Railblaza is a brand of accessories for boats and kayaks, originating from New Zealand. Railblaza proposes, at the end of this year, an evolution of its famous kayak cart, the C-Tug R. I was able to discover and try this cart in exclusivity.
A useful evolution
The old generation of portage carts had two types of wheels, the "standard" wheels, for all terrains, except for soft sand and large rollers, and the Sandtrakz wheels, for soft sand and large rollers. The portage of the float was done on two plates whose spacing was not adjustable. As a result, carrying wide kayaks or kayaks with a specific hull shape was not easy.
The evolution of this cart concerns this part, the trays have been replaced by carrying bars. The wheelbase between bars is adjustable, because these bars slide on a rack system. We find the same wheels according to the need of the type of spots.
Ease of use
The adjustment is very simple, just put the kayak upside down and put the cart on the hull drawing. Then adjust the spacing and tighten the whole thing with 4 stainless steel screws located on each side of the racks. Once the adjustment is obtained, you have a portage specifically adapted to your hull design, whatever the shape of the hull, cathedral, pontoon or tunnel.
These carts will be offered complete or as a kit for users who already have an older generation cart. In this kit, you will find the bars of portage, the rack system and a strap of tightening new generation.
Testing the C-Tug R
I was able to try this cart on different kayaks, adjusting the spacing of the carrying bars is really simple, you just need a wrench 11 to do it. Like the other C-Tug dollies, it can be completely disassembled in a few seconds, and can be placed in one of the kayak's lockers if you have one or on the back deck.
This dolly also has a kickstand to help put the kayak on the dolly, once the kayak is on the dolly, remember to pull up the kickstand. You can then slide the kayak to find the balance point and facilitate the movement. The optimum setting is the cart placed at the level of the seat, it is then very easy to roll with. In the box, you will also find a simple and clear assembly instructions.
Highlights:
- Easy to assemble
- Fits virtually any hull shape
- Solidity
- Lightness
Weakness:
It is a pity not to present these carts with the possibility to mount low pressure wheels of small diameter on them. Indeed, these wheels are really all terrain.
