How to Build a Free Standing Kayak Rack

Kayaking, also known as paddling, is a sport that uses a long, narrow boat for moving on the water surface. A kayak is made from plastic, wood, fiberglass or neoprene and has a covered deck and a cockpit for the paddler. A kayak rack will help support and protect your boat when you're not using it or when you're storing it.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape Power saw 2 x 4 wood planks, 8 feet long, 4 pieces 2 x 4 wood planks, 4 feet long, 4 pieces Power drill Screws Screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your kayak to determine the size of your freestanding kayak rack. A kayak is usually around 10 feet long, so an 8-foot-long rack will be compatible with most kayak models. Just subtract two feet from the length of your kayak to determine the length of the stand. Determine the width of your kayak rack the same way.

    • 2

      Decide on the final dimensions and the design of the kayak rack. If you have at least two kayaks, it is appropriate to make the stand about four feet high. Remember that a freestanding kayak stand can be very simple and basically just a rectangle shape.

    • 3

      Cut 2 x 4 wood planks with a power saw to get four 8-foot-long and four 4-foot-long pieces of lumber. These boards will make the sides of the rectangle shape of your freestanding kayak rack.

    • 4

      Attach the 4-foot piece to the 8-foot piece by screwing them together on the ends to create legs for the kayak stand. The shorter piece needs to be flush with the end of the longer piece, at a 90 degree angle. Use a power drill to make the holes for the screws and make sure to use at least four screws per leg to ensure the kayak rack is stable and firm. At this point you will have four L-shaped parts of the stand.

    • 5

      Tighten the screws with a screwdriver to make sure the legs of the kayak stand won’t move and the whole structure is steady and secure.

    • 6

      Finish the freestanding kayak rack by adding cross supports to the legs. Attach the cross braces to the opposite sides of the legs. Use a power saw, screws and a screwdriver for this part of the task as well.

      You have room to store two kayaks on your stand, one on the top part and the other on the bottom part.