How to Build a Canoe Lifter

A canoe lifter is handy for storing your canoe in a garage or anywhere that the extra space would be useful. It uses an adjustable series of straps and rope hoists suspended from the ceiling to minimize the space it occupies. The lift is simple to make and involves a pulley system to decrease the effort needed to raise the canoe so it can be used by nearly anyone. If you are hanging the canoe above a car, make sure there is enough clearance for the car to move in and out freely and that it doesn't interfere with the garage door.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Drill
  • 3/8-inch drill bit
  • Two rope hoists with 50 feet of rope
  • Two heavy ceiling hooks
  • Two heavy nylon cinch straps
  • Two medium standard-shape carabiners
  • Rope cleat
  • Two 3-1/2-inch wood screws
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the distance between the stern and bow thwarts. This will be the distance between the rope hoists. Pick a ceiling joist to hang the canoe from, but make sure there will be clearance to run the ropes from the ceiling joist you selected to where you want the rope cleat to be on a nearby wall. Use the stern/bow measurement to mark the center of the joist along a straight line.

    • 2

      Drill a pilot hole with the 3/8-inch bit at each mark and screw the ceiling hooks in until they are secure with the hook opening pointed away from the wall where the rope will be secured. Hang a rope hoist from each hook and pull the lower hook down to the floor.

    • 3

      Measure the length around the boat at the stern and bow thwarts and add 2 feet to each measurement. Cinch one nylon strap to match each measurement. You can mark the straps where they cinch to make adjusting them easier in the future.

    • 4

      Attach a carabiner to each strap and with the canoe upside down on the floor, slide the straps to their locations above the bow and stern thwarts with the carabiners on top.

    • 5

      Drill two pilot holes at about chest height into a wall stud to match the mounting holes of the rope cleat. Secure the cleat to the wall with the wood screws.

    • 6

      Attach the hoist hooks to the carabiner and pull slowly and equally on both ropes to raise the canoe. When you've hoisted it high enough, secure the ropes to the cleat using a figure-eight pattern.