How to Build a Kayak Storage Rack

How to build a 6 Kayak tree style storage rack. Materials List: Base Rails: 1) 4"x6"x12' Up Rights and Cross Braces: 4) 2"x6"x8' Top Brace: 1) 4"x4"x8' Landscape timber Arms: 3) 2"x4"x12' Upright & Cross Brace Bolts: 20) 5"x3/8" lag bolts with 20 flat washers Arm Bolts: 24) 4"x3/8" with 24 flat washers Arm Screws: 24) 3" Deck screws for added strength Clamps are helpful for holding the arms in place while predrilling and installing bolts.

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Kayak 14 years ago 133,134 views

How to build a 6 Kayak tree style storage rack. Materials List: Base Rails: 1) 4"x6"x12' Up Rights and Cross Braces: 4) 2"x6"x8' Top Brace: 1) 4"x4"x8' Landscape timber Arms: 3) 2"x4"x12' Upright & Cross Brace Bolts: 20) 5"x3/8" lag bolts with 20 flat washers Arm Bolts: 24) 4"x3/8" with 24 flat washers Arm Screws: 24) 3" Deck screws for added strength Clamps are helpful for holding the arms in place while predrilling and installing bolts.

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Most popular comments
for How to Build a Kayak Storage Rack

Kristen Hartnagel
Kristen Hartnagel - 6 years ago
Can you provide a materials list?
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 6 years ago
OK, I have added a materials list to the descriptions section of the video.
Bill McGonigle
Bill McGonigle - 6 years ago
Just what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing.
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson - 7 years ago
Just finished ours here in Bosque County Texas for 6 kayaks, Great plan, very sturdy, total material cost $150. Thank you so much for the plan.
scott fischer
scott fischer - 7 years ago
Built this today in about 2 Hrs. Great design with great directions. Works Excellent !! Thanks for sharing.
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 7 years ago
Thanks for the comment Scott. Glad it worked out for you !
Jeremy Carter
Jeremy Carter - 7 years ago
Awesome thank you! Built mine today using this video. Turned out perfect
rmt54457
rmt54457 - 7 years ago
I built this this weekend. I used 5" bolts to attach the arms. A 4" bolt won't go through 3 boards. I used 4" lag screws to attach the 2x6 cross-members. I used 5.5 inch bolts to attach the uprights. If I had to do it over again, I would not use 24" between the top of the lower rack and the bottom of the higher rack. You end up with a lot of wasted space.

The 34.5" arms weren't long enough to hold my canoe. They worked fine for the kayaks. If you are storing a canoe, I would make the arms 42". I just added a 2x4 on top of the plan racks, but all the wight of the canoe sits on the center seat, that way, so it's not ideal.

The rack is very sturdy, so basically a great plan, but don't be afraid to modify it to your own needs.
Candance Brunswick
Candance Brunswick - 7 years ago
Excellent video. Thank you.
Tom Moran
Tom Moran - 7 years ago
Built this yesterday. Great step by step directions including what materials you will need. Luckily i had an air tool socket wrench which sped up the process. Great video. Thanks
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 7 years ago
Thanks for the feedback ... I hope it will last you many years !
PatrickASullivan6
PatrickASullivan6 - 7 years ago
Just built a four kayak rack and followed these directions - very easy. I made it 6' high and it worked great. Thanks for sharing!

