2. Materials The main frames of these products are made from an anodized aluminium alloy. This gives the frame very good resistance to weathering as the metal will not oxidise or react to factors such as salt. It also means the product will be very light due to the qualities of aluminium. However, aluminium tubing will dent very easily causing weak spots in the frame of an otherwise very strong and durable product. A rubber is used to create grip to keep the kayak in place and protect the hull. This may be perishable but is likely to be neoprene foam rubber which will not weather as easily. The plastic used for the mechanisms and joints is likely to be polyethylene, polypropylene or ABS which will also resist weathering and not corrode in salt water. The bolts holding the frame together are made from stainless steel and although they will resist weathering will eventually corrode over prolonged periods in contact with salt water. Durability The product is made from an anodised aluminium alloy which means it will not rust or react to salt water. Aluminium is also a very strong metal so the trailer has a load capacity of 80Kg. Both the rubber and plastic used for the mechanisms, tyres and grips are made from materials that will resist weathering and will not corrode easily. The only sections of the design at risk of corrosion are the springs used in the mechanisms and the bolts used to hold the frame together. Weight and Size The product is very small with the ‘Atlantic’ version measuring just 61 x 33 x 33cm (with wheels) when folded, and 61 x 33 x 8cm (without Wheels) when not. The product is also collapsible and the wheels are only 26cm in diameter so it can be stored in a surprisingly small space, such as the inside of a kayak. The whole product weighs just 2.7Kg so it will not affect the performance of a kayak if it is stored in it and can be easily transported and attached. Mechanisms The mechanisms are very simple in both designs. A simple spring loaded catch with a plastic locking mechanism holds the frame in the open or closed positions. The mechanism is safe and will be easy to use but the spring is likely to corrode after prolonged periods in contact with salt water. A quick release pin attaches the wheels to the frame which is very quick to use and can be removed or attached in seconds. User friendliness Due to the rubber grips there is no need to strap or attach the trailer to the hull of the kayak and the trailer is very simple and quick to use. Quick release pins used to attach the wheels, and a spring loaded catch mechanism used to keep the frame in its two positions means that collapsing the product is also quick and easy. Aesthetics A colour scheme of black silver and red is continued throughout the product giving it a clean and appealing image. The use of an anodized metal gives a durable and robust appearance. The manufacturer’s corporate identity is retained through the use of a logo in a contrasting colour printed onto the strap. Canyon Canoe Trolley Atlantic Kayak Trolley Product In use Wheel quick release mechanism Spring loaded plastic catch The trolley collapsed The smaller Atlantic Trolley RELATED PRODUCTS – rod rests included in Kayak designs During my visit to ‘Kayaks and Paddles’ in Plymouth I found a variety of rod rests included in the designs of kayaks for use with kayak fishing. A rod rest supports a fishing rod after it has been cast or while it is not in use. Materials Modern kayaks are usually made from polyethylene as this will not corrode or perish in salt water conditions and will not scratch easily. The Scotty Power Lock rest is made from fibre reinforced engineering nylon, an extremely robust material that will resist scratches and weathering but also retain flexibility to grip the rod. One of the ‘Scott’’ Power lock rod rests on an ocean kayak Pictures of a simple in built rod rest included in an ocean kayak. A cross sectional diagram of an inbuilt rod rest The rubber grips to support the kayak hull Economics: The Atlantic version’s retail price is £59.95 and the larger Canyon version is £69.95. This puts the manufacturing costs of this item at least below £30 as they are likely to be at least 40% of the RRP. Mechanisms There are no significant mechanisms in the inbuilt rod rests, however, the Power lock version includes a swivel mechanism and one for tightening the rest around the rod. Both mechanisms are very simple and sealed against water entering working parts. Durability The inbuilt design will be as durable as the kayak itself as it offers no protruding external parts that could be otherwise damaged and is constructed from the same weather proof plastic. A cap is included in many of the designs to prevent dirt and water from entering the hole when not in use. The Power Lock has more working parts in terms of a swivel which will include bearings, which if they come into contact with salt water, are likely to corrode. However, all the external materials, including the reinforced engineering nylon, are weather and scratch resistant. User Friendliness Both designs are extremely easy to use as the rod will simply slot into the slots allocated. A textured greasily p on the power lock to tighten the holder means that it can be used even when wet and slippery. Economics: The Power lock has an RRP of £25.00 meaning it is a comparatively cheap accessory for a kayak. Aesthetics The power lock comes in a range of four colours, black, grey, white and sand so as to match and blend in with a range of kayaks. It is made from one piece of moulded plastic giving it a robust and desirable appearance. Safety Due to the simple mechanisms there is no risk of trapping causing injury to the user. The design also has no sharp edges and the grips ensure the kayak will not come off the trolley accidentally. SIMILAR PRODUCTS – Eckla Canyon Canoe Trolley and Eckla Atlantic 260 Kayak Trolley: These products were on sale at ‘Kayaks and Paddles’ in Plymouth. The trailers are designed for short distance transportation and launching of canoes and kayaks, the ‘Canyon’ for larger kayaks and canoes, the ‘Atlantic’ for smaller models. 2 2 Information, Inspiration and Influences Design, Make and Evaluate Similar products - sources of inspiration for the design Kayak trolley in use – Click to view video LAUNCHING TROLLEY Cross section from the front of the back section The Rubber pads Boat Hull Wheel The outrigger fitted to an ocean going kayak.

