Standard Kayak Cart

STANDARD KAYAK CART: INTRO

Fishing Kayak Carts come in tons of different styles. Some are built as Sit on Top Kayak Cart models and others are designed as the Sit In Kayak Cart style.  Both types of fishing kayak cart are written about extensively on KFC’s Kayak Cart Ultimate Guide. KFC suggests that you spend some time on our Ultimate Guide prior to learning about the Standard Kayak Cart, which of course is the focus of this KFC article.

Standard Kayak Cart

Unbiased Review

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Standard Kayak Cart

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Parts of a Kayak Cart

Parts of a Kayak Cart

Overview

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Shortcut to Standard Kayak Cart Review

Kayak carts are becoming more and more common and that’s why we have decided to write this article about the basic or standard kayak cart. What is it? How does it work? This article includes all of the important details that you’ll need to know to ensure that you properly use any standard kayak cart. We’ve streamlined this otherwise complex subject into a number of separate categories.

First, we mention a little bit about the basics of a kayak cart. Next, we have a short tutorial checklist that you can use as a guide for making sure that you’re using a standard kayak cart in the way it is best used for kayak fishing. Then, we do a deep dive into some of the important features that you’ll want to find in any standard kayak cart and provide some explanation as to why we feel they are critical components. After that, we include a link to a product page for one of our favorite basic or standard kayak carts where you can find out more information about the particular cart. Finally, we include a brief story about our own experiences using a kayak cart for kayak fishing!

Fishing kayak carts are the best way to move your fishing kayak along long distances and bumpy paths. The Standard Kayak Cart is built with two large wheels that are connected to a centralized axle. A V-Necked kayak cradle sits atop the centralized axle. The large wheels (seen above) allow the fishing kayak to be pushed with minimal effort, and the V-Necked cradle (with included straps) is designed to keep the fishing kayak safely nestled into the Standard Kayak Cart frame.

How to Use a Standard Kayak Cart

Standard Kayak Cart

This short checklist was written as a guide to help you learn how to properly use a standard kayak cart! Follow these steps and you should be guaranteed a safe and easy trip to and from the water!

  1. It is always best to begin by assembling a standard kayak cart into its upright position. We always like to do this right next to the fishing kayak, that way its nearby when you get ready to lift it into place!
  2. Double check to make certain that the wheels are safely connected to the axle. The bolts at the end of the axle should be safely secured and in place.
  3. Now its time to make sure that the kayak cart’s wheels are inflated to the appropriate pressure. If you have non-inflatable wheels, you’ll merely need to confirm that there is no cracking or irregular shaping.
  4. Now its time to create the “cradle”. Open the kayak cart by pushing apart its arms such that a cradle is formed.
  5. A properly created cradle is one that is centered directly above the kayak cart’s axle.
  6. Here is where we like to again confirm the stability and proper assembly of the kayak cart. Gently put pressure on the arms of the kayak cart, making sure that all of the joints are nice and tight.
  7. Locate the kayak cart near the kayak’s hull. Doing so will make for an easy lift of the kayak up and over the kayak cart’s cradle.
  8. Carefully lift the kayak with both hands.
  9. Carefully maneuver the kayak’s hull so that it is located just above the kayak cart cradle.
  10. Now you can slowly lower the kayak into the kayak cart’s arms. Be careful that you don’t slam it down.
  11. This is the best time to make sure that your kayak is correctly balanced on the kayak cart. Balance is the most important aspect for any kayak cart.
  12. You should always distribute the weight of your fishing kayak as evenly as possible. Appropriate balance always makes it easier to transport the kayak to and from the water!
  13. The final step is one of the most important for safety! Attach the kayak cart straps around the frame of the kayak.  Securely tightening the straps gives you certainty as to your kayak’s stability when you are going over bumpy roads or paths!

Scupper Holes
standard kayak cart

One important difference between Sit On kayak carts and Sit on Top kayak carts is whether scupper holes are present. The Standard Kayak Cart does not need scupper holes for effective use. Instead, the fishing kayak lays on top of the V-Necked frame, just like the image below:

The Standard Kayak Cart is a very simple design. You simply do not need any special kayak fishing experience or ability to use the Standard Kayak Cart. Just lower the fishing kayak slowly into the V-Necked arms, tighten the kayak to the frame with the ropes or straps that are included, and then you are on your way to the water! In this article, we look at some of the most critical features of the Standard Kayak Cart. Then, we make a recommendation  about whether we believe it could be a good fit for KFC readers in their own kayak fishing experiences!

Flexibility 

At the top of all important features to look for in any kayak fishing accessory is flexibility. The Standard Kayak Cart is abundantly flexible, check out the image above! The Standard Kayak Cart quickly folds flat for easy storage under your bed, in the shed, or in the trunk of your car. No special tools are required!