10. comment for How to Build a Kayak Storage Rack

SWEETMCKAY
SWEETMCKAY - 7 years ago
Thank you so much for sharing! Going to make one this weekend :)
Joe Merlino
Joe Merlino - 7 years ago
Thanks Jim, great instructional video. My wife and I made this a weekend day project and knocked it out. Only have two kayaks so we went six feet tall for four kayak spaces. We also just got a 15 foot canoe and lodged it under the kayak racking lengthwise. Best to you.
Jimbo Jones
Jimbo Jones - 8 years ago
Built this in an afternoon with some minor modifications, 4X4 pressure treated for the base because I don't plan on moving it much and I simply rounded the ends of the arms. Your directions are clear and easy to follow, thanks for posting this!
64maxpower
64maxpower - 8 years ago
Good work.It balances itself out. Clean and simple. I like
L B Heit
L B Heit - 8 years ago
Jim
What angle are the arms that hold the kayak? Probably not critical but would wondered what angle you used to keep the kayaks from slipping off the edge.
L B Heit
L B Heit - 8 years ago
Thanks
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 8 years ago
I just measured mine and it looks like I went with about 30 degrees...
Corey Mcniel
Corey Mcniel - 8 years ago
If you want you can learn from woodprix scripts how to make it yourself.
Jeff Gushue
Jeff Gushue - 8 years ago
Built one this morning. Great instructional video. I added cross bracing for added rigidity, and a pair of wheels on one side so I can move it more easily.
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 8 years ago
Great additions... thanks for sharing !
Don Weston
Don Weston - 8 years ago
Used your plans for 6 kayaks and then had to add cross bracing to stop it from racking.  Whole thing took just a couple of hours and cost less than $300.  Thanks!!
Nannette Battista
Nannette Battista - 8 years ago
I am sure that you will find good way to make it on woodprix Webpage.
Heartland Dual Sport
Heartland Dual Sport - 8 years ago
Excellent video buddy, Thanks for taking the time t share it with us.

20. comment for How to Build a Kayak Storage Rack

Caroline Henley
Caroline Henley - 9 years ago
I have had this video bookmarked for over a year.. We finally got around to building it yesterday and it looks GREAT!!! Thanks for posting!!!
Michael Mendez
Michael Mendez - 9 years ago
Very solid!  I just finished mine, thanks so much for posting! One comment on the angle of the arms, you get more area for all four bolts to hit when you go with 30 degrees!
Clayton Ketchum
Clayton Ketchum - 9 years ago
Thanks, Jim. I am NO craftsman, but was able to put together a 4 kayak rack with relative ease! It also provided a good reason to purchase a new drill!
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 9 years ago
+Clayton Ketchum Glad it worked out for you - and congratulations on the new drill !
Shawn McCabe
Shawn McCabe - 9 years ago
Great idea, and easy to build. I only have 4 kayaks, so I built mine 6' tall. I also put heavy duty casters on it. Makes it a lot easier to move it around in the garage or moving it outside.
Chun Martinez
Chun Martinez - 9 years ago
I just finished making one but I made the angle of the arms 15 degrees instead of 30 and the look more normal and works better.  But maybe if I were dragging the rack with a tractor then 30 degrees would ensure that none of them falls out when moving.
Kirk L
Kirk L - 9 years ago
Just used to your video to help me make a 4 kayak storage rack! Thanks for making the video! It was a great help!
Julie Kypreos
Julie Kypreos - 10 years ago
Dear Jim,
I wanted to tell you that I did build today a kayak storage Rack as per your basic design with my 11 year old son, as we have 2 kayaks and two SUP boards and I want to thank you for sharing your design with all of us.  I inverted the two third tier arms and made them 4 feet long and thus created a simple roof over rack, as I do not need the third set of arms.  It worked very well and I am grateful for your idea and instruction.

Nick Kypreos.  
Chuck Anderson
Chuck Anderson - 10 years ago
Thanks for sharing your rack design and for putting together such a great instructional video.  I used your plan and materials list as the basis for a rack to hold our five boats.  As two of our kayaks were tandems, I made the arms for one side of the lower tier 44" to accommodate our sit-on top tandem, I also added vertical supports to each lower arm, attaching them to the skid. On the other side of the lower tier, I chose to use no arms for our sit-in tandem, preferring to rest the tandem on its edge, atop the skids.
Fritz Lang
Fritz Lang - 10 years ago
hi Jim,
why the slanted cradle arms?
Michael Hall
Michael Hall - 10 years ago
color coded, nice!  After damaging my kayak by stacking my son's on top, I plan to build a kayak holder also.  I've got three, but I think I'll build for more, just in case:!
thanks for the video

