Rolling canoe dolly, got any plans or ideas?

[dmede]

Now that my canoe is done I need to build a canoe dolly to store it in the garage.

I have limited space in there so I am planning to build something that rolls around and holds the boat at an angle or right on its side. I have an idea of what to do but I wanted to see what might already be out there.

Thanks,
Dave

[Nicholas Carey]

Well there's this:

<a href="http://www.whiteriverfoundry.com/canoestandreal.htm" target="_blank">
http://www.whiteriverfoundry.com/images/Gallery/boatstd16.jpg
</a>

But it doesn't have wheels :D though he might put them on if you ask nice :D

I've seen people sotre their canoes on a lightweight folding X-brace stand mad from something like 1x2 spruce or fir with canvas slings between them. It's kind of hard to explain in words, but it's basically two pair of folding legs in an X pattern with a pivot bolt at the center of the X. The canvas slings that support the canoe are slung between the tops of each X. Tying the two X-legs together are two diagonal braces. The net result is a kind of nice truss or space frame that weighs next to nothing but is perfectly capable of supporting the weight of your average canoe. To picture how the braces work, picture the thing folded up. One diagonal brace ties the two inside legs together and runs cattywampus from the top of one leg to the bottom of the other. The other diagonal brace similarly ties the two outside legs together on the opposite side, so that in profile the folded stand makes another "X". Easier to build than it is to describe.

Or, you can buy a folding 2-wheeled dolly

http://www.castlecraft.com/images/waw-canoeondolly.jpg (http://www.castlecraft.com/canoe_dolly.htm)

from the manufacturer (see above) or places like LL Bean. The company that makes the folding dolly also makes a [very] lightweight trailer for a canoe or kayak:

<a href="http://www.castlecraft.us/canoe_trailer.htm" target="_blank">
http://www.castlecraft.us/images/Trailex-SUT-200-Motorcycle-Canoe.JPG
</a>

But they're a bit steeper than a bunch of 6 pieces of CVG fir 1x2 stock.

[brian.cunningham]

CLC sells several dollies

http://www.clcboats.com/transport.php/cart_id=aa46267d729ef5dd88568f86f0020482/
http://www.clcboats.com/images/products/large_cart01.jpg

The kit for this one is $60, plans are $10
http://www.clcboats.com/images/accessories12.jpg

[dmede]

Sorry, I wasn't being clear. I'm looking for something that stores the canoe in my garage but can be rolled around (in any diresction) not just a canoe cart (which I am also making). I know I'm going to have to fabricate one and I was hoping to find some forumites who have done the same so I can see what there's is like. It will need to hold the boat at like a 45* or on it's side to maximize floor space in the 1 car garage and roll around on casters so I can move it out while I do other wood work or just move it around the garage to get at shelves.

BTW, I'm making that kit that CLC sells for a canoe cart. You don't even need to buy the plans. They have a drawing with all the vital info on it, you just make up the rest.

[Paul Scheuer]

I'm way past the point of having rolling space. I hang one from the overhead, inverted, and placed high enough to be out of the way. The kayak is on shelf brackets on the least used wall, above car-door level. The only time either one moves is when we're going paddling. The only problem is moving the other stuff that is in the way, so I can walk them to the car.

[J. Dillon]

I'd think twice about casters. The'll hang up on the slightest debris. :eek: Consider lawn mower wheels at least. Then you can roll it outside. ;)

JD

[AlanD]

I bought a Harken Hoister for my sea kayak, and it works great. See this link:
http://www.rutabaga.com/product.asp?pid=1003311
They're a little expensive, but I can load and unload the boat directly from the roof rack to the ceiling hoist without ever having to wrestle the boat.

[skuthorp]

I hoist my Macgreggor and a couple of Sailfish up in the roof of my garage with a few pulleys and rope. Drop the required boat onto the car.
Sails and masts, etc on racks on the wall though they to could be hoisted.
Made my own beach dolly, much like the one posted by Brian from salvage from a throw-out, and a folding one from an old golf cart .
Another way I considered was a greased wooden rail and a sliding dolly to fit under the house.
smile.gif

[Aramas]

I had a 17' folding kayak hanging from the ceiling of my hallway for a couple of years. I just used a pair of Ronstan blocks and tied the lines off to nylon cleats - which I had mounted on the architraves on either side of my living room door smile.gif

Worked well.

[ion barnes]

I built a dolly similar to the CLC type from a piece of 2X8 with a couple of shorts of 2X2 and a couple of wheels from a dead lawnmower. Works great. I welded a ring onto the nuts that retain the wheels and use a 1" light duty cargo strap with ratchet to hold it in place. Best little project I have done in a long time. Put it under the balance point and you wont have a sore back or difficulty manouvering it about.