Carrying a Kayak

Single Carry

If you are going to carry a kayak by yourself, be very careful to bend your knees as you lift and not to lift with your back alone. Lift by grasping either side of the cockpit to balance the weight fore and aft, slide the boat up onto your thighs, then boost it onto one shoulder. Before you move, make sure the boat is well balanced. For your own safety and to ensure that you do not drop it, take care that the boat you are lifting is within the weight range that you can carry comfortably. Kevlar/carbon and fiberglass kayaks are often light enough to do this type of carry; other boats may not be. If the boat is too heavy don’t take a chance — get some help carrying it. 

Double Carry

Two people can carry an unloaded kayak by simply lifting with the bow and stern hand toggles. This is the easiest way to walk a boat to or from the water. However, if the kayak is loaded, do not rely completely on the carrying toggles to hold the weight — put your hands under the hull to provide extra support. It is always easier and best to carry a boat to and from the water empty or only partially loaded, and to load heavier gear at the water’s edge. 

Multi-person Carry

Heavily loaded kayaks can be too heavy for even two paddlers to carry. Be safe and do not hurt yourself by trying to lift a boat that is too heavy. If you have a large enough group to have four people who can carry your kayak, then use the mob. Use nylon or polyester webbing in order to lift the boat by putting each strap under the hull of the boat, slightly to the stern and slightly to the bow. Hold onto the boat to steady it as you lift and carry it by the straps. Even quite heavy boats can be easily lifted and walked to or from the water using this method. 

Kayak Carts – making it easy

Consider a kayak cart or dolly for moving your boat — they are back savers. These handy devices allow you to wheel your boat to the beach to launch, and then they pop apart for storage in your kayak while you are paddling if you have no place else to keep them. They are convenient and safe. 

When carrying your kayak, always take it easy on your back – you will need it for paddling!