Love to see folks making use of "found" objects that otherwise would end up in a landfill! Also love to see someone who incorporates canoeing into their day to day lifestyle!
Most excellent, and you are SO fortunate to live so close! Any man who can use and trust this for TWO Swifts...together they cost more than a good used vehicle!.... that's an invention I could trust! I really don't have to have one for my 33lb OT Pack...I've owned it just about 14 years and it's been with me on countless adventures. I can pack and portage the boat and my gear in one trip... although not thru town - that's so cool! I bet people are always thinking for themselves how they can sneak away to paddle when they see you! I was on here looking for a solution for my new to me 17' Grumman Eagle (75 pounds, just the hull) for fishing and paddling trips with my small grandkid. (And more of those to come, I'm sure. ) Well done, sir. And not with just the cart, but the life. Paddle often - it's life!
What a lovely comment to read; thank you. And yes, I am indeed a very fortunate man to live where I do and can, almost daily, indulge my passion for paddling. All the best to you, - Martin
If you're going to make one for a heavy canoe, I suggest you make the horizontal cross bar and the two vertical pieces as short as possible. PVC is more apt to bend under a load, the longer the pieces are. I've use mine for years to cart around my 60 lb. prospector canoe, but as I mentioned in the video, the T-joints eventually became fatigued and one of them cracked, so I replaced those load-bearing parts with copper. I'd suggest doing the same if the canoe you have in mind is that heavy or heavier. Cheers, - Martin
I'd be happier paddling if I would have seen this video a few years ago and saved myself well over $100 for a kayak/canoe caddy . . . and mine has inflatable tires which is always a pain to keep inflated. Far lighter and more compact as well, great idea. I bought a Swift Keewaydin 15' last year, what a different experience paddling and back country tripping. I do find it's a wetter paddle as it's hard to get in and out midship but cruising speed is amazing with a kayak paddle. Still prefer the canoe seat though I was very tempted to go with the kayak seat. Still like the traditional paddle when just cruising around. Always an excellent video Martin.
Thanks for the kind words, Canesser. The solo Pack 12 I have is ,like your Keewaydin, a bit tippy because it's quite narrow at midship, so it takes a bit of relearning how to get in and out efficiently and gracefully. Thanks for leaving a comment. Cheers, - Martin
I visualized near exactly this in my head except all copper going to make one up. I see people with these fancy ones and they r large so I wanted something I didnt care about and can just throw in with me. Thanks for the video.
I didn't actually chose the colour, since I bought a demo model that was being sold for a slight discount. I'd have preferred the red and white, but having had this for a while, I really have grown to love this particular shade of green. It reminds me of the green of early spring foliage ('moegi' as they call it in Japanese, which is what I have named my boat). Happy paddling! - Martin
Thanks Martin: Inspiring. I live in a condo & my car is in the central parking area thus I some times leave my canoe on the cvar roof for months at a time. That would sure save an old man a lot of canoe & gear hauling. Brian 78
I hear you, Brian. I live only about 10 minute walk from a waterway, and while that's not a long portage, when you have to carry a paddle, safety equipment (bailer, throwline, a PFD), and any extras (water bottles, day pack, fishing gear), it's nice to be able to load the boat up like a wagon and let it do the lifting. Before I built the cart, I used to do fewer casual paddles just because it was such a hassle to either portage all that back and forth, or else load and unload the car. And it's only come to feel heavier as I've grown older. lol Cheers, - Martin
My canoe feels like its chiseled out of stone, however this idea is worth adapting except im thinking of using 10” beach wheels with a wider stance so they hang a little outboard and can be inverted to bring along. Thanks
Thanks Wade. No, I have not used in on backcountry portages. I prefer to carry my boat in the backcountry because most of my canoe camping trips are on Crown lands and the terrain can be pretty rough and the portages quite overgrown. There are certainly some well-traveled portage trails however in provincial parks where a canoe cart would travel well. But I built this cart for use in urban settings, along dirt roads, etc. A canoe cart built for the backcountry would really need to be wider to accomodate much larger wheels that could roll over significant obstacles. Thanks for the question. Cheers, - Martin
It's a great medium for benefiting from all the great ideas out there. I'm happy to pass along a few that I have had or learned from others. Cheers, - Martin
Thanks. It sure makes carrying my canoe through town a lot easier as it means I don't have my visibililty limited as I would were I to portage it, and I can just toss my paddle, PFD, day pack, fishing tackle, etc, into the canoe and let the cart to all the carrying. Cheers, - Martin
@@PineMartyn the quintessential Ontario camping bird song! for anyone that's interested, you can also build a camping-suitable cart, that you can stow all your camping gear in for any portage, by enlarging the wheels...think bicycle size...and moving the cart towards the centre of the canoe. can be a very good option, despite the extra weight.
