Kayak Cart Hacks?

[Wings5]

Hi Everyone,

We recently moved about a mile away from a sweet body of water with trails galore all around it. We were given a double and a single kayak, and we already had a bunch of mountain bikes. The bikes are getting used non-stop and we are loving it.

The kayaks, however, are a little more difficult. We have a bare-roof minivan and a Toyota Corolla. There are tow carts for $100, but the closest launch spot on said body of water is 2 miles away.

These carts often have 8-10" wheels and still require being pulled by a person, which is understandably tough on my wife. Has anyone seen or built any kayak carts with bicycle wheels? Something that could be towed behind a bike? The kayaks are 14' and 75 pounds, and 9' and 40 pounds.

I'm looking for something between a roof rack (lifting the 75 pound/14 foot kayak) and a beach cart to make the 2 mile trip a little easier. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[PhilB]

I've seen sit on kayaks towed behind bikes using the attachment for a bike trailer to go between the back of the bike and the front of the kayak then a standard kayak trolley for the wheels  - I don't think this would cope with 2 miles though as the trolleys have no bearings so I'd be worried about them wearing / melting.
Your best bet might be to just cannibalise a second-hand bike trailer attaching the handle to the front of the boat then strapping the wheels to the boat just behind the pivot point.

[moof]

Get a couple foam V-blocks and straps, maybe $20-30 total.  Not recommended for highway use, but 2 miles is nothing.

Amazon example link:
http://a.co/1DN22aL

[redwagon]

Find someone living near the water that can store your boats? Could be free if they are responsible and you trade for allowing them to use when you don't need or do some other trade/barter?

[beedub]

Boom!

https://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/seattle-sports-company-paddleboy-go-cart-gray?utm_source=TPA%20On%20Google%20Shopping&utm_campaign=Top%20Placement%20Ads%C2%AE%20(SPLA)&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=People%20Searching%20For%20Bike%20Parts&utm_content=Google%20Shopping&product_id=31129&device=c&loc_physical_ms=9032419&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj_eV67OR1gIVnlYNCh0tBA2FEAQYAiABEgJWwvD_BwE

Buy or copy. And sorry, I don't know how to shorten the link...:)

[JanF]

MMM wrote a post that would apply to your situation with some tweaking:

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/06/23/how-to-carry-major-appliances-on-your-bike/

[MoMan]

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/howto/cart/index.htm

I imagine this could easily be adapted for bicycle wheels.

[Wings5]

Thanks for the tips everyone. We're out on the water!

[GuitarStv]