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DIY Kayak or Canoe Cart

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One of my favorite things to do is to take my kayak or canoe out. Usually I have one of the younger kids with me which makes it a little challenging to transport from the parking lot to the water. The solution is to have a set of wheels that makes it possible for one person to lift up one end and roll it to the water. This build took only an hour to put together.

Item List

  • 1 x 1/2 in.-13 tpi x 24 in. Stainless-Steel Threaded Rod

  • 4 x 3/4 in PVC cut to 16 inches

  • 1 x 3/4 in PVC cut to 12 inches

  • 2 x 3/4 in PVC cut to 4 inches

  • 4 x 3/4 in PVC T’s

  • 4x 3/4 in PVC end caps

  • 8 x 1/2 inch washers

  • 4 x 1/2 inch lock nuts

  • 2 x 7 inch wheels ($6/each special at harbor freight)

  • 1 pool noodle

  • PVC pipe glue

  • Straps (Optional)

Total cost of everything was under $35. Everything was purchased at the local hardware store with the exception of of the wheels at harbor freight and the noodle at Walmart.

Quick drawing of the top view, side view, and wheel assembly.

Frame assembly involves the 4 T’s, the pieces of 4 inch pipe, the pieces of 16 inch pipe, and the piece of 12 inch pipe. Hint: dry fit all pieces together before gluing.

  1. 12 inch piece will be the axel where the 1/2 inch metal rod will go through for the wheel assembly. Connect so that the T’s have an opening on each horizontal end.

  2. 4 inch pieces are used to connect the lower and upper T’s allowing enough clearance for the wheels when the Kayak is on the cart.

See the above and below images for how your frame should look when completed.

If you would like to paint your frame, now is the time before you assemble the axel and wheels.


Insert the threaded metal rod into the 12” pvc . Wheel assembly goes in the following order. Washer, Lock Nut, Washer, Wheel, Washer, Lock Nut. Be careful to not tighten the lock nuts down too tight. They need to be a bit loose in order for the wheels to roll smoothly. Note that lock nuts are extremely difficult to back off if too tight.

Cut the pool noodle into 4 equal pieces. The pool noodle we used produced 4 x 14 inch pieces. One hint to assist with sliding the pool noodle on is to sand down the edges of the pvc pipe so that the sharp edges do not cut into the middle of the noodle.

Here is the finished project. Use some straps to hold the kayak or canoe onto the cart if you need to roll the cart a far distance.