DIY 4-PERSON KAYAK CARRYING STRAPS-a tutorial

[gyork]

These straps are easy and inexpensive to make if you have access to the right tools. What you’ll need to make 3 sets-you’ll keep one, and give two away to your kayak- camping friends ?
 

MATERIALS:

-4-foot section of PVC pipe, 3/4" inside diameter; 1 1/8 " outside diameter
-20-foot length of 1-inch polypropylene webbing, brightly colored, to stand out along the shoreline: @ strapworks.com
-Weller soldering/cutting tool or pencil soldering tool with a fine tip
-Optional, but recommended – Dremel tool with woodcarving/cutting attachment

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut the PVC pipe every 4 inches with a PVC cutting tool or hacksaw, ending up with 12 pieces (4 pieces/set).

2. Cut the webbing with your available heated cutting tool every 40", resulting in 6 pieces. If you don't have access to heated tools, you must remember to heat-fuse any cut surfaces, to prevent fraying.

3. 1.5 inches from either end of the PVC pieces, draw a 1+ inch line, parallel to the length of the pipe, with permanent marker.

 

4. Here comes the hard part: Cut a 1-inch-long slot in that mark, with either a Dremel cutting tool (preferred), or a soldering gun. Be careful not to make the slot too wide, and long enough to permit entry of the one-inch strap.

 

5. Insert one end of strap into pipe, through slot, and push/pull the strap out of one end, using tools like shown below.

 

6. Using a cutting board, with a mark 3 inches from the end, hot-cut the strap down the middle as shown below, drawing the knife towards the strap end.

 

7. Tie a double overhand knot to each of the divided strap ends.

 

8. Tuck the knotted ends into the PVC "handles" and pull on both handles to settle the knots.

9. Repeat X 11. 

 

Now you have a set of carrying straps to bring on your kayak camping adventures, and 2 sets to gift to friends. I store mine behind my seat, where they’re readily available to make that slog from the shoreline to the parking zone so much easier.

 

BTW-Make sure to browse all that strapworks has to offer, including tie-downs, loops, belts, etc. They can make a 2-inch-wide loop like the one shown below, to hoist and store your boat from the ceiling/joists (note: no piece of PVC pipe is ever wasted at my house!).

[Paul Sylvester]

When appropriate to shop in stores:

EMS has flat tube webbing in the climbing area. REI should have it also. I use it for back band straps when needed.

[eneumeier]

I have a whole roll of webbing, but it is dark green. If anyone wants some, let me know. Liz

[Nancy Hill]

This is by far the easiest way to carry a loaded kayak with 4 people. If you are carrying on a steep hill, slide the handles under the deck lines near a deck line attachment point, otherwise the kayak may slide on the straps.