How to Make a PVC Pipe Boat Rack
by jreeve17 in Outside > Boats
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How to Make a PVC Pipe Boat Rack
Materials:
1/2 inch PVC pipe*
Assorted 1/2 inch PVC parts
1/4 inch thick foam
Hot glue
*we will find how much PVC pipe you need in the next step.
Tools: PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw
Tape measure
Brain
This instructable is all about making a PVC boat rack out of PVC pipe.
Part of the boat tow is a hook mount. This is optional and you don't need it to complete the rack.
The last step also has some add-ons that you may want to think about when this project is completed.
1/2 inch PVC pipe*
Assorted 1/2 inch PVC parts
1/4 inch thick foam
Hot glue
*we will find how much PVC pipe you need in the next step.
Tools: PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw
Tape measure
Brain
This instructable is all about making a PVC boat rack out of PVC pipe.
Part of the boat tow is a hook mount. This is optional and you don't need it to complete the rack.
The last step also has some add-ons that you may want to think about when this project is completed.
Materials
Materials:
1/2 inch PVC pipe*
8 1/2 inch PVC pipe T's
2 1/2 inch PVC pipe 90 degree elbows (4 if making the hook mount)
2 1/2 inch PVC pipe elbow socket 90 degrees
1/4 inch thick foam
Hot glue
*we will find how much PVC pipe you need in this step.
To find out how much PVC pipe you need follow this: Measure the length of your boat and round up to the nearest 1/4 foot and multiply that number by 2.
Next, find the height from the lowest point on your boat to the highest point on the hull, rounding to the nearest 1/4 foot. Multiply that number by 2 and add it to the first number.
Find the width of your boat to the nearest 1/4 foot and add it to the number. Add another 6 inches to that number.
Add 1 foot (optional, this is for the hook mount)
Your final number is how much pipe you will need.
For example: my boat is 2 feet long, multiplied by 2, that is 4. The bottom of the boat to the hull is 4 inches multiplied by 2 is 8 inches. Add 6 inches for the width. Add 6 inches and then a foot. That all makes 6 feet 8 inches, which is what I used for my boat.
Most home stores sell this in 8 foot sections, so you should be fine with buying this.
1/2 inch PVC pipe*
8 1/2 inch PVC pipe T's
2 1/2 inch PVC pipe 90 degree elbows (4 if making the hook mount)
2 1/2 inch PVC pipe elbow socket 90 degrees
1/4 inch thick foam
Hot glue
*we will find how much PVC pipe you need in this step.
To find out how much PVC pipe you need follow this: Measure the length of your boat and round up to the nearest 1/4 foot and multiply that number by 2.
Next, find the height from the lowest point on your boat to the highest point on the hull, rounding to the nearest 1/4 foot. Multiply that number by 2 and add it to the first number.
Find the width of your boat to the nearest 1/4 foot and add it to the number. Add another 6 inches to that number.
Add 1 foot (optional, this is for the hook mount)
Your final number is how much pipe you will need.
For example: my boat is 2 feet long, multiplied by 2, that is 4. The bottom of the boat to the hull is 4 inches multiplied by 2 is 8 inches. Add 6 inches for the width. Add 6 inches and then a foot. That all makes 6 feet 8 inches, which is what I used for my boat.
Most home stores sell this in 8 foot sections, so you should be fine with buying this.
Cutting the Parts
Materials: PVC pipe
Tools: PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw
Measuring tape
Brain
Take the length of your boat. Divide that in half. You need to cut two sections of PVC pipe this length. These sections will be used as the cradle for the boat to rest on.
Take the size of the pieces you just cut and subtract 3 inches. You will need to cut two of these. These will serve as part of the base.
Take the length of the bottom of the boat to the hull, subtract 2 inches. You will need to cut 4 of these. There will serve as the supports for the cradles.
Take the width of your boat and divide it in half. You will need to cut 2 of these. These will serve as joiners so that the two halves don't slide apart. If you are building the hook mount, you will need 3 of these.
Finally, cut 2-1 inch long sections If you are building the hook mount, you will need to cut 2-6 inch long sections.
If you ever get a number that is less than 1 inch, round it up to 1 inch.
Tools: PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw
Measuring tape
Brain
Take the length of your boat. Divide that in half. You need to cut two sections of PVC pipe this length. These sections will be used as the cradle for the boat to rest on.
Take the size of the pieces you just cut and subtract 3 inches. You will need to cut two of these. These will serve as part of the base.
Take the length of the bottom of the boat to the hull, subtract 2 inches. You will need to cut 4 of these. There will serve as the supports for the cradles.
Take the width of your boat and divide it in half. You will need to cut 2 of these. These will serve as joiners so that the two halves don't slide apart. If you are building the hook mount, you will need 3 of these.