3. Potential Client Mike Brettle, Owner/Manager of ‘Potton Marine’ (Extensive experience in design and construction of marine products) The product must: provide some way of stabilising a kayak to make it suitable for uses such as fishing, tuition or use by children. It must aid the transportation of larger kayaks to the waters edge. be flexible and adjustable so it is suitable for several designs of kayak. give an impression of durability. be simple and safe to use. include additional functions. be economic to manufacture not alter the kayaks performance, e.g.. be streamlined. be sympathetic towards health and safety issues. offer convenience, durability and have cheap unit costs, to sell well for kayak fishing, include a keep net, rod rest or attachment for an outboard motor be of a fail safe construction not alter the design of the kayak but can removed and attached as required. Target Market interview Chris Smith, regular kayaker and kayak fisherman and father of young children learning to kayak: “We have a large three man kayak which takes 2 strong adults to carry. Consequently we are exhausted just getting the kayak to the water. As there are not always two adults available it would be much more convenient if just one adult could transport the kayak from the car to the waters edge”. The product must: enable one adult to transport the kayak on their own with ease. be able to be stored conveniently. be light weight. be designed to withstand weathering and corrosion from salt water. be capable of being stowed / carried by the kayak without effecting the sitting space of three adults on board. provide a stable and safe platform to fish from, to avoid difficulty and danger on the water not compromise the kayak’s performance when not fishing. not obstruct the opportunity to cast freely. Extracts from interviews to determine essential design requirements Design, Make and Evaluate 3 2 Information, Inspiration and Influences Key information required for the designing BIBLIOGRAPHY Websites www.wesmar.com – the company website selling the roll fin stabilisers.www.wesmar.com www.oceantorque.com – the company web site selling the ocean torque stabilisers.www.oceantorque.com www.halfords.co.uk – information about bike stabiliserswww.halfords.co.uk www.joelwaersports.co.uk – information about the Eckla kayak trolleys.www.joelwaersports.co.uk www.opticsplanet.net – information about the dingy dolly.www.opticsplanet.net www.Alibaba.com – information about nylon wheels.www.Alibaba.com www.wheeleez.com – information about wheel designs.www.wheeleez.com Books Advanced Manufacturing, Design and Technology – RCA schools – information about manufacturing processes. Design and Realisation – Collins CDT - information about materials. Visits ‘Kayaks and Paddles’ in Plymouth. - kayak designs, kayak trolleys and fishing accessories. Plymouth chandleries – types of launching trolley for small boats. Southampton Boat Show – information about kayak related products. KMG Systems factory – information about TIG welding. Priory Marina – information about launching trolleys and boat keels. Persons Chris smith – target market – general information relating to kayaks and kayak fishing. Mike Brettle – information about specifications and design constraints. John White – information about materials and manufacturing processes Tony Wills – information about materials. William Smith – information about the manufacture and materials. Other Measurements taken from school and home owned kayaks to discover the average dimensions of kayaks. WHEELS Which designs of wheel float well? This will be a major factor in my design if the product is to stay attached during use. Tests: I experimented on all the wheels I had looked at previously using a bath to simply to see which floated best. I found that all the wheels floated but some a lot less that others. The car wheel floated least well due to its weight and less than a quarter was above the water. This was the same for the bicycle wheel due to its small tyres which meant less air was stored in its inner tubes. The pram wheel floated so as a quarter was above the water but suffered from the lack of air in its tyres. The launching trolley wheel worked well and nearly half floated above the water. The wheel that floated best was the toy tractor wheel due to its light weight and the large amount of air stored in its types. I checked to see if any of the wheels trapped water when submersed and none did apart from the bicycle wheel. The toy tractor wheel floating - the majority of the wheel was above the water. The trailer wheel floating -nearly half the wheel was above the water The pram wheel floating - only a quarter of the wheel was above