How to Build a Canoe Dolly

When transporting a canoe, it is important to ensure that the bottom of the canoe is not dragged along the ground, as doing so can lead weakening over time, eventually leading to a leak. In order to transport shallow crafts, like canoes and kayaks, small dollies are used to move them safely. A canoe and kayak dolly is a simple craft project, as it just requires building a rolling structure with a flat top to rest the canoe on.

Things You'll Need

  • PVC pipe, 3/4 inch diameter
  • Ruler
  • Saw
  • 6 PVC T-connectors
  • PVC adhesive
  • 4 PVC caps
  • 2 PVC 3/4 inch reducers
  • Wood dowel, 5/8 inch diameter
  • Metal axle, 3/4 inch diameter, 3 feet long
  • 2 Wheels, with 3/4 inch bore
  • Drill
  • 4 Cotter pins
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Cut two sections of PVC 9 inches long each, and two sections 2 inches long each.

    • 2

      Attach a 9 inch section and a 2 inch section to the top openings in two of the T-connectors and secure with adhesive. One T-connector must have the 9 inch section on the left and the 2 inch section on the right, and one must have the 9 inch section on the right and the 2 inch section on the left.

    • 3

      Connect the bottom opening of two T-connectors to the remaining opening ends of the 2 inch pieces of pipe, so the tops of the new T-connectors are parallel to the bottom opening of the T-connectors with the 9 inch and 2 inch pieces already glued to them. Secure with adhesive. These are the two end pieces.

    • 4

      Cut two sections of 18 inch long PVC and secure them between the two end pieces with adhesive. One piece connects the open bottoms of the T-connectors with the 9 inch and 2 inch pieces attached, and the other connects an opening in the tops of both of the T-connectors which are only connected to the 2 inch pieces of PVC.

    • 5

      Secure a T-connector to the top of each 9 inch piece of PVC, with the top openings of the T-connectors running perpendicular to the 18 inch long cross pieces.

    • 6

      Cut four pieces of PVC, 9 inches long each, and secure them with adhesive to the openings on the T-connectors at the top of the end pieces. These are the top bars the canoe will rest on.

    • 7

      Cut two pieces of 20 inch long dowel, and insert the dowels through the top bars. The extra length of the T-connectors will allow the dowels to fit without hanging out.

    • 8

      Secure the four caps to the ends of the top bars with adhesive.

    • 9

      Secure the two reducers to the two remaining openings in the T-connectors connected to the 18 inch and 2 inch pieces.

    • 10

      Insert the metal axle through the opening in one reducer, through the PVC pipe and out the other reducer.

    • 11

      Drill through the axle 3/4 inches in from each end.

    • 12

      Slide a wheel onto the axle so that one side of the wheel is barely touching one of the holes from the previous step, and drill a hole 1/4 inch away from the other side of the wheel, then repeat on the other side of the axle.

    • 13

      Position a wheel in between each pair of holes, then secure with cotter pins.