How to Build a Kayak Lift Assist

After the paddling fun is over the kayaks need to be properly stored. For those with garages or large storage rooms, store the kayak near the ceiling rafters to keep floor space available. To get the kayaks up to the rafters or ceiling supports you need a lift assist. Use pulleys for mechanical advantage to get the kayaks up and off the floor and stored near the ceiling.

Things You'll Need

  • Power screwdriver-drill
  • 2 rope cleats
  • 4 small rope pulleys
  • 4 eye-screws that fit the pulleys
  • Nylon cord, 8-mm
  • Measuring tape
  • Marker
  • Work ladder
  • 4 carabiners
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the distance between the two kayak carrying handles -- between the bow and stern -- of the kayak. Be sure your garage or storage area is longer than the kayak to be lift-assisted and stored.

    • 2

      Set up the ladder near the rafter where the kayak lift is being placed. Go to a support beam and measure out the distance between the two kayak carrying handles and mark the distance ends on the support beam.

    • 3

      Drill two holes at each end of the measured distance. Drill each set of holes so they are 12 inches apart; you want to have two sets of holes, one at the front of the support rafter and one set at the rear. Screw the eye-screws into each drilled hole.

    • 4

      Hang one pulley in each eye-screw. Cut the nylon cord to two equal lengths. Make the lengths long enough for the cord to reach the ground and add 3 feet. Place the lighter flame under the cuts on the nylon to melt the ends and prevent frays. Thread one length of cord into each set of the 12-inch spaced pulleys. Use two pulleys for each side as this gives a two-to-one ratio, making the lift easier than a single-pulley one-to-one system.

    • 5

      Drill a rope cleat to a vertical support or wall in the garage. Keep the cleats within easy reach of the nylon cord from the pulleys; this is why the cord cut is three feet longer than the ground measurement in Step 4. Tie the cords to the rope cleats, keeping the bow rope on one and the stern rope on the other. This distributes the weight between the two ropes.

    • 6

      Place the kayak under the pulleys and clip the carabiner into the kayak's front and rear tow handles. Pull the two ropes using the pulleys to lift the kayak up into the raised storage position. Tie the cords off on the rope cleats to lock the kayak in the raised storage position.