How to Load a Kayak by Yourself (Simple DIY Project!)

Hi Everyone,
I've developed an easy DIY solution for those who struggle to load their kayak (or other boats) alone. I hope this helps you all spend more time on the water! Materials list (including links) can be found below:
2" x 5' PVC Tube ($9.33)
www.lowes.com/pd/Charlotte-Pi...
1 1/2" x 5' PVC Tube ($6.77)
www.lowes.com/pd/Charlotte-Pi...
(2) 2" PVC Caps ($2.80)
www.lowes.com/pd/Dura-Plastic...
1 Pack of 1"x24" snap-loc straps ($15.99)
snaploc.com/collections/snapl...
Ultra-Weather-Resistant EPDM Foam Sheet ($8.54)
www.mcmaster.com/1566N255/

[@barryplant2895]

Ingenious idea. What I did in my Peugeot 207 is simply open either drivers or passenger door. Protect top of door with rubber mat. Lift up one end of the kayak and position on top of open door. Open back passenger door lift up other end of kayak and while the front end of kayak swivels around lift kayak on top of rear open door. It is then stable enough for you to take either end of kayak and lifting onto the roof of the car doing same with the other end. Sounds weird but it worked.

[@completepete]

Sounds like a great method Barry!

[@srdoberman]

great idea I like the rubber mat concept thanks

[@maymee83]

brilliant idea 👏 I even have the same car!! I'm just starting out and I was worried about how I was gonna get the kayak on my roof. Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@andyespenan5919]

Great additional tip for rubber mat on the door. i was using pipe insulation but it was falling off/moving too much

[@tonyblonie]

The caps may be good to stop it from whistling but I would drill a hole through both tubes a couple inches in from the end and add a hitch pin. You could then extend it out where you want it for loading and drill a second hole through the center tube to hold it in place.

[@busyflyin]

Hey Pete, I laughed while watching this.. I just purchased a Pungo 120 a week ago and then when I attempted to load it onto my Jeep, I learned that I was going to have a serious problem with this part of it. I'm 67 yo with some back and hip issues. Since then I have been scouring YT to find an affordable solution and just today.. this morning... I came up with this same solution! I hadn't yet decided what I was going to do with the 1 1/2 pipe, but I could always throw it in the back with the paddles. But then BAM! here was your brilliant idea! THanks so much for filling in the blanks for me. I'm a subscriber now!

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed the content (and got a chuckle out of it), and am happy that this solution worked for you. Enjoy the rest of your paddling season, and thank you for subscribing!

[@helidude3502]

I was thinking of something similar after watching a different video of a guy that loaded a much larger boat. Seems I was on the right track. This is a much cleaner design than I had. Thank you 👍😎

[@completepete]

Glad you’ll be able to put this to good use! Thanks so much for watching and happy paddling.

[@paulmeek1988]

This was very easy to assemble for my 2016 Jeep Wrangler with full roof rack. Works just as shown even with my larger fishing Kayaks. So excited when it worked so well just as shown because I had my doubts. This loading system is very economical to build and works GREAT!!!!!!

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching! I’m glad to hear that this worked for you - happy paddling!

[@KenRupin]

Love a good DIY! Thank you for making this!

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching Ken! I'm working on something for suv loading next.

[@kevinkirchner2498]

Great job! Such a simple idea but very well done and effective!

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching Kevin! (And hopefully subscribing)

[@FrankLadd]

That foam is genius! I think I'll make one of these! Thanks!

[@completepete]

Frank, the foam works great to stop the boat from sliding. I did notice that it does tear a bit. At the end of the video I believe that we called out a similar product which is EPDM adhesive backed rubber at 1/16” inches thick that is a bit more durable.

[@pieterklaaskrugmann]

Clever, cheap, clean Im gonna build it myself 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching, and good luck with yours!

