drill, tape measure and hacksaw, then don't bother trying to build it.

Good information, thanks.

Here are the photosa I promised.  The wheel axel and pivot are made from 1/2" all-thread.  The pivot rod is secured to the motor-mout board with two u-bolts.  The boards mounted on either side of the pivot rod serve no purpose other than to ease the mounting of the trolling motor.

To use this device the motor must be raised all the way.  You then pin the wheels down and roll the boat into the water.  After launching, un-pin the wheels and raise the to the stowed position.  Only then can you lower the motor.

I hope this helps.

Long Mike that is pretty slick I appreciate you taking the time to make these really good shots and

'how to' explanations. I've printed them off for reference. This will save me a lot of time in figuring and adapting from my scrap pile. Everybody has to have his left over junk that he can draw from when a project comes up.

Thanks again! ;D