When we moved our old PVC kayak rack was left behind with other family to store their kayaks. This gave me an opportunity to build a new kayak rack of a wooden design. I wanted a flexible design that fit my kayaks, with room to expand.

Supplies

2 - 4" X 4" X 8' pressure treated posts

1 - 2" X 6" X 8' pressure treated boards (each kayak needs 1 post to make 2 brackets)

4 - 5/8" X 5" lag bolts (per kayak you plan on storing)

4 - 3.5" inch deck screws (per kayak you plan on storing)

chop saw or circular saw

post hole diggers

square

level

socket set

battery drill and drill bits

pencil for marking cuts

Step 1: Mark Your Wood

Mark your wood with the cuts you will be needing. I planned on burying 2' of the posts for stability. I have a heavy clay soil so I chose not to use cement to anchor the posts. If you have a sandy or loose soil I recommend using cement to prevent any shifting. My brackets are measure to fit my kayaks, there is enough wood to go wider if you have a paddle board or wider kayaks. I chose to angle my brackets about 20 degrees to assist with drainage and keep the kayaks firmly against the posts.

Step 2: Make Your Cuts

I used a chop saw to make all my cuts.

Step 3: Emplace Your Posts

Using a heavy post hole digger I dug my two post holes 4' on center apart. When placing the posts use the level to make sure they are not leaning.

Step 4: Add Brackets

I used 2 decks screw to attach each bracket. Alternate brackets on the outside and inside of the posts in opposite directions to balance your load. Alternately you could have all the brackets on one side if you were placing it against a wall or under a roof overhang.

After the brackets were in place I went back and drilled a pilot hole for two lag bolts per bracket. Using the socket wrench I screwed the lag bolts in to secure the brackets.