[@pwoc94110]

I use this same method, but with my existing J-hooks. I moved the J-hooks to the outside ends of the crossbar. I rest one end of the kayak in one J-hook, and lift the other end up and in on Honda CR-V.

[@2mcarp]

Cool idea. I might make this for myself.

[@Linsie84]

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching Lindsey!

[@MTEXX]

The elegance of simplicity. I like this approach.

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching and commenting Micah. I appreciate the feedback and hope you have great summer on the water!

[@jamesherman5708]

Great idea. Thanks.

[@jefebeans1486]

this is legendary!!!!!!!! much love Pete.

[@completepete]

Happy to help!

[@completepete]

Don't forget to subscribe!

[@akfano70]

I had that exact boat (color, too..and loved it!) I ruined the hull by strapping it down ONE time to padded crossbars (as my jaylows were in use). That shallow V hull doesn’t take too kindly to crossbars. Good DYI. Yakima makes a similar product but yours is substantial and well thought out for the money.

[@williamiwaniuk5561]

Pretty good engineering! Thank you.

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching William!

[@margan59]

Thanks. Im going to make this. Life suddenly got easier!

[@northernxpsr]

Very clever!

[@BillDeWeese]

Nicely done

[@completepete]

Thanks Bill!

[@aminnamavar8324]

Nice work 👏

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching!

[@scottteven3196]

Excellent idea! Looks like a universal solution for most crossbars. I have an 85lb kayak which I hope the tube will support.

[@completepete]

Scott,. My Tarpon 120 is 63 pounds and it held fine. I used schedule 40 PVC in my version. You could use schedule 80 PVC which is grey in color and thicker. Since this is a more commercial product it would come from a plumbing supply house and in longer lengths.

[@scottteven3196]

@@completepete Great, thanks pete

[@windindoyle]

Good job!

[@andyespenan5919]

Thanks for the idea. Always looking for easier way to do things but my roof rack different so will have to investigate it

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching! If you want to send me a few pictures of your rack via email to [[e-mail]], I’d be happy to provide some suggestions for adapting to your use case! Good luck!

[@fitzphillips5370]

Great innovation!!!

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching Fitz!

[@xTnT87]

Awesome video!

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching JT! Glad you liked the video.,

[@danvo68]

Save it for future. I'm currently use a J rack or maybe it can useable with J rack too. Let see! Thanks

[@canoebase]

Hello, Pete. I'm in the same boat (no pun intended) as many kayakers. I have a kayak that's just too heavy for me to hoist up on the roof rack of my truck, so I've been looking for an affordable alternative to the commercially-available kayak loaders. I watched your video, and initially thought this might work for my application, until I looked at engineering specifications for schedule 40 PVC. According to your directions, 1/2 of the weight of the kayak will be entirely supported by a 30 1/8 inch length of 1.5 OD Schedule 40 PVC tubing, with the tubing only supported or anchored on one side, the side that's attached to the roof rack of the vehicle. According to engineering specifications, a 30 inch length of1.5 OD Sch 40 PVC has a load-bearing capacity of approximately 35 pounds, but this capacity is measured when the load is supported on BOTH ends and a weight is suspended in the middle of the span. As you'd expect, a load only supported on one side would be correspondingly less, but I was unable to find how much less. I watched the video again and noticed that the 1.5 PVC pipe deformed substantially when your WS Pungo 120 was placed on it, and PVC pipe is not supposed to deform.. Your kayak weighs 50 pounds, so half is 25 pounds. I'm not an engineer, but having that much flex (it appeared to be at least two inches of flex) with a 25-pound load over repeated duty cycles seems to be inviting fatigue failure. If there WAS to be a failure (probably at the 30 inch mark) I'd rather discover this under lab conditions rather than have the PVC tube break, dropping my kayak on the ground, or more probably, my foot) As you mentioned, adding an elbow and a support leg would increase the weight limit, OR using steel rather than plastic. I'll experiment and let you know. Thanks for the video!

