DIY Kayak Carts (from a Stroller)

While I was looking to buy new kayak, I started to think of DIY add-ons and accessories. One thing I wanted to do was build a kayak cart for when there is a distance from the car to the water. It was mere coincidence that the day I brought home the kayak, I found a stroller by the trash while walking the dog. Here are the steps I took to make a kayak cart from the stroller.

The first thing I did was to remove the seat and cover and tossed them in the garbage! Then I detached sections of the stroller's body. This presented a problem because it wasn't assembled with standard bolts, screws and nuts. It was held together with rivets. Not having a rivet tool, I took a drill with a metal bit to each rivet until I was able to remove them. These will be replaced with bolts later.

I played around with a couple of configurations. I was originally thinking of using the rear wheels because they are bigger, but it worked out that the top handle fits perfectly into the front wheels. Bonus: the handles are fold-able!

After attaching the handles to the wheels with them angled up, I tested it out and it didn't quite work. When the kayak was resting on the wheel end, I had to hold up the kayak while trying to bring the handle end up to it and strap it down at the same time.

I wound up flipping the handles so they were angled down and acted as a stand. Now all I need to do is pick up some bolts to replace the rivets.

I cut a line across a foam pool noodle and wrapped it around the metal. This gives padding so I don't scratch the kayak and also provides friction so it doesn't slide off. I will attach these more securely with zip ties.

I then wrapped a strap around the handles, put the kayak on and tightened the strap. Now I can lift the kayak and roll it down to the water.

I have a bunch of spare parts to save for another project. I might be able to make another cart out of the front wheels if I can figure a way to set it up.