30. comment for How to Build a Kayak Storage Rack

Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 11 years ago
JollyRoger, Yes, if I had it to do over I might only put 18" between the levels rather than 24". Lifting that top kayak on and off is a bit of a stretch - even for someone that is 6' tall. Glad the rack is working for you and thanks for commenting. Best wishes to you and yours !
jollyrogerkayaks
jollyrogerkayaks - 11 years ago
Hello Jim. Thanks for posting this. I just built one, but modified it abit by reducing the distance between the arms to 12" so I can put paddleboards on it. It should fit 10; however, the top rung is kind of high so I doubt we'll be using that much. I am a very novice craftsman, and I was able to make it; although, I did mess up a little bit but it will still work. I measured my cross beams at 5' instead of 5'7" (oops!). I am planning to build two more for my kayaks.
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 11 years ago
Thanks Mississippi. Best wishes on your project !
Mississippi Kayak
Mississippi Kayak - 11 years ago
Great video! I just started building one today...!!!
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 11 years ago
Jeff, The vertical up-right risers are 2"X6"X8 foot tall and the horizontal top brace is a landscape timber that should measure 4' &9""... if you have put the up-right risers on the inside of the 4"X6" sled runners.
Jeff Kondrad
Jeff Kondrad - 11 years ago
Jim, What's the size of the top brace and the 2 large pieces that are the up main structure
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 11 years ago
Yes, it is 5' 7" wide.
Jeff Kondrad
Jeff Kondrad - 11 years ago
Jim, What's the with of the kayak tree. Is it 5'7" wide? jeff
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 11 years ago
Thanks for the comment, Midnight. You might like to take a look at a video I made called "How to build a Rod Holder". Best wishes - and have a great summer !
midnightmish
midnightmish - 11 years ago
thanks jim!!!! im building one this sunday what an easy project im even going the extra step and cut foam noodles ans attaching them to the arms to prevent scratches! have any more easy projects like this one?
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 11 years ago
Kevin, That would be fine with me. Best wishes with your rental site. Auf Wiedersehen!
Kevin Heusinger
Kevin Heusinger - 11 years ago
Hey Jim. We're going to set up a little kayak rental site in germany. Would you give us the permission to use around 20 seconds from your video (minute 2:30). For a small promo video. Would be great! Kevin
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 12 years ago
Hope it goes well for you. Post a pic if you get the chance.
Daniel Lord
Daniel Lord - 12 years ago
Simple, elegant design—just what I was looking for. I have pressure-treated 4x4s and lots of nice redwood from a deck I took apart. Setting up the miter saw today and building this! Thanks.
s77
s77 - 12 years ago
Thanks for sharing this great elaborate instructional video. I will make one pretty soon. Tight Lines
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 12 years ago
Thanks for the comment. Hope it serves you well for many years.
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 12 years ago
Great ! Hope it serves you well. Mine is still holding up fine. The four rack option should be easier to move . Good luck getting it finished up.
abncivilian
abncivilian - 12 years ago
This is awesome! I just started one tonight. Only for 4 kayaks though. Pretty easy project once you get going. I only have three arms to put on in the morning. I ran out of bolts or it would be done now. I guess I should have counted better. haha. Thanks a lot!
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 13 years ago
@gald4540 To make a rack for four kayak's you would only need two - 48 inch high (2x6) risers.
Dennis Galligher
Dennis Galligher - 13 years ago
What would be the height of the vertical boards if I were making a 4 kayak tree stand. Great Job

50. comment for How to Build a Kayak Storage Rack

Bellybuster Bob
Bellybuster Bob - 13 years ago
do you find the arms long enuff for the sit on tops?
Bellybuster Bob
Bellybuster Bob - 13 years ago
outstanding, one of these will be in my yard this weekend
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 13 years ago
@larrylynn123 Thanks for the comment. I didn't mention it in the video, but I used a clamp and a couple 3 " screws to hold the arms inplace while pre drilling the pilot holes. Best wishes on your project !
larrylynn123
larrylynn123 - 13 years ago
Cool....gonna copy this...Thanks!
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas - 14 years ago
@BikemanforU Thanks for the positive comment !
BikemanforU
BikemanforU - 14 years ago
Super nice job. Like your camp..

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