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching Gary and appreciate the information. Stay in touch regarding your results.

[@nickvuono5171]

This is perfect. I just got a kayak just a little too big to load by myself without risking some scratches and dents. I looked at the commercial products and other DIY videos but kept thinking there had to be a better way. I have factory roof rails on my Subaru Forester and I think as long as I dimension the pvc (or other pipe) properly so it crosses the entire roof from rail to rail it’ll be perfect. I might be limited to 1 1/2” outer pipe and go with a 1 1/4” metal railing for the inner pipe/kayak support but this solution seems to combine the best aspects of the custom Yakima lift (that only works with tubular bars) with my support options.

[@completepete]

Nick, thanks for watching (and hopefully subscribing!) I'm happy to hear that you are planning to reengineer this design into something that fits your application. Good luck with your project!

[@ospreymanlott7975]

Great design and detailed video!! For a heavier boat 65lb or so it's a big lift. I use the original kayak loader no longer made that mounts about 8" below my Matrix hatchback roof so the lift is not as high. Then I roll it onto my Yakima rollers. The key for me is the height to initially lift the boat. That's where the body strain comes in and that's why many get the sideloaders such as those made by Malone, Thule and Yakima. With a pickup the lift is the most minimal to the tailgate. That's why so many use pickups for the bigger yaks.

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching, and for your feedback! I've always admired the sideloaders, but can't justify the cost. I certainly enjoy throwing boats in the back of a pickup, but have found that some of the places we paddle have tight lots, making a car or SUV a more practical choice.

[@violadesmondmccairn]

Sadly the side loaders will not work on a Tesla without damaging the car as the car bulges out at the sides. Anyone have any luck adapting a side loader in some way for a Tesla?

[@marcmelita8720]

PETER IS THE MAN! Sending out love from Botswana - keep up the great content. You, my friend, have just earned yourself a new subscriber! XOXO

[@completepete]

dankie my vriend en dankie dat jy ingeteken het

[@donmoroz5502]

Very clever. I suggest drilling aligned holes top and bottom through the 2" pipe and end cap in the closed up (travelling) position and use a PTO lock pin to secure the cap to prevent it coming off. Could do this on each end. Cost of PTO pins; probably $2 each.

[@PsychonauticalSiren]

This looks WAY easier than the other method I learned. Another youtubers video showed 2 ~9ft PVC pipe fastened to the roof rack creating a ramp where you slide it up from the side while the kayak and vehicle are parallel. I replicated that one and it was way slower to build and load the kayak. I'll take pics of my version and post later. Great idea and video production! Keep it up!

[@completepete]

Just something I came up with to help folks get out on the water if the don't have help loading their boats. Happy to help!

[@completepete]

Please subscribe if you wish so you don't miss anything..

[@PsychonauticalSiren]

I already subscribed and clicked the bell. Lol, that's why I watched the video today.

[@CuriousEvenmore]

Just a thought would want to make sure the pipe is UV resistant. Great idea was thinking the same way to load up kayak.

[@arlenesolis024]

thanks for the tips..i cant wait to get mines out of storage

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching Arlene! Hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer out on the water!

[@reneepearson6837]

Thank you!!!

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching Renee!

[@brandonother3792]

I have been watching video after video on this subject. I have a fishing yak that weighs 100lbs empty. So all other methods involve too much PVC and are for lighter yaks. Once i watched this video i literally said, "This guy's got it!"

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching Brandon! I appreciate the kind words and I’m happy to help.

[@Uvsnine]

I'm in the same situation, mine weight 100lbs and I wonder if this hack would support the kayak? Did you made it?

[@ohhansel]

Nice idea. But instead of pressing on plugs you could glue the side you don't use, then put a female threaded clean out coupler and close it up with a male threaded coupler plug.

[@Adventureswithbecky]

By far the BEST DIY I've seen for this!!! Do you have one for a Kayak trolly cart?

