Any recomendations where to purchase flip down boat portage wheels? Looking to portage a 16 ft boat. Have seen some pics of them but can't seem to find any dealers.

I'm also in the market to buy one. Check out the Cabela's website under boat/canoe accessories and they have a couple different ones for sale. That's were I'm buying ours. Dave

Wouldn't recommend them. Most of the portages are rocky and rarely they have all level ground.

I understand that. But only doing one portage and it's necessary. Do you have any other suggestions other than dragging it Pikeman??

PA? you do mean 16 ft boat, not canoe, right?

Correct Kanoes. I know it's a bit of a task but doing it anyway. Only one small portage. I saw a few homemade flip down set ups. Just wondering if anybody markets them commercially.

flip down would assume a transom mount....right?

I'm not sure if that is the only option or not. I know people in boat shops in PA look at me a little funny when I even mention portage wheels... let alone portage wheels for a boat. Was hoping someone on here could give me some direction.

the flip downs are made with motor cycle tires. If you want a good one bring your pictures in to your local welding shop. I made a cart with wheelbarrow tires and it works great. don't cheap out on tires and bearings. I made that mistake.

If we are talking about the BWCA, are portage wheels even allowed?

there are a few areas where portage wheels are allowed. the overnight motor areas.

We purchased ours from a Maine company called, LL Bean many years ago in Freeport , Maine. They have a web site to shop as well. It is adaptable, rugged and has worked quite well if the conditions of the portage are not to rocky or root bound.
Boppa

There aren't any dealers for them, made by private individuals in the Virginia, Mn area.

The flip downs were originally called Babbitt Portage Wheels because the design and manufacture was at Reserve Mining Company.

Shoot me an e mail and I can give you a name and phone number to reach the guys that make them. (if they still do)

Just to be clear, portage wheels are illegal in the BWCA with just a handful of portages that permit them - 4 mile and Trout Lake come to mind.

Not to mention generally useless given the narrow, irregular, steep and rocky paths we call portages.

They are used all the time going out of Fall Lake towards Basswood. The Portages are wider and level going this way so they work pretty well. The Gruman Sport boats are a sweet setup for this as they are narrower than your normal fishing boat.

Check out Piragis, believe they sell and rent them.

I just bought a boat and would like to buy a set of flip bown wheels. i have seen them up at basswood lake and that is the way to go. if anyone has that contact number for them in virgina please send it to me. thanks

I have used them several times on entry point 1 Trout Lake. I rented them from La croix outfitters when Mel Bakke owned it. It is now owned by Anderson Outfitters out of Crane Lake. I would give them a call.

quote bluedog1: "I just bought a boat and would like to buy a set of flip bown wheels. i have seen them up at basswood lake and that is the way to go. if anyone has that contact number for them in virgina please send it to me. thanks"

Call my shop and leave your phone number on the answering machine. I'll call you back with the number once I received your message, but it may be a day or two later. The wheels made in Virginia, Mn are the ones you want, and are far superior to any you will find for rent.

hi Jim, i couldn't find your number but here is my phone number 321-402-7813 my name is Don. Thank you for your reply.Or my email address is dnye@reunionresort.com

They are the ones with the motorcycle wheels and made well. Packsack rented them and probably still do for Newton/Jackfish etc.

quote bluedog1: "hi Jim, i couldn't find your number but here is my phone number 321-402-7813 my name is Don. Thank you for your reply.Or my email address is dnye@reunionresort.com"

Thanks,
I'll call you from my shop before noon with the name and number.

quote Beemer01: "Just to be clear, portage wheels are illegal in the BWCA with just a handful of portages that permit them - 4 mile and Trout Lake come to mind.

Not to mention generally useless given the narrow, irregular, steep and rocky paths we call portages.
"

A picture is worth 1000 words!