I have seen carts of the sort you're talking about. My goal with this one was to choose a design that was very easy to make, inexpensive, and would serve well in urban settings or dirt roads and which would be small and light enough to pose no encumbrance when it was in the canoe. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, - Martin
@@PineMartyn I actually prefer your design for my own needs. The other one i was talking about is too heavy. I may build one similar to yours for my kayak and strap it to the hull while out on the water. Thanks for all the great videos BTW!
I just want to make it clear that this canoe cart is not my own original design, but just my own slightly altered version of one I'd seen a photo of online somewhere. Thanks for the kind compliment! Cheers, - Martin
I was given a Rogue River 14' canoe that weighs (apparently) 89 pounds, so a cart is a necessity. I'm glad you suggested using copper T's at the base; and I'm thinking it might be good for me to put a second PVC crosspiece where you have the tether. Is that ¾" PVC? Any thoughts about using 1" instead (given the weight of my boat)?
I was wondering if I can use a baby cart by keeping most of the frame??? Juste remove to top portion and the cup holder. Keeping like only the frame and the four wheels
I would want to keep the canoe as low as possible. If it's sitting too high off the ground and you are carting it over uneven ground, it will be lore likely to tip over. Also, if your canoe is very light, like mine is, the lower it sits, the less buffeted it will be by crosswinds. It's surprising how unstable and affected by winds a canoe is when its just a foot or so off the ground. Good luck with your project. 🙂 - Martin
![How to get BACK IN when your Canoe tips over [SOLO]](/img/n.gif)
Love to see folks making use of "found" objects that otherwise would end up in a landfill! Also love to see someone who incorporates canoeing into their day to day lifestyle!
Thanks for posting this video. Great ides. I'm going to be hunting the curbs side for my wheels.
I'm glad you found it useful. Good luck with your DIY project. :)
- Martin
Most excellent, and you are SO fortunate to live so close! Any man who can use and trust this for TWO Swifts...together they cost more than a good used vehicle!.... that's an invention I could trust!
I really don't have to have one for my 33lb OT Pack...I've owned it just about 14 years and it's been with me on countless adventures. I can pack and portage the boat and my gear in one trip... although not thru town - that's so cool! I bet people are always thinking for themselves how they can sneak away to paddle when they see you!
I was on here looking for a solution for my new to me 17' Grumman Eagle (75 pounds, just the hull) for fishing and paddling trips with my small grandkid. (And more of those to come, I'm sure. )
Well done, sir. And not with just the cart, but the life. Paddle often - it's life!
What a lovely comment to read; thank you. And yes, I am indeed a very fortunate man to live where I do and can, almost daily, indulge my passion for paddling.
All the best to you,
- Martin
Simple and easy, I like it! The copper fittings were a great idea. Thanks!
have been looking at different videos.... but you're design is small, sturdy and simple! Think I'm gonna try it! Thanks for making the video :)
Great idea, now to make one for my mother in law for her very heavy canoe! She's gonna love this!
