Hitch
The original jockey wheel was heavily corroded so was removed & replaced with two brackets.

One directly on the fixed section takes a non adjustable jockey wheel, only used at home. It allows the hitch to be raised & save space on the drive. A small plate has been welded to the tube to stop it sliding though the bracket as the load on the jockey wheel can be high. The bracket hinge pin is removable so only part of the bracket is permanantly fixed to the boat. This prevents any rattling & reduces drag in the water.

The front jockey wheel has an extension on top so the handle doesn't foul the handbrake.

Plates were added to the hitch to reduce slack. Bars were welded into the antisnake bolts so no tools are required when launching. A chain & "dee" shakle has been added to connect the two Tee bolts together to stop them vibrating loose.

A 2 inch wheel from toolmart was welded to the nose. The housing is 5mm steel as there is a fair force on this during lanching. This wheel has been replaced 3 times to date so its just as well there were some in the skip at work. I intend to get a solid wheel made from aluminium and to slow down when approaching the slip

A noose was made to hold the hitch up. A steel wire was passed through a hole in the front. A clamp was the fixed to the wire inside & the cable pulled home & a noose formed with another clamp.

A shutter bolt stops the drophitch being lowered & hopefully provides good security.

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