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching! I don’t have any plans currently for a trolly cart but I’m always interested in helping folks get out on the water. This is something I could look at..

[@Adventureswithbecky]

@@completepete 👍

[@pingaunis]

Great solution. I wonder if you could have a 3rd piece of PVC not sure of the measurements only watched this quickly. Where the 3rd piece of PVC could be used as a vertical support for heavier kayaks. Nice job! Well done.

[@completepete]

Pete, adding a 1 1/2” PVC 90 degree elbow on the end temporarily would allow you to add a leg

[@donalscahill7045]

Clever idea.Save a wing mirror and a few dints to the car for sure.

[@completepete]

Thanks Donal! And thanks for watching.

[@peterbarlow8912]

Seems like it would add to the wind noise a rack makes. Like the retractable temporary support idea. Wondering if I can house a steel rod in my round bar Yakimas, slide it out, and add a short padded pipe for loading. Seen a bunch of car top loading videos and I like your idea best. Used to shoulder my Grumman 17 and slide it laterally onto my 60” bars. Cap those bar ends with tennis balls or else…

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching Peter! I didn’t notice any additional noise from inside the vehicle, but, that could be attributed to the wind fairing or good sound-deadening material. I think steel would be a functional option if you’re looking for extra rigidity, and couldn’t agree more about cracking heads against the crossbars.

[@redghost6386]

Great idea. What I do is lift my boat at one end then get underneath and balance it on my head like an African woman. Then I turn towards the car getting one side of the boat on. At this point I usually swear about something like a strap in my way or something from the boat hitting me in the face. Then i work my way to the back of the boat and put it on the car. Then I stop for a few seconds and curse kayaking. Then strap it up and go.

[@williamking2249]

Awesome idea. I currently do the bath mat method on the side of the car and rest the kayak onto it and then lift the stern.I have the same Yakima cross bars mounted to the roof rails.the boat empty is 65lbs. I like this build you did. Happy 4th🇺🇸👍

[@completepete]

William, thanks for watching (and hopefully subscribing). Happy 4th to you also

[@chrismiller4461]

Pete, could you please tell me what protective strip you use on the keel of your kayak?

[@completepete]

Chris, I used a product called Keel EZ and it works pretty well (a bit expensive). I’m experimenting with another product now that has improved adhesion, better profile and is pennies per foot. I’m hoping to do a video about it in the near future.

[@JP-de8zy]

Very nice DIY. How is the wind noise on the freeway?

[@completepete]

Appreciate you watching! No wind noise at all with the end caps on. Having the pipe behind the wind fairing also helps.

[@user-me9bg5vj8t]

Great idea what’s the max weight you’ve loaded with it I have a Grummar 15 ft Ali open canoe what are your thoughts ?

[@completepete]

Thanks for watching! My boat is 63 pounds empty. I’ve loaded it several times using this method with an extra 10-15 pounds on it, and had no issues.

[@melissadowell6163]

What roof rack/crossbars do you recommend/use? I have a naked/bare roof 17 honda civic.

[@completepete]

Melissa, both Yakima and Thule make racks for your naked roof. I would definitely go with the aero bars for fuel efficiency. I've only used the Yakima brand and was happy with them. Either brand might be hard to find these days. I might suggest looking on FB Market place or similar site to locate a used set.

[@nikushim6665]

Rhino already makes something similar out of steel with a support leg. It just hooks onto the rack for loading and unloading, its universal for most rack systems. But this works too as a temp solution if you wanna save 150 bucks.

[@joelaferriere7416]

as long as the kayak is under 50 pounds. There are numerous reviews of this product and the support leg buckling.

[@jimlcher8201]

Shows how it works at: 13:30...

[@rachaelheede2104]

Hi, how many mm thick is the foam rubber sheet? I'm unlikely to same make in UK, thanks.

