Cart for Canoe Instructions

Moving a canoe from its storage location to the water should be done carefully, because dragging it can cause scratches or poke holes in the bottom. You can make a canoe cart out of PVC pipe that is durable and inexpensive that will help you protect your canoe and transport it safely to the water.

Things You'll Need

  • 4 PVC elbows
  • 2 PVC pipes, 18 inches long
  • 8 PVC 45-degree couplings
  • 16 PVC pipes, 3 inches long
  • 6 PVC T-couplings
  • Power drill
  • Drill bit, 1/2 inch diameter
  • 2 PVC pipes, 12 inches long
  • 2 PVC reducers, 1 inch to 1/2 inch
  • PVC glue
  • Steel rod, 24 inches long, 1/2 inch diameter
  • Drill bit, 3/16 inch diameter
  • 4 Washers, 1/2 inch inside diameter
  • 2 Lawnmower wheels
  • 2 Cotter pins
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attach an elbow coupling to each side of a 12-inch piece of pipe, with the open ends of the elbows pointing in the same direction. Insert a 3-inch pipe into the opening on both elbows.

    • 2

      Insert 3-inch pipes into both top openings of a T-coupling, then repeat for a second coupling, using four pipes total.

    • 3

      Connect 45-degree couplings to the pipes extending out of the elbows. Then insert one end of the pipes from one T-coupling into the opening in one 45-degree coupling, and one of the pipes extending from the second T-coupling into the other 45-degree coupling. Rotate the T-couplings, if needed, so that the bottom opening on both T-couplings is pointed in the same direction.

    • 4

      Drill a 1/2 inch hole through the middle of the top of the T-coupling.

    • 5

      Insert a 3 inch pipe into both top openings of the drilled T-coupling, then attach a 45-degree coupling to the open ends of both pipes.

    • 6

      Connect the open end of the two 45-degree couplings on the drilled coupling to the remaining pipes extending from the prior two T-sections. The completed side piece is finished, and shaped like a D with angular bends instead of a rounded front end. Rotate the drilled T-coupling so its bottom is facing the opposite direction as the other two couplings.

    • 7

      Build a second side piece with the remaining 18-inch pipe, 3-inch pipes and couplings as outlined above.

    • 8

      Connect the two side pieces with 12-inch pipes between the T-couplings that were not drilled.

    • 9

      Drill a 3/16 inch diameter hole in both ends of the rod, about a 1/2 inch from the ends of the rod.

    • 10

      Thread the steel rod through one drilled T-coupling, across the space between the sides, then through the second coupling.

    • 11

      Disassemble the cart, one joint at a time, then apply PVC glue and reassemble the joint. Start with a completed design and only take apart one joint at a time to ensure the cart is assembled properly before you glue it.

    • 12

      Insert a reducer over both ends of the rod, securing the 1-inch side to the drilled coupling on the side it is attached, with the rod extending out the 1/2 inch side.

    • 13

      Thread a washer, then a wheel, then a second washer over both ends of the rod.

    • 14

      Insert a cotter pin through each hole drilled in the rod to secure the wheel in place.