After using many self-built kayak carts I got the plastic (wide) wheel model. I found the strap system a pain to use with different widths of kayak, so I use a NRS lash strap instead. This works great!
The cart bends to adapt to nearly any shape sit inside kayak; not sure about SOT with a wider beam. The wide plastic solid tires are great on sand, mud and weed infested areas; on rocks and large pebbles not so great. The soft pneumatic tire model would be better for rocky surfaces. The cart easily breaks down and fits inside of all of my boats (WS Zephyr 155, Dagger Alchemys, Pyrahna Fusion S). I have had 2 kayaks with nearly 150lbs of gear on the cart and it works well.
My mom bought me one of these for Christmas after I hurt my back moving my heavy Rouge River Canoe. It works great once you get the canoe on the thing but that can be difficult because the kick stand will not hold it upright unless it is sitting on a perfectly level surface (like my garage floor) most river banks and launch areas are not perfectly level so you set the C-Tug up then as soon as you pick the canoe up to put it on the C-Tug, it falls over.
I have also used my C-Tug to move my Sunfish sailboat around. I can put the Sunfish hull on it either right side up or upside down. Since the C-Tug is padded with a green rubberized material it will not scratch my hull or deck.
The rubber tires smelled AWFUL when I first took it out of the box but since I keep it out in my garage it was not a huge issue and after several months they seem to have aired out. A standard air chuck will not work to pump up the tires but I was able to use my small portable air compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter on the car to pump them up. So far I have not had any problem with them going flat.
If I take the C-Tug apart it will easily fit in the rear hatch of either my Impex Susquehanna sea kayak or my Wilderness Systems Pungo 140. Since the C-tug is all plastic and the axles are made of stainless steel getting dunked in salt water will not harm it like some other carts.
Overall I give it a nine due to the kick stand issue, but it is a very useful cart.
I purchased the C-Tug about a year ago after doing some online research. The C-Tug is an awesome kayak cart. It is made completely of heavy duty plastic with pneumatic wheels. No metal parts mean no rust or scratches on anything. It assembles easily and quickly breaks down into six pieces. When broken down, it fits nicely into the front hatch of my Tarpon 120.
There is also a YouTube video showing it being used upside down to help load your yak onto the roof of your vehicle, as well as the c-tug also being put together in a way to make it into a seat to use when sitting on a river bank, etc. So it does have a couple other uses besides a kayak cart.
Fantastic, simple and value for the money.
I have been meaning to review my C-TUG purchase for a few months now but have been to busy with the late summer. This is perhaps the 4th cart I have purchased over the last 15 years. I have also tried to make a few. Not so good!
The C-TUG Cart is superior to anything I have used. I got the new hard wheels - they are ingenious. Very impressive unit and look forward to next seasons paddles!
Had a flat tire in November and called Peter at C-TUG. Suggested I wait till the new wheels arrive.
Just got my set today and "EXCELLENT" - no smell - never go flat and weighs less. These guys have got it together... I'm moving to New Zealand. Why can't we do this here in North America?
I recently returned from New Zealand where I purchased a C-Tug, from Payless Plastics in Whangarei. What a pleasure to use. Straps took a bit of adjusting to, but other than that I'm now a pro at pulling it apart and stowing it.
Being all plastic is a plus for saltwater, but wash it down after each use or the C-Tug will start squeaking. My cost was about $130 USD when I bought it and have now owned and used it for 13 months - no issues.