the water RELATED PRODUCT – Pelican ‘Dingy Dolly’ The Dingy Dolly is a simple product consisting of two wheels that enable the user to manoeuvre a small dingy or boat over hard ground single handed. The wheels then fold up when the boat is in the water and can attach to any wooden, fibre glass or metal boats. Packaging - the box for the product The two wheels attached to the dinghy RELATED PRODUCT Children’s bike stabilizers The collective components needed to attach the stabilisers. The range of dusks available varying from 365mm in diameter to 650mm in diameter. SIMILAR PRODUCT Ocean Torque Stationary Boat Stabilisers: This product is designed to reduce roll by 70% on a range of boats from 20 – 80 foot. It uses a boom and two large disks in the water to provide water resistance against any rolling motion. Similar products - inspiration VISIT AND INTERVIEW Robert Neff – Marine Manager at Priory Marina ‘the most important thing in a launching trolley is its centre of balance, if the trolley has a good centre of balance when the boat is on it, it can be lifted with ease by one person.’ (He demonstrated with his boat he could lift it with one finger when on the launching trolley) To be able to lift the trailer with the least amount of force the centre of gravity must be directly over the pivot point of the trailer. Diagram I drew showing how the centre of gravity in a launching trolley is so important. The red cross indicates the centre of gravity. CLICK to listen to part of interview

4. Material samples and brochures collected at the show, including glass-fibre panels, stainless steel fittings and fasteners. Some of these will be useful in the models later. RobsonPerception - Torrent Perception Scooter Perception – Kiwi 3 School kayak 1 School Kayak 2 Average Length295mm310mm280mm410mm310mm440mm340mm Width (widest point)70mm80mm 85mm58mm60mm72mm Depth25mm32mm35mm48mm25mm38mm33mm Measurements from Kayaks: To gain an accurate perception of the average sizes and dimensions of kayaks I took measurements from a variety of different designs of kayaks. This information will hopefully help me to design my product so it can be used universally on a number of different deigns of kayak. Robson kayakPerception torrentPerception scooterPerception kiwi 3School kayak 2School kayak 1 Design, Make and Evaluate 4 2 Information, Inspiration and Influences The Mirage pedalling system. One of the carrying handles on the stabilizers The trolley Visit to the Hobie Kayaking Stand: Hobie Kayaking are a British based firm that specialise in advanced ocean kayaking. They are well known for their Mirage pedalling system that enables kayaks to be pedalled using a system that works in a similar way to the flippers of a penguin. Their designs of kayak are revolutionary and experimental. The kayak included: a centre board, the mirage pedalling system, a sail, stabilizers and a trolley. The stabilizers took the form of two long streamlined floats attached to outriggers out over each side of the kayak. The outriggers were able to extend and collapse using a hinge that could be held in place using a simple pin mechanism. The floats could be removed from the outriggers using a bungee cord. The floats also included carrying handles so the kayak could be easily lifted. This design of stabilizer appears to me to be the most effective I’ve seen through my research. The pole from the trolley inserted in the hole in the kayak. The centre board Hobie kayak showing one stabilizer extended and one collapsed. Bungee cord attachment holding the float to the outrigger Pin mechanism holds outriggers in extended or collapsed positions. Visit to ‘Sealegs Amphibious Craft’ Stand: The Sealegs Amphibious Craft were the most advanced versions of launching boats into the water. The boats are fitted with three wheels that are hydraulically controlled to rise up in the water and then descend when on land. A motor can power the wheel to travel up to six mile per hour on land enabling the craft to literally drive into the water. This is useful to my project as it demonstrates the ways that trailers can be built into a marine craft in the most advanced way. The sea legs 7.1m model amphibious craft on the water with undercarriage up. A photo of the display version with the wheels up Visit to the Prijon Stand: Prijon are a German based company specialising in kayaking products. A kayak with an inbuilt wheel at the back. The hole in the kayak for the trailer poles to slot into. The poles on the trailer. The inbuilt wheel on the back of the kayak. Visit to the Southampton Boat Show: On the 24 th of September 2007 I visited the Southampton Boat Show. Key information and influences on the design Further inspiration