If you're going to make one for a heavy canoe, I suggest you make the horizontal cross bar and the two vertical pieces as short as possible. PVC is more apt to bend under a load, the longer the pieces are. I've use mine for years to cart around my 60 lb. prospector canoe, but as I mentioned in the video, the T-joints eventually became fatigued and one of them cracked, so I replaced those load-bearing parts with copper. I'd suggest doing the same if the canoe you have in mind is that heavy or heavier.
Cheers,
- Martin
Thank for this excellent DYI kayka cart idea. I have a baby carriage that I was going to discard. But, guess what I am going to build.
Excellent build that works great! Mark from Adventure Time Outdoors sent me over and I’m really glad he did. You have a new subscriber. Thanks! Doug
Thanks Doug. I'm happy to say I am pleased to have discovered your channel the same way.
Cheers to you!
- Martin
I'd be happier paddling if I would have seen this video a few years ago and saved myself well over $100 for a kayak/canoe caddy . . . and mine has inflatable tires which is always a pain to keep inflated. Far lighter and more compact as well, great idea. I bought a Swift Keewaydin 15' last year, what a different experience paddling and back country tripping. I do find it's a wetter paddle as it's hard to get in and out midship but cruising speed is amazing with a kayak paddle. Still prefer the canoe seat though I was very tempted to go with the kayak seat. Still like the traditional paddle when just cruising around. Always an excellent video Martin.
Thanks for the kind words, Canesser. The solo Pack 12 I have is ,like your Keewaydin, a bit tippy because it's quite narrow at midship, so it takes a bit of relearning how to get in and out efficiently and gracefully.
Thanks for leaving a comment.
Cheers,
- Martin
I visualized near exactly this in my head except all copper going to make one up. I see people with these fancy ones and they r large so I wanted something I didnt care about and can just throw in with me. Thanks for the video.
Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Thanks for watching and for leaving a comment.
- Martin
Excellent 👍
Thanks for sharing. This was a great informative video. I am planning on building one soon.
You're welcome. Good luck with the project. :-)
Cheers,
- Martin
Thank you for creating a video for this. This is really helpful.
I'm very glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.
Cheers,
- Martin
Definitely on my winter project list.
Keep an eye out for old baby carriages!
Cheers,
- Martin
I have a Keewaydin 16' with the same colour scheme. Awesome!
I didn't actually chose the colour, since I bought a demo model that was being sold for a slight discount. I'd have preferred the red and white, but having had this for a while, I really have grown to love this particular shade of green. It reminds me of the green of early spring foliage ('moegi' as they call it in Japanese, which is what I have named my boat).
Happy paddling!
- Martin
Thanks Martin: Inspiring. I live in a condo & my car is in the central parking area thus I some times leave my canoe on the cvar roof for months at a time. That would sure save an old man a lot of canoe & gear hauling. Brian 78
I hear you, Brian. I live only about 10 minute walk from a waterway, and while that's not a long portage, when you have to carry a paddle, safety equipment (bailer, throwline, a PFD), and any extras (water bottles, day pack, fishing gear), it's nice to be able to load the boat up like a wagon and let it do the lifting. Before I built the cart, I used to do fewer casual paddles just because it was such a hassle to either portage all that back and forth, or else load and unload the car. And it's only come to feel heavier as I've grown older. lol
Cheers,
- Martin
Nice! Thanks for sharing.
Very nice , might have to give it a try
It’s an ultralight canoe too! Nice! 👍👍
It sure is. A mere 22 lbs, if I remember correctly.
Cheers,
-Martin
My canoe feels like its chiseled out of stone, however this idea is worth adapting except im thinking of using 10” beach wheels with a wider stance so they hang a little outboard and can be inverted to bring along. Thanks
Very nice🔔
Thanks. And happy new year to you.
- Martin
happy Autumn to you Martin! Thanks for the video
Thanks Packhorse. I'm looking forward to one last autumn solo canoe trip.
Happy autumn to you as well,
- Martin
Very handy gadget Martin , I use one for my yak. Have you ever used one on a backcountry Portage?
