How to Select Kayak Carts

A kayak cart is made to provide a method of moving the boats when not in water. Most kayak carts use a minimum of two wheels and an enclosed platform to haul gear as well as the boat. Some carts are made with knobby off-road tires and others use simple, hard rubber road tires. Select and shop for a cart based on the length of your kayak, where you transport the boat and how much extra gear you average per trip.

Instructions

    • 1

      Look for a kayak cart with aggressive knobby tires if you transport and portage the boat through mucky off-road situations. Check the suspension of the cart when selecting off road tires. Find one with springs at the axles, giving the cart an added level of shock absorption.

    • 2

      Pick out a cart that breaks down for storage and transport in a kayak storage hatch if you frequently go to areas where there are long portages between paddling lakes or rivers. A cart that breaks down and slips into a storage bag with smaller wheels makes an ideal choice for portage style kayaking.

    • 3

      Determine the average amount of extra gear and weight your kayak trips take. Look for large kayak carts that include a wheel-barrow-style cart. Check the attachment straps with this style of cart to ensure the kayak fits snugly on top of the storage cart section of the device.

    • 4

      Play with the straps on any cart you consider. Check you like the system of attachment. Examples include plastic quick-clips, not a great choice for cold weather paddling, but effective and simple; nylon webbing with metal sliders are simple and the least prone to damage or breaking.