The portages that allow wheeled use, are fairly well maintained so using them is no problem.
They include Trout Lake, part of the 4 Mile Portage(which is debatable) Fall to Newton Portage, Newton to Pipestone Bay Portage, Prairie Portage, and Back Bay Portage.

Last year our group of 3 adults and 3 kids took a pair of 14' aluminum boats with outboards from Fall Lake into Basswoood. We rented one set of portage wheels from Voyageur North Outfitters right in Ely.

The portage wheels worked fine, and used solid tires so that there was no concerns with getting a flat.

The guys that use the custom made portage wheels with the motorcycle tires have a MUCH nicer setup! The larger diameter wheels help much when moving over rocky terrain. Most the of the portages between Fall and Basswood are very nice..... but there are a few spots that are very difficult to push a fully loaded 14' boat with motor!

Below is a picture of the wheels we rented:





Great Outdoors - - you have a rough idea of what your local contact charges for a set of those custom wheels?

- Dave

I think they run about $400-$450??????????? They may be less than that.
They come ready to go, and everything is included (axles, motorcycle tires & rims, bolts, wingnuts, etc)
All you need to do is bolt them on your boat, and I think they will do it for you if you have your boat with you when you pick them up.

Great Outdoors,

It would certainly be nice to own a pair of those custom made wheels. If I do this boat trip again, I will look you up and see about contacting your source.

My brother and I have done the BWCA annual trip every year since 1991, but only twice have we done it with motor boats. As it may be a good long while before we try the motor boat route again, I'll hold-off until I'm sure I need it before dropping the cash.

The motor boats are great for maximizing fishing time on prime waters, but the traditional canoe trip is always my 1st choice.

Thanks,

Dave

Portage Wheels

All Spring Creek products are well engineered and constructed, but are made for small boats and canoes.
You will want the "industrial strength" type made from the guys in the Britt/Virginia area for boat with motor portaging.

Tremabath welding in Ely, mn makes them but do not have access to the
wheels. The set up for the boat is around $750.00. I have a complete rig for sale, like new (3 yrs old) boat, motor, trailer; rare and a great rig.

Trembath welding in Ely makes the set up. Wheels are very difficult to find. I have a 3 year old complete rig for sale, wheels, boat , motor, trailer; a rare find. The flip up and down wheels were made by famous Warren Marlot who no longer makes them. Got the very last set he made.

Portage wheels are accepted in only certain areas such a from Fall Lake and beyond.

I think you are referring to a really great guy who use to make them. He no longer does, I got the last set he made.

Four mile portage is not open to portage wheels unless you want to pull them over numerous beaver dams. They definitely work well on the portage from fall Lake and beyond.

Sorry, but the man in Virginia no longer makes them, I bought his last set up and that was three years ago.

quote The Great Outdoors: "All Spring Creek products are well engineered and constructed, but are made for small boats and canoes.
You will want the "industrial strength" type made from the guys in the Britt/Virginia area for boat with motor portaging."

I agree... I had some work done by Trembath in ely many years ago. I would look into them if they make them. They helped me out in a pinch and did excellent work.

BWCA.john.... just as an FYI... if you register here on BWCA.com, you would be able to edit and combine your posts so you didn't have seven in a row. Probably not a huge deal in the big picture, but sometimes new posters don't realize that.

Welcome to the board!

quote PA Fisherman: "I'm not sure if that is the only option or not. I know people in boat shops in PA look at me a little funny when I even mention portage wheels... let alone portage wheels for a boat. Was hoping someone on here could give me some direction. "

I wouldn't recommend transom mount flip down portage wheels. When you pick up the bow of the boat you are holding alot of weight there.

Portage wheels that mount under the boat, towards the middle, means you can balance the load and aren't picking up as much weight.

Cabelas as some headvy duty portage wheels for sale, but so do other vendors. Go to ebay and Amazon and search portage wheels.

I'm assuming you aren't planning to use them in the BWCA where they are illegal or all but a very few portages???????