Help me make a kayak cart

[Martha]

I recently bought an inflatable kayak and I also have a composite kayak. I would like a lightweight two wheeled cart to drag them down to the water. Either kayak can be carried, but the composite is a bit heavy (I often just drag it) and the inflatable is too big and bulky for me to carry when inflated and really shouldn't be dragged.

Buying a cart looks too expensive. Simple, and light weight is best. One that breaks down so I can stash it in the yaks is best. Cheap is best. A couple of wheels, something for the back of the yak to sit on above the wheels, and some straps.

I am not an engineer. Help me design a cart. Please?

 

[Janet H]

Are you sure you can build one more cheaply than you can buy? Amazon has one listed for 60 bucks w/free shipping. I suppose if you started with the wheels from your neighbors lawn mower it would a head start on savings...

Amazon.com: Pacific Outdoors Kayak and Canoe Carrier: Sports & Outdoors

Paddleboy Designs Molly Kayak Cart: Carts and Carriers at L.L.Bean

 

[Martha]

Maybe not, but for some reason $60 seemed kind of expensive. I was thinking some kind of milk crate (have) or pvc (have some), and cheap wheel contraption.

 

[ER_Hopeful]

Home made PVC kayak cart

kayakcart.html

or google pvc kayak dolly

I was going build one myself but the last kayak I bought on craigslist came with one.

 

[Sam]

Martha,

Have you tried your local craigslist? Sometime you can pick up a good used one for less than the cost of building one yourself.

Sam

 

[TromboneAl]

Here's the canoe "cart" I made years ago. Used training wheels and scrap lumber. Zero cost. It slides onto one end, and attaches with a bungee. Works fine.

 

[deepc]

Here's another:

Duckworks Magazine - An Easy Canoe/Kayak Cart

 

[yakers]

TAl's is good from the cheap perspective. There are issues other than price. I have one I bought for @$60 and it straps on under the kayak, I have dual wheels which help in sand. But the nice thing is that I can disassemble it and it will fit in the kayak and go with me.
So the questions are how much do you want to spend, how heavy will the total weight be, do you expect to encounter sand or soft mud? If you expect sand or soft mud you need balloon type tires. One easy way to go for price and weight is to buy a cheap used golf cart and strap the boat & bags on.

 

[haha]

Maybe not, but for some reason $60 seemed kind of expensive. I was thinking some kind of milk crate (have) or pvc (have some), and cheap wheel contraption.

There isn't much you can make cheaper than $60. Buy the cart already!

ha

 

[Martha]

Al, I love your cart. Cheap and easy enough for me to make, if I can scare up some wheels. (Old golf cart idea is good--dang I through the one old one we had away.) The training wheels are fab. However, Yakers has a point, those wheels aren't going through sand.

 

[Sarah in SC]

My dad tried to build three of them, all unsuccessful in one way or another, and finally I bought him a really nice one from LL Bean for $60 a few years ago for Christmas.
When is your birthday? Get Greg to buy it for you already. It is nicely made and lightweight.

Stowaway Kayak and Canoe Cart: Carts and Carriers at L.L.Bean

 

[Martha]

Okay, damnit, I bought the $60 one from Amazon. it looks like it will break down easy to store in the boats plus the tires are at least of moderate size.

 

[W2R]

Okay, damnit, I bought the $60 one from Amazon. it looks like it will break down easy to store in the boats plus the tires are at least of moderate size.

I really think that was the smart decision, even though it may not have been what you initially wanted to do. It looks like it will probably suit your needs and really, $60 is not much these days.

Heck, a few months ago I spent more than that filling the tank of my Solara.

 

[Martha]

Thanks for the reminder W2R. I have been at home so much that I have only filled my gas (diesel) tank twice since last September so I can just look at it as a saved tank of gas.

My timing was good, they are now $70 on Amazon.

 

[Sarah in SC]

I sure hope you like it after we were all clamoring for you to get it!

 

[Free To Canoe]

Here's the canoe "cart" I made years ago. Used training wheels and scrap lumber. Zero cost. It slides onto one end, and attaches with a bungee. Works fine.

I like the cart T Al.
I was thinking of making one last year. Finally dicided to buy. Being able to get the balloon tires for cheap was the issue that caused me capitulation. Bought mine from REI for less than $100.

Free