How to Make a Kayak Cart

Kayaking is an energizing activity that lets you connect with nature. The only setback to fully enjoying the experience is the burden of moving the kayak around. The shape of the kayak is awkward for carrying, and the weight makes it difficult, as well. A solution is to build your own kayak cart. It is simple in construction and small in size. You can bring it with you anywhere, even when luggage space is limited.

Things You'll Need

  • T-joints
  • PVC tubing
  • Wheels
  • Cotter pins
  • Washers
  • Scissors
  • Steel rings
  • Hose clamps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Assemble the cart frame. Lay 2 T-joints flat on a surface next to each other. Both joints should be positioned so the arm with two holes is horizontal and the arm with the single hole should have the opening facing upward.

    • 2

      Connect PVC tubing in between the two joints in the inner opening of each joint. The tubing should be at least 10 inches or wide enough to accommodate the bottom of the kayak as it rests on the cart.

    • 3

      Insert a tube into each of the outer holes of each joint on the horizontal arm. These tubes should be long enough to fit into the wheel to create the axle.

    • 4

      Add a small length of tube into the opening on the vertical arm of both T-joints. These tubes will raise the resting area for the kayak above the wheels, so the tubes should be just a small amount longer than half the height of the wheel.

    • 5

      Place a T-joint at the top of each of these tubes, inserting the ends of the vertical tubes into one of the horizontal arm openings of each joint. Turn the single openings so they face inward.

    • 6

      Finish the frame by inserting a horizontal tube parallel to the first horizontal tube in the inward facing joint openings.

    • 7

      Attach a cotter pin to the PVC tubes to be inserted through the wheel. Place a washer on the tube as well. Put the tube through the wheel and add another washer and attach another cotter pin. Do this for both wheels.

    • 8

      Insert a PVC tube into each opening of another T-joint in the horizontal arm. These tubes should be long enough to accommodate the depth of the kayak. Slip pool noodles onto the tubes to create padding for the kayak. Cut the noodles so they aren't longer than the tubes they are on with scissors. Insert a tube just an inch or two long into the remaining hole. This is one half of the kayak support. Make another padded T-joint support.

    • 9

      Stand the frame up so it is a long, short rectangle and the remaining opening on each T-joint is facing upward. Connects the supports by inserting the small tubes that are perpendicular to the padded tubes into the last 2 open joints on the frame. Turn the supports so they are running parallel to the wheels. The cart is now complete except for a tie.

    • 10

      Attach steel rings to the upper horizontal tube running underneath the padded supports. Fix one ring in each corner near the T-joint with a hose clamp. You can secure the kayak in place with straps with hooks on the ends. The hooks should catch onto the metal rings on the frame.