Print Make Your Own PVC Kayak Stand

Design by Doug Searles

This article is intended to show you how to construct your own kayak stand out of readily-available and relative inexpensive PVC. If you've ever worked with PVC pipe before, you know how easy this will be.

• Cut your PVC pipe to the appropriate lengths listed below in Materials
• Working on the ground or other work area, start with one end of the stand.
• Apply primer then glue to each end being joined together. For example, both the inside of an elbow and the outside of the pipe end.
• Hold the glued pieces together for a few moments to make sure they adhere properly. Your particular brand of glue may have more directions to this effect.
• After both ends are assembled, connect them with the longer pipe. The pipe (marked #1 in the image) is measured to 5', but can be longer or shorter depending on the size of the kayak.
• If you want a cushion, add pipe insulant or tape to the kayak cradles. You can tape the pipe insulator on both ends to secure it in place.

Materials

• About 20' of 1.5" (or 2") PVC pipe cut to the following lengths:
  • 2× 60"
  • 2× 12"
  • 4× 10"
  • 8× 3"
  • 4× 6"
• The following fittings:
  • 8× 3-way Tees
  • 4× 90° Elbows
  • 8× Caps
• PVC glue
• PVC primer
• Pipe insulant in the appropriate size for your PVC pipe. (OPTIONAL)
• Electrical tape or duct tape. (OPTIONAL)

Warnings / Tips

• Duct tape can scratch gel coat. You might want to use electrical tape to prevent scratching a fiberglass or otherwise gelcoated kayak.
• This stand is better suited for indoor storage than out. PVC has plenty of flex in it, and can bend or topple in wind.
• If you plan on using greater than 5' crossbars, you might consider building an extra support or third cradle to help with the extra weight. To do this, simply create another endpiece and use 4-way tees instead of 3-way.

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