[@completepete]

Hi Rachael.. the foam sheet is 1/16” or 1.587 mm thick. You may be able to find something on Amazon also. Aside from thickness, the compressibility or density should match as closely as possible to my specifications. www.mcmaster.com/1566N255/ Thanks for watching and hope you have a great summer out on the water!

[@123456785291]

I'm having trouble finding the EPDM in smaller quantities - tried a foam product from a hobby store that made the pvc to thick to slide. Any suggestions on where to get it? Checked Amazon but it was all large quantities for roofing at big buck prices. Any help is appreciated!

[@completepete]

Hi Dale - I would recommend purchasing from McMasterCarr here: www.mcmaster.com/1566N255/

[@completepete]

Part# 1566N255

[@123456785291]

@@completepete Thank you so much!

[@Adventureswithbecky]

Where did you get your deburring tool? Also would this work also for a higher SUV? I have an Excursion and the height is an issue for me.

[@completepete]

The deburring tool came from McMaster Carr online (the sell all kinds of cool tools and materials) . Mine is p/n 4289A71 costing $11.66 but they also sell them on Amazon. I would imagine it would work on a higher vehicle. I am planning to work on an SUV solution in the future.

[@Adventureswithbecky]

@@completepete ok great thank you!

[@kerrybrooks4879]

I got a little folding step stool and it does the trick for lifting high! (I have a mini cooper, but I am only 5'5"!)

[@niallbroderick5698]

FYI: I just received the 6x6 1/16 rubber from McMasters and now my 1 1/2 pipe does not fit into the 2" tube. I need to find the foam that you used in the video. I assume the foam has some give in it. Is the foam 1/16" thick? Otherwise great implementation. Thanks.

[@completepete]

Let me double check what I used and I’ll let you know

[@completepete]

I looked back at the material list and it calls out a 1/16” ultra weather resistant Edpm foam. It looks like I used two types.. p/n 1566N255. 1/16” (-0.020” to + 0.020” and p/n 8610K52 1/16” (-0.016 to 0.016”). I used both types and the both fit. If you used rubber, you might not be getting the “squish” needed to tension the tube.

[@niallbroderick5698]

@@completepete Thanks! I ended up using hockey stick tape and that worked for me. This is great, thanks so much again.

[@AmbientoftheFel]

will this work for the Hobie Pro Angler 14?

[@completepete]

Hi Jendye and thanks for watching! That’s a good question and I’d lean towards no. My Tarpon 120 is 12’ 3” long and 63 pounds just the fitted hull (seat and other bolt on’s). The Hobie Pro Angler 14 is 120.5 pounds for just the fitted hull. Beautiful boat, just very heavy. I’ve never had that much weight on my PVC tubing loader. I would use a small trailer so I could get it in and out of the water myself, plus leave some gear attached like my fish finder, batteries, etc.

[@sciencebabe]

When I try my "maiden voyage with this, I think I'll turn my side-view mirror in so it doesn't take an impact if I screw up.

[@completepete]

Excellent idea..

[@MrPhoenix1800]

Not sure this would work with my 90lb 13 foot kayak but cool Idea

[@completepete]

It might but yes, that is a lot of weight. Thanks for watching, I appreciate it..

[@daspen]

Wow, every other video just became obsolete. I just lashed a 2 x 4 on my rack and I’m done. Nice work.

[@completepete]

David, I appreciate you watching and the kind words. Glad you found the information to be helpful!

[@user-xe9nn7mw3w]

☝👍👏👏👏

[@completepete]

Thanks so much for watching and hopefully subscribing. Have a safe summer on the water!

[@ubroc]

Check the PVC prices today. A little inflation LOL

[@completepete]

I’m afraid to look…. Everything is up, that’s for sure!

[@ubroc]

@@completepete Those are current prices for 2' pipes not 5'

[@kjfishman547]

Is that Gorilla tape on the bottom of your kayak?

[@completepete]

I chose to use KeelEazy tape which has been quite durable. I’m sure similar products are available and would work well also!