How to Find the Best Canoe Cart After 2015

Canoe carts can help make the life of a canoe owner much easier. These carts allow you to remove the “back breaking” effort of hauling your canoe from your vehicle to the water. They’re easy to setup and are often able to be folded up so that they can easily be stored away when not in use.

TMS CART-CANOE/KAYAK-KY001((B)) Deluxe Boat Kayak Canoe Carrier Dolly Trailer Tote Trolley Transport Cart Wheel	Our favorite for 2020
TMS CART-CANOE/KAYAK-KY001 Boat Kayak Canoe Carrier Tote Trolley	A great value option
C-Tug Boat Cart with Solid Kiwi Wheels	Canoe cart with 300lb weight capacity

The best part is that most carts are extremely affordable and offer high-quality, too.

We’ve had the privilege of reviewing five of the best models on the market. But we also want you to know how to compare all of these models for your own personal preference. A few of the main criteria that we use when trying to find the best carts includes:

• Weight Load: The maximum weight load of the cart needs to be able to accommodate your canoe. There are loads of 120 – 300 pounds on the list below.
• Bumpers: The hull of the canoe or kayak you’ll be transporting can easily become damaged when using a cart. The metal on the frame of the cart should have bumpers (normally made of foam) that will protect the hull from being damaged.
• Inflated vs. Flat Tires: Inflated tires can be punctured, so going over a nail or a rough surface can leave you and your canoe stranded. No-flat or puncture-proof tires work best because they don’t need to be inflated and cannot puncture.
• Kickstand: Ideally, a kickstand will be present that will allow you to easily load your canoe on the cart without having to worry about the cart moving around in the process.

Reviews: Our Top 5 Picks for the Best Canoe Carts

TMS CART-CANOE/KAYAK-KY001 Boat Kayak Canoe Carrier Review – The KY-001 by TMS is a solid budget choice, and this model offers a 150-pound weight capacity and a 12-foot tie-down strap. Featuring a solid metal frame, this carrier is durable and even offers foam bumper protection that will protect the hull of your canoe or kayak.

Tires roll smoothly on all surfaces, including sand, and are 3.5” wide and 9.5” in diameter.

Small in size, the dolly cart can be broken down quickly for easy storage and is spring-loaded to allow for quick loading and unloading of your canoe or kayak. For all canoes of 12-feet, the KY001 is highly recommended.

TMS CART-CANOE/KAYAK-KY001((B)) Review – Very similar to our previous pick, this is the KY001(B). Slightly more high-end, this cart can hold 120 pounds and offers a 12-foot long tie-down, too. Stainless steel fasteners and a lynch pin allow for quick and easy setup.

The wheels are identical in size to the original with a diameter of 9.5” and a width of 3.5”.

Foam bumpers are also included to add extra protection for your boat, and weighing just under 10 pounds, this will make lugging your canoe across any surface a breeze.

This is a great all-around canoe cart that offers superb quality and easy storage options.

Malone Clipper Deluxe Universal Kayak Cart Review – Malone’s Clipper Deluxe has one thing other canoe dollies on our list don’t (aside from our last choice): a 200-pound weight capacity. Heavier canoes and kayaks will fit perfectly on this cart, and the tires are 10” in diameter for an easier time rolling through sand or gravel.

A never-go-flat design means the tires are airless and don’t need to be inflated.

Oversized padded protection protects your canoe from becoming damaged when loading, and a stabilizing lockout kickstand makes loading up your canoe quick and easy. This is one of the best kayak and canoe carts in the industry, but its high-end status may put some consumers off.

New Deluxe Kayak Canoe Dolly Trailer Trolley Review – The New Deluxe offers everything from an affordable price to 20mm diameter aluminum stainless steel construction. Able to hold a canoe of up to 150 pounds, this model is backed by a one-year warranty and includes tie-down straps for easy mounting.

Only the wheels need to be attached when receiving this cart, and it folds up nice and neat for easy storage when you’re done out on the water.

A leg kickstand is included to allow for easy loading, and a 6’ and 30’ tie down strap is included. Easy to inflate and durable, the New Deluxe offers a durable hold and design.

C-Tug Boat Cart with Solid Kiwi Wheels Review – The C-Tug Boat is made of composite materials, so it won’t rust or corrode over time. And you don’t need to worry about this cart damaging your canoe either. Weighing just 9.3 pounds, this lightweight cart has the capacity to hold a 300-pound load – enough for virtually any canoe.

Puncture-free wheels are incorporated into the cart’s design, and a kickstand keeps that cart steady when loading.

The great thing is that the cart’s pads swivel so that it can accommodate all sizes of canoes and kayak bottoms. The pads are also sticky to provide extra traction and less slippage during load.

Buyer’s Guide –  How to Choose the Right Canoe Caddy for You

The right canoe dolly for you is a personal choice. But there are some key factors you’ll need to consider before making your purchase:

• Price: How much are you willing to spend? The C-Tug provides years of use and offers a high weight load, but the KY001 is a third of the price. Always make a budget and stick to it – or you’ll end up spending a lot in the process.
• Size: It’s essential that the size of the caddy is able to accommodate the need of your canoe. All caddies will have information regarding the maximum weight load they can withstand as well as the length of the canoe that they’re designed to haul.
• Type: There are not many “type” options available, but it’s important to choose a foldable model for easy storage. Folding models are now rather common, and they allow you to safely store your canoe cart without taking up the entire garage in the process.
• Wheel Size: It’s easy to overlook the wheel or tire size on a cart, but this is a very important feature. The larger the wheel, the easier it will be to maneuver through rough ground, such as sand and gravel. Small tires often get stuck in the sand or gravel and cause more issues than actually carrying the canoe to the water. A general size of 9”+ is recommended for all-terrain usage.
• Reviews: When in doubt, read through user reviews to be able to sift through the good and bad canoe carts. You’ll find that reviews can help you avoid buying a subpar product.