Another extremely important feature? Presence of heavy duty straps or ropes. The Standard Kayak Cart uses ropes and straps to secure the fishing kayak to the kayak cart. The V-Necked frame, along with gravity, ensures that the fishing kayak stays securely attached to the kayak cart’s frame. That said, heavy duty straps are a welcome fail safe, and we’ll take all the help we can get!

What else? Well, probably the most critical in terms of convenience as far as the kayak fisherman is concerned, is the presence of a spring loaded support stand. This type of stand essentially operates to stabilize the kayak cart during loading and unloading. KFC has included a close up shot of this very important feature below. Take a look at the extra support it provides:

Standard Kayak Cart

A spring loaded support stand keeps the kayak cart steady when a kayak fisherman is in the somewhat dangerous position of loading and unloading the fishing kayak. Once loaded or unloaded, the support stand is easily pushed back to its “closed” position. Then, the kayak cart can be used without any interference from the support stand whatsoever.

Tires 

Yet another important feature, undoubtedly the “primary” feature based on the opinions of many KFC readers, is the size, texture and durability of the Standard Kayak Cart wheels. It should come as no surprise that the larger the wheel, the lesser amount of effort needed to move the fishing kayak from Location A to Location B. We work hard enough to catch fish, let’s let something else handle the work of getting to the water!

Standard Kayak Cart

KFC always recommends that its readers consider buying a kayak cart with wheels larger than 9″ by 3″. Maybe even consider a larger wheel if your kayak cart will traverse sand or loose gravel. One final tip: Knobby tires will tend to last longer than smooth tires. This is because they more easily handle non-level surfaces by distributing “wheel-wear” in a more uniform manner. Heading to the beach? Take a look at the Kayak Beach Cart!

Standard Kayak Cart: Buy the Best Model

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Perfect for Kayak Fishing!

A kayak cart is one piece of kayak fishing gear where you do not want to try to save a few bucks. Think about it. You’ve already spent hundreds of dollars on your fishing kayak, and it is likely that you’ll have several hundred, if not several thousands, of dollars worth of fishing equipment stored in the fishing kayak while you are moving it via the cart. If you’ve decided to purchase a low quality cart, and if the cart breaks down on you when you need to rely on it most, you could very well be in a situation where you’ve paid for your mistake many times over.

The standard kayak cart that we’ve showcased above has all of the features that KFC deems absolutely critical in terms of what distinguishes a good kayak cart from a bad one. It is flexible, allowing you to easily bring it along with you in the trunk of your car. It is convenient, easy to load and unload given the presence of its high strength kickstand that comes standard. The cart is durable, featuring high quality wheels that will not lose tread when you travel over unforgiving surfaces, nor will they puncture on you during periods of increased use.

Simply put, a kayak cart is a piece of kayak fishing gear that you want to purchase “right” the first time. While there are a number of high quality models on the market, KFC feels comfortable suggesting that its readers consider the showcased model. We know from personal experience, and have learned from numerous testimonials, that this is one kayak cart that will not let you down!

My Experience

Standard Kayak Cart

I was tired of pulling my fishing kayak along difficult shorelines. Doing so caused the frame to get scuffed and scratched up. I wanted something simple and basic to assist me in moving my fishing kayak. Despite that desire, I didn’t want to break the bank! After minimal research, I discovered that the Standard Kayak Cart would  perfectly meet my needs.

Standard Kayak Cart

I liked the way the Standard Kayak Cart supported the unbalanced weight of my fishing kayak. I found the light weight frame to be rigid and sturdy. The Standard Kayak Cart has stood the test of time, and I have certainly exposed it to some difficult and unfavorable terrain!

STANDARD KAYAK CART: CONCLUSION

standard kayak cart

I hope this post has helped you learn more about the standard kayak cart. Understanding how a kayak cart works and the benefits that it can provide to you in your kayak fishing career are so important. If you’ve read this article and have found that you still have questions surrounding the standard kayak cart, we’d ask that you please post in the comments section near the bottom of this page. We love to interact with our readers and would love to have a conversation with you about the subject!

If you are searching for a well built, easy to use, and very convenient kayak fishing accessory, the Standard Kayak Cart shown above is a great place to begin. The convenience provided by being able to move a bulky fishing kayak easily, not to mention by yourself, cannot be overstated. It has saved me and hundreds of other KFC readers many, many hours, not to mention sore muscles and pinched skin! Whichever type of kayak cart you choose, make certain to consider the important features that KFC outlines above! Not convinced? Take a look at our Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Kayak Cart to see if you are persuaded like we were! Sometimes its easiest to push the cart to the water’s edge by using a slipway!

Interested in attending a kayak fishing event in person? Check out this handy resource to find out when and where the next big competition is going to be held!

Comments

Do you have any questions regarding KFC’s Standard Kayak Cart article? Have you found a kayak cart that is your favorite and you want to share it with the KFC community?  Please share with the rest of the KayakFishingCorner community by posting in the Comments section below!

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