How to Make a Canoe Rack

The pointed shape of a canoe makes it difficult to store the boat safely. If you set your canoe down on the ground, it will tip over and place undue stress on one side of the hull. The best way to store a canoe is with a suspended canoe rack that can hold it in an upside-down position. You can purchase these at most outdoor equipment stores or save the money and make your own canoe rack.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • 2-by-4 lumber
  • Electric or hand saw
  • Electric drill with 1/8-inch bit
  • Utility hooks
  • Eyelet hooks
  • Utility chain
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the canoe at the widest point of its hull (usually right in the middle). Mark this distance plus 6 inches on a piece of 2-by-4 lumber and cut it with an electric or hand saw. Repeat this on a second 2-by-4 so you have two identical support pieces.

    • 2

      Mark a spot 2 inches from the end of each wooden piece. Use an electric drill with a 1/8-inch bit to drill a small hole on the marked spots. Screw a utility hook into each hole. The open ends of the hooks should be pointing toward the outside edge of the wood.

    • 3

      Find two rafter studs in the ceiling of your garage. There should be at least 8 feet of space between the studs to allow room for the canoe. Drill four 1/8-inch holes into the rafters, leaving 3 feet of space between each hole. Screw an eyelet hook into each hole. Connect one end of a 36-inch-long utility chain to each eyelet. Connect the other end of each chain to the utility hooks on the wooden support pieces you made.

    • 4

      Store the canoe by unhooking one of the chains from one of the wooden supports. Turn the canoe upside-down and slide the front onto the wooden piece that is still connected to both chains. Lift up the back of the canoe, place the other wooden support underneath it and connect the utility chain to the hook.