If you own a kayak, you know that it makes fishing easier. However, do you know that owning a kayak cart is even better?
You may begin to feel the weight of your kayak if you use it frequently. Granted, some kayaks are not as heavy, but if yours begins to take its toll, you may not venture out into the water as much as you want to.
A kayak cart is what you need to load your kayak onto your car or bike for easy transportation. If you have been planning to get one, the following guide will help you select the best kayak cart.
Top Kayak Carts in 2023 – Comparison List
Let’s do this. To start us out, here’s our list of leading kayak carts out there.
| Ranking | Name | Dimension | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malone Clipper Deluxe 200 Capacity Kayak Cart | 29.01 x 14.01 x 7.00 Inches | 8.157 Pounds |
| 2 | Yak-Gear C-Tug Kayak & Canoe Cart | 6 x 10 x 30 inches | 9.7 pounds |
| 3 | Best Choice 10-inch Aluminum Dolly Cart | 29 x 14 x 7 inches | 9.04 pounds |
| 4 | Suspenz Smart Airless DLX Cart | 28.11 x 13.30 x 6.29 Inches | 11.6 pounds |
| 5 | TMS CART-CANOE/KAYAK-KY001 Boat Kayak | 13 x 22 x 9.2 inches | 8.05 pounds |
| 6 | Malone Xpress Carrying Cart for SOT Kayaks | 14 x 35 x 18 inches | 7.49 Pounds |
| 7 | Seattle Sports Scupper Swift Kayak Carrier | 28.5 x 10 x 22 inches | 7.8 pounds |
| 8 | Apex KC-Dolly-Seat Kayak Carrier | 16 x 17.5 x 16 inches | 3.61 pounds |
| 9 | PaddlelogicTrailtrekker 24-inch Wheel Kayak | – | – |
| 10 | Bonnlo Kayak and Canoe Carrier | – | 8.8 pounds |
1. Malone Clipper Deluxe 200 Capacity Kayak Cart
This cart from Malone is one of the top-rated ones out here. It comes with a firm and sturdy frame which can comfortably accommodate different types of kayaks and canoes.
And to ensure that you never have to tire moving your watercraft around, it comes with two “never-go-flat” tires. These pneumatic tires do a great job of absorbing shock when you’re moving your favorite kayak around. As such, they also help protect it.
The 10-inch tires also provide you with a decent ground clearance. That’s ideal for off-road driving especially when the terrain is uneven.
Yet another thing we really like about this device is that it comes with an oversized padded frame. It’s oversized to provide you with a generous surface on which you can place your boat. Its frame is padded to prevent any scratches from forming on your device.
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We couldn’t help but notice the fact that this cart comes with a built-in stabilizing locking kickstand. This comes in handy when you want to stop during the journey or when you’re loading the kayak.
And for extra stability and safety, it also features some tie-down straps. Add that to the fact that this is cart has a 200-pound capacity and you have a real workhorse right here.
Pros
- Well-built and sturdy frame
- Easy-to-use
- Huge 10-inch tires
- Corrosion-resistant frame
Cons
- Expensive & tricky to secure
2. Yak-Gear C-Tug Kayak & Canoe Cart
If you’re looking for a kayak cart that’s easy to assemble, you’ve got to love what this one from C-Tug offers. The New-Zealand-based manufacturer does an incredible job of providing detailed installation guides.
That way, you can have an easy time assembling it so you can get out there and have fun transporting your yak.
Its frame is also quite well-made. It doesn’t seem like it can easily rust and that’s quite important especially if you’re planning to use it ear saltwater.
Our only concern is that its strap takes a bit of time to get accustomed to. But once you learn how to use it, you’re good to go.
Although it doesn’t come with ordinary wheels, it still provides you with puncture-free rubber with lots of grip. So, you won’t have to call off a fishing mission just because of a flat tire or something.
