Donavan’s Lighweight & Low-Cost Fishing Kayak Wheels, NC

Donavan Campbell is a W kayak stream fisherman from North Carolina, who contributed a fishing kayak review of his W300.

His wheel system offers the advantages of being low-cost, simple, easy to make, and lightweight for carrying on board. It’s all-terrain, and easy to attach to the kayak.

-”Wanted to pass along pictures of the wheel system my dad and I created for the W300.

wheels for carrying fishing kayak

We utilized a 1/2″ aluminum tube as an axle inside a 3/4″ aluminum tube, attached plastic wheels and mounted (drilled through both tubes) aluminum shelf brackets as guides and as a place to attach the bungee.

wheels for carrying fishing kayak, close-up

Important thing to me was keeping the weight to a minimum (complete set weighs about 3lbs) because when you river fish, where you put in is not where you get out; the wheel system goes with you.

wheels for carrying fishing kayak

Additionally no ball bearings or anything that would rust as the wheel spins on a plastic bushing, the axle does not turn.

wheels for carrying fishing kayak, ready to go

Has proven to be very stable and quick to attach and detach.  Everything was purchased at Lowes Hardware for little less than $50.

wheels for carrying fishing kayak, folded on kayak

No problem maneuvering any terrain now.

I imagine in a couple of years the plastic bushings and wheel will need to be replaced but this is a minimal investment.  Hope someone finds this helpful.

–Donavan”



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4 Responses to “Donavan’s Lighweight & Low-Cost Fishing Kayak Wheels, NC”

  1. Petru Says:

    This is an original concept, creative.
    Where did you bought the parts?
    I like the simplicity and versatility.
    Regards.
    Petru
    Toronto
    Ontario

  2. Donavan Says:

    Thanks, parts could be purchased at any hardware store: parts list would include one 36″ x 1/2″ aluminum tube, one 36″ x 3/4″ aluminum tube (both will need to be cut) two aluminum shelf brackets and mounting hardware (1 1/4″ works), two plastic wheels (no bearings, will spin on the 1/2″ tube), four 1/2″ washers inside and outside of wheels and two cotter pins to secure the wheels. The bungee cord runs through a U hook I mounted on the W when I first bought it and has proven to have a variety of uses (anchor line, straps when transporting and now wheels) The U hook utilizes an aluminum plate and rubber washers behind (aluminum plate should be as big as will fit approx. 5″x5″, will not be seen since it is inside the W) and rubber washers on top to decrease any stress to the ABS of the W300.

  3. Rox Says:

    Awesome Job on the yak cart!!!
    Light weight, and no worry about leaving them behind, they fit on your W
    and travel without getting in your way!!
    Bravo!!

    Paddle Safe all!
    Rox

  4. Ruthie Says:

    Where did you get the seat?

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