Kayak Carts: Do I Need One and What Kind Should I Get?
If you’re lucky enough to live on a lake or some other body of water, you may have gone your entire life without ever having needed or used a kayak cart. You either drag your kayak onshore, store it in a boathouse, or leave it on a dock. Putting in is just a matter of carrying it a few feet, grabbing your gear, and heading out for a paddle.
For the rest of us, however, transporting our kayaks, canoes, SUPs and surfboards isn’t quite so easy – at least not if we don’t have a helper along. It usually involves some combination of lugging them out of the garage, hoisting them onto a vehicle, finding a parking spot at a marina or park, unloading them, and hauling them to the water’s edge. And that’s just for starters. There’s also the effort required to gather up and transport rods and tackle, a cooler, a dry bag, safety gear and the variety of other paraphernalia we normally bring along.
A canoe or kayak cart doesn’t eliminate all of these steps, but it does make some of them a heck of a lot easier. We asked a group of avid kayakers why and how they use kayak and canoe carts. Their comments are noted in italics throughout this article.
Later in this article, we'll compare the main styles of kayak carts and explain where a few specific models fit. The best choice depends on your kayak’s hull, how much you’re moving, the ground between your vehicle and the water, and whether you need to bring the cart along.
Common Reasons for Using a Kayak Cart
Reducing Effort and Muscle Strain
The most common reason for using a kayak cart, or a kayak trolley or dolly as it’s sometimes called, is reducing the effort it takes to move your kayak from Point A to Point B while on dry land. Maybe you’ve got a bad back, a tender shoulder, the beginnings of arthritis, or just don’t have the strength or agility to carry it on your own. Or maybe you’re in perfect health but you simply don’t want to lug that awkwardly shaped vessel over uneven terrain and around a few obstacles and back again at the end of your trip.
Making Fewer Trips to the Car
If you’re the type of person who labors to bring in all five bags of groceries at once just to avoid making a second trip to the car, then you’re probably also the type of person who wants to haul all of your equipment from the vehicle to the water in a one trip. By pulling your kayak on a cart, you can load up the cockpit with all your gear and tow it to your destination in a single trip.
"I love that my cart breaks down easily and is small enough to store in the hatch. It saves extra trips to and from the vehicle."
Portaging
Depending on the type of cart you buy, you can fold or quickly disassemble it and store it in your hatch or strap it to your deck. This saves a trip back to your vehicle, but also keeps the cart with you in the event you need to portage along your journey.
Rolling into the Water
Many paddlers, but not all, use their cart to roll the kayak and its contents directly into the water. For example, it can be difficult to move a kayak or canoe that’s filled with a week’s worth of food and camping gear. Rolling it into the water and then removing the cart eliminates the need to lift a heavy kayak.
“I push my 17+ ft sea kayak into knee deep water, loosen the C-Tug strap, remove (the) cart and voila, all done!”
Adaptive Programming
Some adaptive paddling programs use a cart to move a kayak to the water after a paddler has transferred into it on land. That calls for more planning than moving an empty kayak. The program needs to consider the combined weight, hull support, route to the water, how the boat is secured, and the manufacturer’s limits for the specific cart and wheels being used.
This technique has many practical advantages. Paddlers who have paralysis or limited mobility of their upper and/or lower extremities may need to use a device or assistance to get properly seated in the kayak. This assistance, whether it’s a Hoyer lift, other paddlers or a transfer bench, is obviously much easier to execute on dry land. With the paddler now in the kayak, the weight of the kayak has just increased considerably, making it both difficult and potentially unsafe to manually carry the kayak to the water.
Also, once the paddler is in the kayak, he or she may require related modifications, for example, the addition of cushions or other adaptive equipment. It can be extremely challenging to make these kinds of adjustments when the paddler and the kayak are already on the water.
With a suitable cart and a well-planned procedure, some programs roll the kayak toward the water after the paddler is seated, then remove the cart when the kayak is afloat. This video shows one adaptive program using a C-Tug Double Up Cart set up. It’s an example of how a program has done this, rather than a recommendation for every kayak or launch.
With the right type of heavy duty kayak cart, paddlers in these scenarios can be rolled directly into the water until the kayak becomes buoyant. The straps can then be removed and the cart either brought to shore or secured to the kayak.
Types of Kayak Trolleys & Carts: Which Style Fits Your Kayak?
Depending on how you group them, there are about half a dozen different styles of trolleys and carts.
Some product links in this article are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Sit-on-Top (SOT) Scupper Hole Carts
This example of a scupper-hole cart on Amazon features two wheels and two upright bars that feed through the scupper holes of many SOT kayaks. They won’t work for other types of kayaks, but their simple design can’t be beat. One complaint we heard is that they can be difficult to remove if you roll the kayak into the water since you have to be deep enough for the bars to disengage. Before buying one, check your kayak manufacturer’s guidance on scupper-hole carts and confirm that the cart fits your particular kayak.
"I have a sit on top and the cart goes through the scupper holes. I absolutely love it."
Cradle Style Carts with Straps
By far the most common cart, the cradle style is usually some variation of aluminum tubing connected by a short strap that cradles your kayak, usually in the middle. Additional straps attach to the cart itself and wrap around your kayak. Some come with a double- or single-leg kickstand, some with padding, and most are foldable. They tend to be light weight and, as a result, have a smaller load capacity. While many swear by them, others complain about their tendency to fold up when you’re not expecting it.
"I bought (an aluminum) one like this. I really like it. There are more expensive ones, but this works great for me."
“I bought a (folding aluminum cart) for my Ascend D 10, and it's an exercise in frustration. That damn thing CONSTANTLY folds up on me, especially if I have to turn or hit a bump.”