On top of that, it’s got quite some good looks. So, if you’re all about aesthetics, you’ll find it to be a superb addition to your collection.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Grippy, puncture-free tires
- 300 lbs carrying capacity
- Made of high-quality materials (corrosion-resistant)
Cons
- Its strap took us some time to get used to
Also read: Best Kayak Cooler – 10 Awesome Choices Worth Checking Out
3. Best Choice 10-inch Aluminum Dolly Cart
This tubeless-tire kayak cart might be the bad-boy you need when tackling a tough terrain with your yak. But that said, you have to note that its tires may get deflated in case of a puncture. So, it’s not really a bad boy after all.
That said, it does a good job when used in all terrains that other motorized transport can pass through. And with just a bit of care, it has all it takes to get any job done.
In our view, it’s way better than anyone of those carriers that feature plastic molded wheels. Plus the fact that it contains air makes it a great choice due to its shock-absorbent properties.
Our recommendation is that this can be a good choice if you’re only planning to transport your carrier over a short distance. Otherwise, if you’re thinking of using it over rocky ground, it might not be the best choice for you.
Pros
- Sturdy frame
- Shock-absorbent pneumatic tires
- Easy to assemble
- Great for paved surfaces
Cons
- Not suited for rocky terrains
4. Suspenz Smart Airless DLX Kayak Carrier
Unlike the Best Choice 10-inch Aluminum Dolly Cart, this one comes with airless tires. Of course, that makes it better for use in extremely rough terrain as it doesn’t come with the risk of puncturing.
What’s more? You’re looking at a system that’s built using a high-quality powder-coated aluminum frame. The frame might seem light in weight but in reality, it is quite hardy. And to make the deal even sweeter, the carrier is further reinforced with stainless steel hardware.
This kayak carrier comes with sufficient boat rests. And on the surface where your watercraft is supposed to rest, you’ll find some durable rubber pads. That’s pretty much all your lovely kayak needs to last longer.
When it comes to carrying capacity, this carrier provides you with a respectable 125 lbs capacity. That might not be a huge capacity but is surely enough to accommodate a vast majority of the tiny kayaks.
Pros
- Airless tires that never go flat
- Decent space for accommodating your kayak
- Can be folded to fit a typical carry bag
- Tough aluminum frame
Cons
- Doesn’t feel as solid as its larger capacity competitors
5. TMS KY001 Kayak and Canoe Cart
If you’re looking for a cheap cart for your under $500 kayak, you’ve got to appreciate what this one from TMS has to offer. Not only is it priced at well under the 100 bucks mark but it has attracted a wide variety of positive reviews as well.
Its solid metal frame makes it a good choice for transporting heavy yaks. In particular, it can accommodate kayaks of up to 150 pounds in weight. It’s hard to understand just how this small machine is capable of doing so much.
Its frame is made using a combination of aluminum and anodized stainless steel just like any other high-end carrier. So, what exactly is its weak point? You might be wondering.
At first, we thought that the issue was with its tires. But when we took a close look at them, we realized that they’re air-free meaning they’re not prone to deflations.
Perhaps the only major issue we could pick about it is that it produces a funny smell when you remove it out of the box after it’s delivered to your house. We’re still not sure where this smell comes from and whether or not it’s a safety hazard.
Pros
- Affordably priced
- It’s a hardy device
- Generous 150-pound carrying capacity
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Its tires produce a weird smell
6. Malone Xpress Carrying Cart for SOT Kayaks
Do you own a sit-on-top kayak? This carrier from Malone might be the game-changer in terms of how you transport your boat.
First of all, it is made by Malone – a company that has been around for quite a few years and earned the reputation of being nearly perfect. On top of that, it’s quite affordable yet made from a high-quality non-corrosive aluminum frame.
Planning a trip to a salt-water body? This carrier would not let you down. It has all it takes to withstand saltwater reactions and, therefore last longer.
And don’t let its small size fool you. This tiny beast has a generous carrying capacity of 200 pounds. That makes it a good choice for carrying just about any SOT kayak available out there currently.
That said, the Malone Xpress is not perfect. We have come across quite a few issues regarding its build-quality. Some of those who bought it complained that it broke down after just a few weeks of use.
There are also those who disliked it because it didn’t come with a built-in kickstand.
Pros
- Works great
- Its quality is good
- Easy to assemble
- Strong and stable wheels
Cons
- Doesn’t have a kickstand
- Weak scupper holes
7. Seattle Sports Scupper Swift Kayak Carrier
This is a simple carrier that’s good looking and affordably priced. It has some relatively tough wheels plus it comes with an adjustable axle.
