How to Build a Kayak Carrier

Completed kayak carrier

Toting a kayak to and from the water can seem like one big chore. Especially if you don't have someone else there to help you carry it. Kayak carriers make is a lot easier, allowing you to simply wheel your kayak from your vehicle to the water. While you could purchase a kayak carrier, most kayak carriers cost around $100. However, for about the quarter of the cost of buying a carrier, you can make your own.

Things You'll Need

• 1 10' length 3/4" PVC pipe
• Hacksaw
• 6 3/4" PVC T joints
• 1 3' length 5/8" steel rod
• 2 Cotter pins
• 2 Pneumatic wheels
• Drill
• 1 Pool noodle float
• 1 Tie down strap

Instructions

1. Build the cart base. Cut two pieces of PVC pipe to the distance between the two scupper holes on your kayak.
   Take one of the T-joints. One end of the T-joint will connect to the wheel-however, you won't be able to connect it yet without the axle. Connect the other end of the "T" to one piece of the PVC pipe that you just cut.
   Take a second T-joint and connect it sideways to the remaining open end of the first T-joint.
   Connect the second piece of PVC pipe to the T-joint so that you have two PVC bars running parallel.
   Connect two more T-joints at the other end of the two PVC bars in the same way.
   Cut two pieces of PVC 2" in length and connect these to the open ends of the sideways "T" on either side of the two bars.

2. Make the axle. Drill a hole in the steel rod and attach a cotter pin.
   Measure to determine where to drill the second hole. The steel rod will go through the bottom PVC pipe, through the T-joints, and thread through the wheels.
   Once you have drilled the second hole, cut the steel rod to fit.
   Slide the wheel onto the steel rod and attach with cotter pin. Slide the steel rod through one of the PVC pipes followed by the second wheel, again connecting with the cotter pin and washer. The cotter pins allow you to quickly disassemble your kayak carrier.

3. Build the top bars. Take one of the remaining PVC T-joints and attach two pieces of PVC to either end. The PVC should only be a few inches long on either side, to give some support to the kayak. Cut a pool noodle float to the length of the two PVC pieces and slide them over each end. The foam will help keep the kayak from slipping off the top bars. You have now built one top bar. Repeat these steps so you have two top bars.

4. Attach the kayak to the carrier. Lay the kayak down on the carrier. Run a tie down strap under the top bars up over the kayak, and secure. The straps will keep the kayak in place.