: Webster Outfitters is introducing a new folding kayak cart. I would love
: feedback on my design. Hope to hear from you soon!

: Sincerely,
: Dominic

Hi Dominic,

I'll tell you first that I have built several versions of the ‘worlds best kayak cart’ so I know from experience what doesn’t work well. ;-)

At first glance I can tell that this cart has not been made yet or if it has it is not like the view in the ‘sales sheet’ in the link. That model has no means of lateral support and the three hinged cross members will let it fall to either side as soon as it is assembled. I suppose it is possible the make the ends of the cross members have stops so that they can not rotate past 90 degrees but the view doesn’t show that. Those types of stops are also not particularly durable either. You could also add a diagonal brace that has to be removed before it is colapsed.

Given that you have that problem solved I once made a cart that had the wheels directly under the center of the platform like this design. It was at best difficult to load the kayak onto the platform without help because you have to hold the kayak up and the cart vertical all while strapping the cart to the kayak.

My cart also had a problem that the cart would try to twist every time one of the wheels hit a bump when the other didn’t. The best carts are set up so that the wheels are offset well behind the centerline of the cart.

Stainless steel would probably a lot heavier than what I would find acceptable also.

I hope this helps but I guess this is more than you asked for. You know what they say about opinions and you did ask.

Kyle T