That makes it ideal for loading kayaks of different shapes and sizes. And on top of that, it comes with urethane tires which do a pretty decent job of reducing vibrations when you’re on the move.
That said, the tires still seem cheaply made. And, therefore, we wouldn’t recommend them for all-terrain use. They might easily give in to pressure is used on rocky terrains and other tough surfaces.
Another issue with this yak carrier is that its ground-clearance is quite limited. Therefore, you can’t really use it to maneuver on uneven surfaces.
Otherwise, this is a really well-made unit. Only that we happen to think it’s not hardy enough for a rugged, all-day use.
Pros
- 150lbs carrying capacity
- Affordably priced
- Great looks
- Easy-loading design
- Adjustable width axle
Cons
- Poor ground-clearance
- Wheels don’t turn smoothly
8. Apex KC-Dolly-Seat Kayak Carrier
This kayak has a bit of everything you need to enjoy kayaking. For instance, it has a nice carrying capacity which makes it quite dependable when you need an extra carrying space.
So, if you own an extra-wide kayak, this might just be the game-changer you need for that extra bit of space. And that’s in addition to the fact that it has grooves which help keep your kayak perfectly in place.
This is unlike other carriers out there which make it extremely difficult to keep the watercraft centered when you’re on the move. In most cases, if the pads are cheaply installed, they’d easily slip out of place no matter how you strap the kayak down.
Fortunately, this particular carrier isn’t one of the poorly made ones. Even if you’re heading to a place with a bumpy terrain or even weedy ground, you can count on it to keep everything intact.
Small qualms with this puppy would be that it tires have a heavy smell. Fortunately, the smell reduces with time as you use it.
Pros
- Generous carrying capacity
- Well-built frame
- Quality pneumatic wheels
- Rubberized grip pads
Cons
- Strong tire smell
9. PaddlelogicTrailtrekker 24-inch Wheel Kayak Cart
This is a one-of-a-kind kayak cart even from the looks of it. First off, it’s available in 3-size varieties. There’s a 24-inch axle one which we’d recommend for narrow kayaks. Then there’s the 27-inch and 30-inch variants which are ideal for larger boats.
One thing we really like about this cart is that it comes with some really powerful tires. It has a good ground-clearance which means it’s a perfect fit for rugged terrains.
We particularly love how they roll even on sand. Other cheaper and smaller wheels are typically known to get stuck in the sand and that makes them quite frustrating to use in such conditions. Not with this one though!
However, you need to note that the wheels are meant to be inflatable. So, you’ll need to pump in some air into them from time to time. Plus, that also means they might get punctured meaning you’d end up with a flat tire.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Convenient to store and transport (foldable)
- Awesome ground clearance
- Available in different sizes
Cons
- Can deflate and leave you with a flat tire
10. Bonnlo Kayak and Canoe Carrier with Airless Wheels
We saved the last for last. Indeed, the Bonnlo is one of the best-made kayak carts we’ve listed on this review so far.
First off, it comes with two kickstand varieties to choose from. The first one is the U-shaped one and the second one is the n-shaped one. Depending on which one you find convenient for you, there’s freedom of choice for you here.
Moving on, the Bonnlo packs a 165-lb carrying capacity. It might not be the best choice for extra-large kayaks but it certainly is a superb choice for most average ones.
Another plus with it is that it comes with some flat PU tires. These are pretty powerful ones and unlike some of the ones we’ve seen above, these ones don’t come with a chemical smell.
And to top it all up, the entire set up is relatively straight-forward to assemble and disassemble. In fact, no tools are needed for that.
On the flip side, though, this cart from Bonnlo has some not-so-easy-to-use kickstands, especially on uneven ground surfaces. Sure, they work quite well on paved surfaces but that’s not where kayaks carts are primarily meant to be used.
Pros
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Strong and stable tires
- Well-made frame
- Reasonably good carrying capacity
Cons
- Its kickstand is difficult to use on uneven surfaces
Buying Guide for Best Kayak Carts
You want to ensure that you are getting your money’s worth when you buy a kayak cart. Here is what to consider.