Thanks Wade. No, I have not used in on backcountry portages. I prefer to carry my boat in the backcountry because most of my canoe camping trips are on Crown lands and the terrain can be pretty rough and the portages quite overgrown. There are certainly some well-traveled portage trails however in provincial parks where a canoe cart would travel well. But I built this cart for use in urban settings, along dirt roads, etc. A canoe cart built for the backcountry would really need to be wider to accomodate much larger wheels that could roll over significant obstacles.
Thanks for the question.
Cheers,
- Martin
Now That, Martin is 1 handy lil rig. Aint U-Tube great for sharing ? Thanks ATB T God Bless
It's a great medium for benefiting from all the great ideas out there. I'm happy to pass along a few that I have had or learned from others.
Cheers,
- Martin
That is a nice cart, thanks.
Thanks. It sure makes carrying my canoe through town a lot easier as it means I don't have my visibililty limited as I would were I to portage it, and I can just toss my paddle, PFD, day pack, fishing tackle, etc, into the canoe and let the cart to all the carrying.
Cheers,
- Martin
Thank you!
You are welcome.:-)🙂
Thanks for leaving a comment.
-Martin
who is the bird in the beginning. I recall that from canoe trips.
I made one similar to that and my tees gave up. Good advice to use copper.
Awesome video my friend! Thanks for sharing!
Stay Blessed!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Looking forward to more content from you soon.
Cheers,
- Martin
What with pvc pipe did you use
Great talk, why does your video continuously go dark and light?
My cat went nuts at the high-pitched whistling at the start.
I have a half-full oil tank to move, by hand. I'll be adapting the principle of this tool to move it.
Nice video and cart design ... One question for ya... What diameter size is the pvc you used? Thank you!
What kind of bird song is that at the beginning? White throated sparrow?
Yes, it is. 🙂
@@PineMartyn the quintessential Ontario camping bird song!
for anyone that's interested, you can also build a camping-suitable cart, that you can stow all your camping gear in for any portage, by enlarging the wheels...think bicycle size...and moving the cart towards the centre of the canoe. can be a very good option, despite the extra weight.
Brilliant
How is the steel alle secure in the pipe , they are different diameters
My buddy made a similar cart but it was a bit over engineered as his intent was to use it as part of towing a canoe behind a bicycle.
I have seen carts of the sort you're talking about. My goal with this one was to choose a design that was very easy to make, inexpensive, and would serve well in urban settings or dirt roads and which would be small and light enough to pose no encumbrance when it was in the canoe.
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
- Martin
@@PineMartyn I actually prefer your design for my own needs. The other one i was talking about is too heavy. I may build one similar to yours for my kayak and strap it to the hull while out on the water. Thanks for all the great videos BTW!
I just want to make it clear that this canoe cart is not my own original design, but just my own slightly altered version of one I'd seen a photo of online somewhere.
Thanks for the kind compliment!
Cheers,
- Martin
Thanks for the info great vid!
I was given a Rogue River 14' canoe that weighs (apparently) 89 pounds, so a cart is a necessity. I'm glad you suggested using copper T's at the base; and I'm thinking it might be good for me to put a second PVC crosspiece where you have the tether. Is that ¾" PVC? Any thoughts about using 1" instead (given the weight of my boat)?
thank you
I was wondering if I can use a baby cart by keeping most of the frame??? Juste remove to top portion and the cup holder. Keeping like only the frame and the four wheels
I would want to keep the canoe as low as possible. If it's sitting too high off the ground and you are carting it over uneven ground, it will be lore likely to tip over. Also, if your canoe is very light, like mine is, the lower it sits, the less buffeted it will be by crosswinds. It's surprising how unstable and affected by winds a canoe is when its just a foot or so off the ground.
Good luck with your project. 🙂
- Martin
5k canoe with DIY cart. I like it hahahaha! Great! I wish I'd seen this video before I bought my cart. Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge!
You told us all the obvious things that we can deduce by looking at it, yet you didn't tell us how the axle is supported inside the pvc tube.
The axle isn't supported by anything. It just rests inside the PVC pipe, as there's very little friction involved.