Folding Cart

[Foswick]

I was just complaining about how far out we are at our marina, in another thread. Made me remember I was going to ask this question:

Does anyone have a folding cart (or similar) that they really like? Our marina has carts for use, but we are so far out that just returning the cart when we are done with it takes about half the day.

I exaggerate, obviously, but there actually is a rest stop with bathrooms and showers about half way to our boat. We are that far out. (I kind of like it being out there, but it has its inconveniences.)

We have been looking for a decent-sized sturdy cart that collapses quite small. Our boat has quite a bit of storage space, but not much of it is very big. We've seen a lot of options, but just wondering about folks' real world experiences. Anybody find something they love?

We need something that holds more than two people can easily carry. If we just have 2-3 bags or so, we'll just carry it ourselves. I'm talking more like: 2 duffle bags, 2 weeks of groceries, dog food, a mandolin case, and the assorted odd thing.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I have the Cosco Shifter and I love it. I installed bigger wheels on the back. For groceries I would recommend a collapsable basket to go along with it

 

[Project_Mayhem]

You might get some better answers by elaborating on the style of cart that you are looking for

 

[Will Gilmore]

My wife and I haul a lot of stuff across parking lots and grassy parks to setup our market tent and products. We bought the Cosco carts shown in Mayhem's post above. We love them, but... they are slippery and their deck is not solid so our jelly jar cases would slip off or fall partway through. We tried those folding wagons from Walmart and use them now.

We first bought the type that fold four ways into a tight, elongated column

They are less expensive, but they are both less sturdy and less firm in the bottom. The more expensive ones are worth the extra money.

I would guess we stack about 100+ lbs in them regularly and have had them for a couple of years now.

Added: My wife wanted me to stress, the brand is: Mac. She insists it is far superior to other options.

-Chill Will

 

[Mark Maulden]

Camping World in Burlington also has the wagons..

 

[Foswick]

For us, the real limiter is the folded size. I would like something with about 6 cu ft and 200 lb capacity that folds up to the size of a pack of playing cards - like a mini-Tardis.

We used to have one of these:

I don't know what ever happened to it. It was OK for the occasional use. Obviously not great capacity, but they fold down very small. Might just get two of these.

I really like the idea of the Cosco Shifter, but I think that the tub-on-wheels style like the foldable wagon is probably more useful to us, as we tend to have several smaller items to carry. I just need them to fold up into about half the space.

I actually designed my own that I could make out fiberglass tubing that should have about a 200 lb capacity. But, it is only marginally more compact than commercial options. So, until our mastery of quantum physics improves, I might just need to compromise.

If I had more space, I would get one of these for sure:

Foldit Marine Utility Cart | West Marine

Check out our Foldit Marine Utility Cart and more from West Marine!

www.westmarine.com

 

[Will Gilmore]

If I had more space, I would get one of these for sure:

Foldit Marine Utility Cart | West Marine

Check out our Foldit Marine Utility Cart and more from West Marine!

www.westmarine.com

How about one that doubles as a small tender. Then you store it on davits when not in use.

-Chill Will

 

[Foswick]

 

[SteveHughessails]

I don’t recommend that one; I don’t think you can reef the main.

 

[Will Gilmore]

A.I., gotta give it props.

-Chill Will

 

[ggrizzard]

I've had the West Marine cart fot 20 yrs. It's getting brittle and I'd like another one if anyone sells similar.

Hoo Ray! West is selling them again@:
Folding Dock Cart | West Marine

 

[Straycat22296]

I have a folding cart that we purchased at Costco. I purchased it to replace a smaller cart. It is fairly good sized. I bring it with me in my truck when I go to the boat. It is much easier to have at the truck and not have to go looking for a cart on the docks when I get there.
I would reccomend that anything you get be on the large size, have larger wheels for better rolling and that ones that lock (so it does not roll off the dock when not in use). A long handle for easy pulling is also helpful.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Maybe you don't store your cart onboard.

-Chill Will

 

[NYSail]

We have the Foldit Marine Itility Cart for bring stuff from the car to the boat. It’s about 12 years old now and still going strong…… holds a lot of stuff. Aluminum frame. When I don’t want to return the cart I lock it onto a dock cleat and all is good
On the boat we have a fold up wagon that we use when we are away and not doing as much heavy volume. Fits perfectly in our smaller cockpit lazerette. Good size tires and light. Tire size is important.

Greg
s/v Souleil

 

[Johnb]

The other reason to have your own dock cart is at least if it has been smeared with fish slime, battery acid, port a potty overflow, biological material, diesel etc. they are your contaminants.

 

[Hello Below]

Our marina has carts for use, but we are so far out that just returning the cart when we are done with it takes about half the day.

I really do like the looks of the Cosco Shifter. It gets great reviews and is certainly reasonably priced.
But help me out here. Maybe the 2nd cup of coffee hasn't kicked in yet.
You pull up to the marina with "2 duffle bags, 2 weeks of groceries, dog food, a mandolin case, and the assorted odd thing" and your new sturdy folding cart is neatly stored on the boat. Now what? It's a 3 way trip regardless if you use the marina's cart or your cart on the boat.

 

[Foswick]

We bring the cart home.