Carry Your Kayak With Ease Using the Best Kayak Cart

Buying Guide for Finding a Kayak Cart

What Are the Different Types of Kayak Carts?

In a market as varied as the world of kayaks and other water sports, it’s not surprising that their accessories offer different models to choose from, and carts to transport them are no exception.

Choosing the most appropriate kayak carrier for your boat requires knowing the different types of trolleys. You can find one that is universal and adapts to any kayak or others designed to carry a specific model.

Trailer-type carts

This cart type is made especially for kayaks with seats, whether inside the cabin or on it. In general, they have straps that adjust to the boat to keep it secure while moving it from one place to another, which is helpful when you want to carry different accessories simultaneously with the peace of mind that the boat won’t move or fall.

These carts are attached directly to the kayaks through couplings or rods that go into the different holes of the boat structure. They have robust and fixed wheels for carts, providing transport with more excellent stability on any terrain. They are also known as vertical scissor cars, with two support points to carry the kayak. Straps are needed to secure the load.

Foldable carts

Foldable carts, also known as taildraggers, are carriers used to carry the bow or stern of the kayak and can be easily assembled, disassembled, and folded.

Folding carts are easy to pack, and as they do not take up much space in your luggage once folded, they are ideal for travel. The load capacity of this cart is practically the same as the trailer-type, although you should consider that because they are foldable, loading them with too much weight might not be the best idea.

What Should You Consider Before Buying a Kayak Cart?

Once you know the types of kayak carts, you must look at some of the most critical characteristics and factors before making a purchase. The first questions you should ask yourself are:

Are you going to transport several kayaks?

Suppose you are going to transport more than one kayak. In that case, you need a cart capable of carrying more than 100 kg since these boats, especially rigid ones like self-emptying kayaks, tend to weigh much more than inflatable models.

Do you need the cart for other boats such as canoes or dugouts?

If, in addition to kayaks, you have canoes or dugouts that you want to launch into the water, your cart must be adaptable to different types of boats with a width that’s sufficient for any boat.

What terrain will the cart have to pass through?

If you visit many different beaches, rivers, or lakes, a cart with appropriate wheels will be useful. It will help to choose one that can go through various terrains, even the most difficult ones. You can achieve this by choosing an option with thick and robust wheels that don’t puncture easily and are especially wide. They will be able to go through sand or fine dirt without problems.

What are the dimensions of your kayak?

Not all kayaks have the same dimensions, so you must know the length and width of your boat; this will help you choose the most appropriate cart for you. You need a carrier that will adapt to your needs, taking your boat comfortably and quickly to any shore, regardless of the difficulty of the terrain.

Once you have answered these questions, you can begin to consider the most essential features.

Attachment or installation method

Kayak carts need a way to attach to the boat and keep it secure. This can be done with straps, rods, nuts, or other methods. Before choosing the cart, look at the characteristics of your kayak, if it has rings to attach the straps or if it is the type of boat that needs a cart that is attached automatically or by pressure.

Wheels

Pneumatic wheels are one of the most important features since they will be in charge of moving the boat from one place to another, so they need to be very resistant. These wheels will define how good and effective the cart is to transport the boat through different terrains.

As for the types of tires, it is possible to find them in rigid or inflatable plastic. We recommend the latter because they are more robust and you can fill their air chambers when needed, ensuring better performance on different surfaces.

Wheel size

Along with choosing wheels made of resistant materials, you must consider their size. Remember that larger wheels will be perfect for all types of terrain and smaller ones allow you to control the kayak’s position quickly.

Width

Depending on the type of cart, brand, and model you choose, the width of its loading surface can vary, adjusting to different sizes of kayaks. So, you should know your boat’s dimensions and select a wide enough cart to carry it without problems.

Build quality

The structure of these carts supports the entire weight of the boat. Therefore, the materials must be of the best quality, robust and resistant. At this point, stainless steel will be ideal, especially if you plan to take the cart to saltwater sites. Steel and aluminum carts are the most common and are suitable for supporting heavy loads.

Price

It’s not advisable to compromise the quality of your cart in favor of the cheapest one. You don’t have to spend a lot to find a quality product. There are affordable options that offer resistance and durability. You should be able to find these carts within a reasonable price range, depending on many factors.

Storage

The best thing about these carts is their portability, as many are collapsible and won’t take up much space when you’re not using them. For this reason, it’s best to choose carts that are easy to disassemble, so you don’t have to worry if you don’t have a lot of storage space at home.