How to Design an Exterior Kayak Rack

When designing an exterior kayak rack to fit in your available spaces, several factors need to be taken into account. The amount of available space will determine where you can put your kayak. You'll also need to consider how many kayaks you need to rack, their size and vulnerability to weather and sunshine. Here's what you need to do to design a custom exterior kayak rack for your back yard or lakeside shore.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Tape measure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Calculate the space you need for your rack. Measure the length of your longest kayak. Add 8 feet to this length. If your kayak is 14 feet long, figure 22 feet of room lengthwise. This gives the people carrying the boat room to maneuver safely around the ends of the rack. The length is most important as a minimum space requirement. Kayaks run around 20 to 34 inches wide for some large sea kayaks. The width of the rack will vary depending on whether your kayak rack design lines up the boats horizontally or vertically.

    • 2

      Look over the access to the potential locations for your rack. Two people should be able to easily carry the kayak in and out of the area without having to deal with obstructions or sharp turns in the path while burdened with the vessel's weight.

    • 3

      Select the site for the rack and determine how wide a space you have to work with. Allow 3 to 4 feet of loading space on at least one or both sides, depending on the final design and how the kayaks are loaded onto the rack.

    • 4

      Measure all your kayaks to determine the differences between them. How far apart you place the front and rear supports will depend on the lengths of your kayaks. You may have to add extra supports in places to accommodate shorter play kayaks if you also rack long-tripper kayaks.

    • 5

      Select a design style that suits the space you have to work with. These designs can include T-shaped racks, H-shaped racks, A-frames, flat racks, stack racks, shelf and lean-to racks for spaces up against a building and many others types. If you have a side-by-side "T" design, you'll need room on either side to load and unload the kayaks. If you have a stack design, the boats load from the end. Decide whether to factor in a cover, roof or provisions for a tarp. These covers will protect plastic or fiberglass kayaks from suffering accelerated deterioration due to constant exposure to heat and sunshine.

    • 6

      Select the materials that best suit your design and skills. If you can weld, you might consider steel construction for its strength and durability. If carpentry is your thing, consider wood construction elements for their ease of assembly. Don't be afraid to over-build with outdoor structures exposed to the elements.

    • 7

      Draw the design on paper, calculate the dimensions of the rack and prepare a list of materials and tools you'll need. Start with the main framework element specifications, and count the number and types of bolts, screws and other fasteners as you visualize the construction steps. Use your drawing and materials list as a plan for building your kayak rack.

    • 8

      Purchase the materials and supplies you need. Show your materials supplier the plans you've drawn. He may be able to give you some advice on better materials you can use, the latest construction techniques and handy tools that will make your project go more smoothly and improve the final product.