We would like to know if anyone has experience with building a free standing, outdoor kayak storage rack capable of holding three or more double kayaks. If so, we are interested in a copy of the plans they used (however rough). *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
If it doesn' have to go up against a wall, the easiest way to do this is called a double A-frame design. Simply take 2 2x4's. and cut an acute angle on one end of each (sorry, I don't know the exact angle, just make sure that the A-base is wide enough to support the kayaks if their is not equal weight on each side). Bolt the 2x4's together at the angled ends using a 3/8x8 galvinized carriage bolt. Then simply bolt (I usually use 1'2"x5" galvinized carriage bolts here) two additional 2x4x8's (the length of these will vary depending on the width of the base, and how many kayaks you want to put on each side) across the A-frame, one about 24" from the ground, the other about 60" from the ground. Repeat this process and now you have the legs. Next, you have to join the two A-frames together. Decide how far apart you want the supports to be. This should be based on the length of the kayaks, but as a general rule, 8-12 feet should be plenty. Here's a couple of ways to join the two A-frames: Method One:, if you want an easy, but not so attractive way, take two sheets of 1/2" Ply, and cut about a foot off the width(making them 3'x8'). Glue and screw each end to the inside to the A-frames ( being careful to make sure that there are a few inches between the edges of the ply, and the ground). Next you have to put a couple of 2x4 spacers between the two peices of ply at the top and on the bottem to reduce future warping. Again, this is the easy way, but its not so attractive, and often this method takes away a spot where you could other wise put a kayak (most of the time with the double A-frame design, you can put an additional kayak on the bottem tier, between the two legs of the base). Method Two: (this is the one I recomend), run two 2x4's of the desired length (the desired length being the distance you want the 2 A-frames to be apart from each other). across the bottem tier. Here's what I mean - If you stand the two A-frames up facing each other the desired distance apart (for explaination purposes I'll use 12 feet), Then all you would do is set each end of the 2x4x12's down on the bottem teir of the respective A-frame, just on the inside of the legs of the "A", and bolt them in place. Do the same thing on the top tier. Lastly (and perhaps most importantly), Run a 45 degree brace from the bottem 2x4x12's down to just above the ground on each leg. This is a sturdy (albeit quite heavy) method of building a boat rack for canoes or kayaks. Rough Parts list: 6 - 2x4x8's (use treated since it's going to be outside). 2 - 3/8"x8" galvinized carraige bolts. 4 - 1/2"x5" galvinized carrage bolts. 2 - 4'x8'x1/2" sheets of ply (method one). 4 - 2x4x? (just decide how far apart you want your supports for your kayak to be) (Method Two) 4 - 2x4x2' (for bracing the corners) Plus plenty of wood glue, and screws (if you use method one). and Foam to pad the supports. I also have a fairly easy plan for stand that has to be next to a wall but its a bit more detailed. I'll be glad to pass it on though. Hope this helps: Rich anneled_at_sprynet.com wrote: >We would like to know if anyone has experience with building a free >standing, outdoor kayak storage rack capable of holding three or more >double kayaks. If so, we are interested in a copy of the plans they used >(however rough). *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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