Finally, cut 2-1 inch long sections If you are building the hook mount, you will need to cut 2-6 inch long sections.
If you ever get a number that is less than 1 inch, round it up to 1 inch.
Assembling the Top
Materials:
1/2 PVC pipe
2 1/2 inch PVC pipe T's
2 1/2 inch PVC pipe 90 degree elbows (4 if making the hook mount)
1/4 inch thick foam Hot glue
First, take the lengths of pipe that are exactly 1/2 the length of your boat. On one end, place a 90 degree elbow and on the other, a T. The pipe is put through one of the sides that goes all the way through. Make sure that the opening for both is on the bottom. Do this for both sections.
Next, take the lengths of poor that are 2 inches shorter than the bottom of boat to the hull. These will go in each of the 4 bottom holes. The next part is putting on the foam. Take the foam and cut off 2 strips about 1/2 inch wide and just under the length of the boat cradle. Glue these to to the cradle.
If you are not building the hook mount, go on to the next step, if you are, read this.
To build the hook mount, you need the two 6 inch lengths of PVC pipe, two 90 degree elbows, and a section that is 1/2 of the boat width. First, attach an elbow to an end of each of the pipes. Then, between these you add the 1/2 boat width pipe. Place this whole thing on the open ends of the T's.
1/2 PVC pipe
2 1/2 inch PVC pipe T's
2 1/2 inch PVC pipe 90 degree elbows (4 if making the hook mount)
1/4 inch thick foam Hot glue
First, take the lengths of pipe that are exactly 1/2 the length of your boat. On one end, place a 90 degree elbow and on the other, a T. The pipe is put through one of the sides that goes all the way through. Make sure that the opening for both is on the bottom. Do this for both sections.
Next, take the lengths of poor that are 2 inches shorter than the bottom of boat to the hull. These will go in each of the 4 bottom holes. The next part is putting on the foam. Take the foam and cut off 2 strips about 1/2 inch wide and just under the length of the boat cradle. Glue these to to the cradle.
If you are not building the hook mount, go on to the next step, if you are, read this.
To build the hook mount, you need the two 6 inch lengths of PVC pipe, two 90 degree elbows, and a section that is 1/2 of the boat width. First, attach an elbow to an end of each of the pipes. Then, between these you add the 1/2 boat width pipe. Place this whole thing on the open ends of the T's.
Assembling the Bottom
Materials:
PVC pipe
6 1/2 inch PVC pipe T's
2 1/2 inch PVC pipe elbow socket 90 degrees
First, take the parts 2 inches less than the 1/2 boat and attach a T to each end of both. One end should be facing up and the other end should be facing in.
Then, take the 1 inch pieces of PVC and place them on the long ends of the T's facing in. They should only go in about 1/2 way. Take the remaining 2 T's and place them on the ends of the 1 inchers facing up. The 2 T's should be touching each other.
Take the 90 degree elbow sockets and place then in the ends of the single T's facing in. Take the two remaining 1/2 boat width pieces and put them in the internal facing slots. Finally, place the top on the bottom.
You are done! You may have to adjust some joints to perfect it, but it should be good. If you want, you can go to the next page for some add ons.
PVC pipe
6 1/2 inch PVC pipe T's
2 1/2 inch PVC pipe elbow socket 90 degrees
First, take the parts 2 inches less than the 1/2 boat and attach a T to each end of both. One end should be facing up and the other end should be facing in.
Then, take the 1 inch pieces of PVC and place them on the long ends of the T's facing in. They should only go in about 1/2 way. Take the remaining 2 T's and place them on the ends of the 1 inchers facing up. The 2 T's should be touching each other.
Take the 90 degree elbow sockets and place then in the ends of the single T's facing in. Take the two remaining 1/2 boat width pieces and put them in the internal facing slots. Finally, place the top on the bottom.
You are done! You may have to adjust some joints to perfect it, but it should be good. If you want, you can go to the next page for some add ons.
Add-Ons
There are many add-ons that you can put on this rack.
One of which is a boat hook. It is a LEGO spool hot glued on to the front of the boat hook pipe. The spool has nylon thread on it with a hook. This latches on to a loop that I put on the boat. There is also a simple locking mechanism so that it does not automatically unwind.
You could also put wheels and a hook on this. That would enable you to attach this to a remote control car to act as a real bat tow.
Happy Creativity!
One of which is a boat hook. It is a LEGO spool hot glued on to the front of the boat hook pipe. The spool has nylon thread on it with a hook. This latches on to a loop that I put on the boat. There is also a simple locking mechanism so that it does not automatically unwind.
You could also put wheels and a hook on this. That would enable you to attach this to a remote control car to act as a real bat tow.
Happy Creativity!