Another approach is the C-Tug with SandTrakz Wheels. Instead of a folding aluminum frame, it uses adjustable pads to support the hull and breaks down for storage. Its SandTrakz wheels are intended to make pulling over soft sand easier. The regular-wheeled C-Tug is also available elsewhere for paddlers whose route calls for a different wheel style.
Bunk Style Carts
In a slight variation from the cradle style cart are these double rail, or padded bunk, carts. They tend to be more durable than the traditional cradle carts, and feature two adjustable horizontal support posts that straddle the keel and help prevent it from twisting or flipping sideways. They also work by strapping the kayak to the cart, though they are generally built for larger or heavier craft than a cradle cart.
The TowNStow Bunkster is one bunk-style option for a compatible kayak. Its bunks stay in one orientation, though their width can be adjusted. If your hull needs a different support arrangement, compare it with a cart that offers more configurations.
RailBlaza now also as a bunk style cart, called the C-Tug R.
Heavy-Duty Kayak Carts for Large Loads and Programs
Heavy duty trolleys are defined by their ability to hold 250 pounds or more. Heavier kayaks, fishing gear and frequent program use can call for a sturdier cart. For programs or adaptive paddling organizations moving a kayak with a paddler already seated in it, the choice also depends on the total load, wheel rating, hull support and launch procedure.
YakAttack's TowNStow BarCart is an adjustable option worth considering when a kayak needs more flexibility in how its hull is supported. Its bars can be positioned in bunk or crossbar orientation, and it folds down for transport or storage. Angle Oar currently carries the version with sand tires for soft surfaces; check that version’s specifications against the intended kayak and load.
End Cart
Not dissimilar to a cradle cart, and end cart slips on to the stern end of the kayak. It holds the weight of the kayak and you simply pull it by the kayak handle on the bow. One benefit of this cart style is that it doesn’t require any straps. On the downside, it doesn’t fit all kayak models – especially the wider ones – and can tend to slip off during transport.
"I use this one and I love it, very secure. It works by wedging the boat into the opening, then it's one bungee to secure it. It swivels flat without taking the wheels off or undoing any screws, and slides easily either down into the nose of the kayak or under the rigging."
Do It Yourself (DIY)
Not everyone wants to shell out cash for something they can make on their own. There are dozens of blueprints available online for making your own kayak cart.
"I use a simple one that I made from PVC. Makes a long haul so much easier."
Variations
There are other types of carts available including dolly styles, four-wheeled and more, but we’ve touched on the most common. Across all these categories, there are other features to look for, including:
Wheel Type: Sand vs Rocky vs All Terrain
Salt vs Fresh Water
Padding
Ability to Fold or Disassemble
Height & Width Adjustability
A Word About Wheels
Kayak cart wheels are arguably as important as the type of cart itself. There are many different types, from airless to air-filled to balloon wheels. Consider what your typical terrain will be. Is it rocky and uneven? A harder, narrower wheel may work well. Is it sandy and flat? A balloon wheel or track-style wheel may be a better choice.
Also check the load rating for the wheels supplied with the cart. Changing wheel types can change the capacity of the setup.
Features
We’ve already covered a lot of territory about the types of carts available and how they are used, so by now you should have a pretty good idea what type of features to look for. Another major consideration is price. Carts range from around $50 for the simple folding aluminum ones to as much as $750 for an adaptive cart, and everything in between. When choosing a cart be sure to take note of the following:
Weight Capacity
Cart Style
Fabrication Materials
Price
Wheel Type
Ability to Fold or Disassemble
Available Accessories (kickstand, padding)
Performance & Reviews
Our Pick for Lightweight Loads: The C-Tug Kayak Cart
If you want a cart that breaks down for storage and your route includes soft sand, take a look at the C-Tug with SandTrakz Wheels. Its adjustable pads support a range of hull shapes, and the wheels are designed to reduce sinking on sand. Check your kayak’s loaded weight against the specifications for this exact model. Paddlers in the group we surveyed also had plenty to say about their C-Tugs:
“C Tug!! I've known several friends to waste their money on those aluminum things that fold up on you in the middle of trying to use them. Then they try my C Tug, and next thing you know they have bought one, too!”
"(I have the) C-Tug with the SandtrakZ wheels. Can't beat it in soft sand."
A More Adjustable Option: TowNStow BarCart
For a heavier kayak, a varied fleet, or a hull that needs a different support arrangement, I’d take a closer look at the Yak Attack TowNStow BarCart. Its bars can be positioned in bunk or crossbar orientation, and the cart collapses for storage. Those configuration choices are the reason it remains my featured option for many program settings.
Angle Oar currently has the BarCart with sand tires. They suit softer ground, but their load rating differs from that of the standard-wheel setup. Check the specifications for the version you’re buying—particularly if you plan to move an occupied kayak.
"Incredible cart so much better than any others out there, and I bought a few. lol."
"When I first got my kayak, which is very heavy (autopilot 120) I thought any cart would work. I bought a cheap one and it broke on the first use. I then looked around and found the TowNStow, which at first I thought was expensive. After using it, I think it’s cheap for how great it is."
There isn’t one best kayak cart for everyone. A scupper cart may fit a compatible sit-on-top, a basic cradle cart may be enough for occasional trips, and a bunk-style cart may better support a particular hull. If you’re looking for a compact cart for sandy launches, see our C-Tug with SandTrakz wheels. For a compatible kayak that suits fixed bunks, see the TowNStow Bunkster. For more ways to configure hull support, compare the TowNStow BarCart with sand tires. Check current availability and specifications for the exact version before ordering.
Angle Oar LLC's mission is getting people with limited strength or mobility kayaking for the first time and keeping experienced paddlers there longer! We provide adaptive paddles, outriggers and other equipment to people with shoulder problems, physical disabilities or limited upper body strength due to age, injury or ability.
