How to Build a Canoe or Kayak Rack

A simple canoe or kayak rack can be built from tube steel with a little welding. If you don't weld yourself, you can assemble the structure and carry it to a local welding shop to have the pieces welded together. When you purchase the steel, you can have all the pieces cut to the correct size in advance, making the process even easier.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 pieces, 2 by 3 inch tube steel, 8 feet
  • 6 pieces, 2 by 2 inch tube steel, 6 feet long
  • 2 pieces, 1/8 thick by 1 inch wide steel strips, 10 feet long
  • Tape measure
  • 6 C-clamps, 8 inch
  • Black marker
  • Drill
  • 1/2 inch steel drill bit
  • 4 carriage bolts, 1/2 inch by 5 inches long
  • 4 nuts and lock washers, 1/2 inch
  • Socket wrench set
  • Shovel
  • Wheelbarrow
  • 4 bags ready-mix concrete, 80 lb. bags
  • 12 eye bolts with nuts, 1/2 inch
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase steel and have the supplier cut it to the lengths specified above.

    • 2

      Lay the two 2 by 3 uprights flat on the ground. Mark lines on each upright at 2 feet and 4 feet 6 inches from one end of each upright to mark where the 2 by 2 crossmembers will be welded.

    • 3

      C-Clamp each 6 foot long 2 by 2 to the uprights, three to each upright, so that the cross member extends equally on either side of the upright. Clamp the top cross member level with the top of the upright to the 3 inch wide side of the upright. Clamp the second so the top will be level with the 2 foot mark. Clamp the third crossmember so the top is level with the 4 foot 6 inch mark. Repeat with the other upright.

    • 4

      Carry the clamped together uprights and crossmembers assembly to a welder and have him weld the cross members in place to make two tree assemblies. Do not weld the crossbrace straps in place. They will be bolted to the uprights after the uprights are set in the ground.

    • 5

      Dig two holes 8 feet apart where you want the rack to sit. Leave 8 feet of clearance around either end so you have room at the ends for loading and unloading the boats. Dig the holes 2 feet deep and wider at the bottom than at the top so that the holes are bell shaped. Insert the tree assembly with the long end in the hole. Mix ready-mix concrete in the wheelbarrow with a shovel and water hose. Fill the holes around the uprights up to 4 inches below the top of the hole. Use the level to make sure the uprights are vertical and the cross trees are horizontal. Once the tree assembly is level, tamp the concrete down around the base of the post and allow to set overnight.

    • 6

      Drill two holes through the side of the uprights just below the top crossmembers. Drill a hole through the ends of the two 10 foot long steel straps. Bolt the ends of the crossbrace straps to the uprights with ½ inch carriage bolts. Cross the straps to make an "X" and drill holes in the base of the uprights to bolt the lower ends of the crossbrace straps to the uprights. Once you have the crossbraces in place, the rack assembly will be stiffened and ready for loading boats.

    • 7

      Drill a hole in the top of the end of each crossmember. Bolt a half inch eyebolt through the holes in the ends of the crossmembers to provide a tie-down point for the boats. Drill three holes in each upright just below the crossmembers and bolt eyebolts to the uprights. These provide the inside tie-downs for your boats.