New or DIY?
You can choose to take recommendations from family and friends when buying your cart, or you can peruse the internet to find the best kayak cart.
A brand new cart will cost you anything from $75 to $200. If this sounds like it is out of your price range, you can consider making a cart on your own using readily available materials in your home.
For instance, you can use a pair of old plastic wheels and wood. This is definitely a cheaper option compared to buying a new one.
Consider the Material and Tire Size
Once you decide whether you are going to purchase a new kayak cart, or you aregoing to make one for yourself, you need to take into account the kind of setting your cart is going to be used and the kind of wheels that will meet your needs.
Getting the correct tire will definitely make fishing easier. Besides, it can also safeguard your kayak from any impending damage that may come about as a result of wrong lifting.
Consider the Kayak Cart Style
Kayak carts come in three different styles. Each with its own advantages and drawbacks.
End Cart Style
This style involves placing the carts on the backside of a kayak. Strapping is not necessary here but do keep in mind that this style may fail to work if you have a wider kayak.
Strapped Cart Style
Here the kayak is strapped over the cart.You may want to use two or more straps because a single one may become loose during transportation.
Plug In Cart Style
This is the easiest cart style to set up and you can even do it alone. Nevertheless, with this style, only a few carts provide small scupper holes so ensure that the cart you select fits your kayak before buying it.
How to Care For Your Kayak Cart
Ordinarily, you would want your kayak cart to last for a long time to come. Here is what you can do to guarantee that.
Keep It Clean
We are not saying that your kayak cart should always look new and shiny as if you have just brought it from the shop. However, it is advisable to wipe it down after each use to eliminate any salt or grime.
Using a hose to spray down both the inside and outside of the cart will do but it is also good to give a thorough scrub with water and soap every so often.
Keep It Away From Sunlight
While the sun plays an important role in drying out your cart, avoid overexposure as it can weaken the material and change the color of your cart.
You can leave it out for a short period for a few days here and there but do not do it continuously otherwise; your cart will become brittle and crack.
Repair as Required
Always look for trouble areas within your kayak cart. Once, you pinpoint them; have them repaired before going out into the water again. Consider replacing old parts as well even if they are not troublesome because eventually, they will cause issues.
Benefits of Kayak Carts
A kayak cart is beneficial in several ways some of which include:
It Makes your Kayak Easier to Carry Around
A kayak can weigh up to eighty pounds and this is not something you can easily carry around. A cart is able to distribute this weight evenly making it easier for you to carry your kayak around.
It Reduces Injuries
When using a kayak cart, you are able to maintain a stable pace even over rough territories. This means that chances of you being injured become lower. Moreover, you get to prolong the lifespan of your kayak because you avoid dragging it in and out of water thus avoid wear and tear.
It saves you Time and Effort
Paddling is tiresome and after an entire day of doing, it, you do not want to strain carrying your kayak from the water to your car. With a cart, you are able to do that easily and effortlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The following are questions you may want answered about kayak carts with helpful answers.
Will my kayak flip easily?
No, not at all. Contrary to what most people believe, a kayak is stronger than it appears. Most kayaks come with a flat underside that offers more stability so it is highly unlikely that it will easily tip over.
Is kayaking dangerous?
It depends on the weather. Most times, it is safe, but when there are rocks in the water, bad currents, or it is very cold, it can be extremely dangerous.
How far can I kayak in a day?
About 15-25 kilometers with good technique and some practice. Expert paddlers however have been known to go up to eighty kilometers a day!
Best Kayak Cart Choice for us
We would like just to pick one cart that has got us a little excited. And that’s none other than the Malone Clipper Deluxe 200 Capacity Kayak Cart. We like the fact that it has a generous carrying capacity and that its tires are airless.
Final Thoughts
You will not know just how important a kayak cart is, until you go out into the water all day and then carry your kayak on your back to your car.
That said, a kayak cart is amandatory to every angler that desires to go into places that are otherwise unreachable without wheels.
It can provide you with invaluable service, regardless of whether you want to get your kayak near the water or carry it through any forested area to get to a particular fishing point.