Custom Kayak Cart for the Beach

   There's a lot of kayak carts on the market today aimed at your kayak, but which one do you choose? Some manufacturers have carts that use ratchet straps and a frame-style cart. While others use a plug-in style cart that utilizes the kayak's scupper holes. That choice will be up to you on what you can afford, and how quickly you want to get out on the water.

   Frame-style carts

    You've seen them. It's usually a bulky contraption with foam padding and basic wheels (a combination of hard plastic ball-bearing free rims and thin airless rubber or hard foam tires). Some of these tires may be air filled. While some of these frame-style carts will either break down for easy storage in your forward hatch, or fold up for storing under your front or rear lashing areas for carrying. A few problems arise with these setups.
 
    First, they're cumbersome to setup under the kayak - especially if you have a fully loaded fishing kayak. Then, you'll have to position it just right so it doesn't fall over, or slip out from under the kayak, while going over uneven terrain. Don't forget to ratchet it down good so it doesn't slip out from under the kayak (but not too much that it warps the hull)!
 
    Second, there's the problem of storing it while you're out. If you choose to leave it at the launch site while you're out, they might, or might not be there when you get back in. Good luck getting back to the parking area.
    You could store it up front in your forward hatch - if it's big enough. For those of you that have kayaks that are 10 feet long, or less, you may not have a cargo hatch area big enough to store a collapsible cart. Or, your cart may not collapse at all. You could try to "lash" it down using the bungee cord material (aka "shock cord") that's usually located either up front, or out back. That's fine for the front, but it may take away from carrying your fishing gear (or, crate) out back.

    Plug-in style carts

    Plug-in style carts are just what they seem. They usually "plug" into scupper holes for easy transport to, and from where you decide to launch from. The nice thing about some plug-in style carts, is that when you get to where you want to launch, where you chose to put the cart after you've pulled it out, is usually the same place you'll put the cart into the scupper holes from the top to take with you. In some rare instances, if you plugged in the cart into the scupper holes located in the seat area, then you may have to find another way to take your cart with you, so it doesn't get stolen.

    Homemade PVC carts

    If you've been on some of the many online forum sites, or even YouTube for that matter, you've seen many different ways someone has made their own kayak cart out of PVC. I'll admit I'm guilty here. I made a few for a friend that resulted in a rather overly bulky cart that was a big pain-in-the-butt when it came to stowing it, or it was a bigger pain when it came to securing it to the kayak for bringing it somewhere. And the cost of materials usually resulted in spending more money, and time, on a project that ended up going to the scrapyard at some point.

 
    So now what?  Well,.....it goes like this:

    I have a friend that has a relatively decent kayak that cost a mere $400, but it is on par with some of the big name kayaks out there. So, over the last few years, I've tried the homemade route on at least 5 different versions of a custom made cart - all of them a failure, to say the least.
    One day, while flipping through a Bass Pro Shops flyer, I noticed a Adjustable Kayak Cart that could be adjusted in width from 10" to 22" wide, and it was nicely priced at $55. It was made by Ascend Products, a top name in kayak accessories with everything from anchor trolley kits, kayak carts, kayaks, clam shell cleats, paddle leashes, etc. - just to name a few.
    I went outside to their kayak, and measured the width between the scupper holes, and finally found a cart that would fit their kayak perfectly.
 
    Over the last few years, our kayak fishing club has had some newer launch sites added to the itinerary that are difficult to get to the shoreline. Though, they are "hidden gems" to our club member's leader, they also require the use of beach wheels on some of the beaches. Because, NO ONE wants drag a fully loaded kayak across deep sand.
    So, I checked into adding a set of Wheeleez beach wheels to their cart. Unfortunately, the Wheeleez hub size on some of their hubs were either too big (10" tire), or too small (6" tire) to fit the cart's axle hub. And a set of their tires was way out the budget range we were looking for. Up to $250 for the larger 10" tires, and up to $180 for the smaller 6" tires. Plus, their hub size was too wide for their kayak cart's axle.

    While reading through my "Kayak Angler" magazine, I came across an ad for Malone Auto Racks. They're a major supplier for everything related to transporting your kayak. Custom built trailers, kayak racks for storage, kayak carts, etc.. American made products from Portland,Maine and in business for the last 18 years. I went to their website here: Malone Auto Racks .
    I checked out the brand new 2017 catalog online (clicking on "Catalog" will open up a new window) and on page 35, Malone now offers their own version of inflatable beach wheels called, "Soft Terrain BeachHauler Wheels", Part# MPG513, and are sold in sets of 2.

Above Photo: Soft Terrain BeachHauler wheels. Photo courtesy of MaloneAutoRacks.com

    After speaking with regional agent at a recent trade show, he said that the set of 2 wheels w/hubs would be selling for $100. We brought an Ascend kayak cart with us and tried on one of the BeachHauler wheels. It was possible with the unique "deep dish" design of the rim. The Ascend adjustable kayak cart's outside axle length is only 4" long with a small press in button at the end to help keep the hub in place on the axle.

Above Photo: Deep dish rims like these will be a different color on the BeachHauler wheels. Photo courtesy of MaloneAutoRacks.com 

    Although it was an extremely snug fit, this is EXACTLY what we're looking for! This would bring the price for the cart & wheels to just under $160! And the best part? Even YOU can "build" this project will no tools needed!

    So, if you're looking for a set of beach wheels, and a great way to transport your kayak over deep sand, then check out these two great options - Ascend Product's "Adjustable Kayak Cart", and Malone's "Soft Terrain BeachHauler Wheels".


    As usual, keep those lines wet & tight!  - J