I am almost finished the boat barn that I am building, and now it is time to start designing the rack method for storing our thirteen kayaks and canoes.
I was wondering if any one has used PVC piping for their racks, and if so what diameter?
I figure it would be cheaper than using 2" x 4"s
Suggestions, thoughts, etc.
Cheers,
JackL
2 x 4s are hard to beat for cheap
and durability
Checking out at Lowes with a bunch of PVC Ts and Ls can lead to mild sticker shock
Go thick
Tried to build a simple one with some 2 inch PVC I had acquired for free. Wasn’t very sturdy. And yes, buying all the assorted joints added up to more than I expected.
Check out the outfitters
They know how to stack boats.
http://www.bluemountainoutfitters.net/Photos/shop/0802_19.jpg
Flat wall
In regards to that pic, the support has an A frame. Has anyone done the same system using a flat garage wall? I believe storing the kayak on its side is the best.
Home Depot large wall brackets…
Those things are only a few bucks each and even come padded with a bit of pipe insulation. I just drill them into my garage wall studs and I’m good to go. I’ve got 4 kayaks stacked up on my garage right now on their sides. It’s ridiculously easy, cheap, and effective.
I think you might have mentioned that
in another post.
What is the length of the arm on them?
I picked up some brackets at Lowes today to experiment with, but the arm is only 14 inches, so I’ll have to add a piece of 2x4 to the top.
They were the longest brackets Lowes had.
I’ll be holding about a dozen canoes and kayaks, so I am looking for the easiest installation and cheapest.
Cheers,
JackL
Build a couple of these
http://home.comcast.net/~bernieswanson/Kayak-Rack-for-six-web.jpg
The hold 6 each and you can put wheels on them. easy to modify. a little longer across and you could put 2 boats on each.
cheap storage hooks
I use the storage hooks from Lowes or Home Depot…about $5 each. Works well for my poly sea kayaks and rec boats. I have a low ceiling cinderblock garage, so I framed in a short area in the center, and hang two kayaks on each side. The canoe is on the floor upside down on some 6x6’s
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc60/kayaking_photo/IMGP0705.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc60/kayaking_photo/IMGP0703.jpg
see mill’s post and pictures…
Those are the same brackets that I use.
2X4s
are the way to go. We have a “boat house” that houses 10 kayaks. I made “racks by notching 24” 2X4s to half depth (3/4") and the depth of the studs (3 1/2") and screwed them to the studs with deck screws (pre drill) I reinforced them with a small triangle of scrap plywood under each 2X4 “arm”. I even used white wood 2X4s to keep costs down.
1 x 4s
2 x 4s are heavier than needed. 1 x 4s are plenty strong, and depending on where you live and buy, should be significantly cheaper that 2 x 4s.
Poplar is much nicer than pine, and around here is only a little bit more expensive.
My made from an Ikea bed frame single boat garage wall rack:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/560539316UHCTKw
Both…
I have an a-frame rack on wheels built out of 2x4s, along with some Home Depot ladder hooks on the garage wall. I have since added foam to all the arms as well.
http://www.virginiaseakayakcenter.com/images/photos/garage_rack_1.jpg.
Having it on wheels is great, plus I have room for storage between the bottom boats. If needed, I can swap out the arms for longer versions and double up on the boats.
pvc conduit
I think used 1 1/2. Just get 4 pre bent 90’s and a 10’ of pipe. Glue the 90’s together to make a U and cut a straight piece 2’ long. I drilled 2 holes in the straight piece and lagged then to the wall. I have 4 kayaks on these now for 6 years. Won’t scrap the kayak and thick wall pvc. And cheap to make.
The main thing I have against that set
up is the fact that you have to slide the boats on from the end.
I want to be able to put them on from the side or the end.
I am leaning toward wall brackets on both sides of the barn, and a “T” bar set up in the center.
thanks for sharing though.
Cheers,
jackL
Nice neat job !
That is what I will probably use in the center of the barn.
I like the shark on your boat.
I am assuming that one is yours.
You need to put a mermaid on “the brides”
Cheers,
jackL
What do those hooks cost ? and …
what department do you find them in?
They look perfect for the kayaks.
thanks,
jackL
Thanks to everyone for your ideas and
help.
There are a lot of good ideas and money saving tips here.
I’ll probably use a mixture of them since I am supporting both canoes and kayaks.
Cheers,
JackL
Hey JackL
The shark boat is an old kayak I keep around for beginners tdo play around in. Here is a photoshop “rendition” I did to prototype my idea.
http://home.comcast.net/~bernieswanson/jaws.jpg
I was thinking about adding a grey plactic shark fin in the fordeck but it might get in the way of paddling…
Good luck on your rack quest. I think a combo like the t-rack for 6 I made and those cheap bracketes on the sides will get you a dozen boats in 8 to 12 food wide shed.
