Not long ago I came across a reference to the "Wampanoag Canoe Passage"--a historical watery highway that wound seventy miles across eastern Massachusetts from the Cape Cod Bay town of Scituate to Narragansett Bay--by way mainly of the North River and its tributaries and the Taunton River. The route has been researched and reestablished in modern times. Of course, a canoeist must portage not only from stream to stream but also around obstacles and shallows--carrying canoe and gear varying distances. Portaging is not my idea of fun. To do this trip in my big kayak, Serendipity, I would need a way to move her easily--perhaps on a folding dolly.
It was a bit fussy cutting the base to fit. I designed as I went along, solving problems as they arose. But now my big cruising kayak has become a portable "canoe" for inland river adventure.
My dolly packed neatly into the kayak amongst tent, sleeping bag, cooking gear, etc: this is what Adventure looks like.
Construction details: base and longitudinals of 5/4" pressure-treated lumber, sides of about 5/4 square pine turning on #10 machine screws and fixed in place by more of the same, axle is 1/2-inch threaded steel rod held to base by pieces of steel angle. 7" lawnmower wheels are maybe too small for rough ground and brush, but larger were much heavier and more expensive, and would take up more room in the boat. (If size were no object, small bicycle wheels would ride over branches, etc., much better.)
It was a bit fussy cutting the base to fit. I designed as I went along, solving problems as they arose. But now my big cruising kayak has become a portable "canoe" for inland river adventure.
My dolly packed neatly into the kayak amongst tent, sleeping bag, cooking gear, etc: this is what Adventure looks like.
Overview
Unfolding the dolly for use
Construction details: base and longitudinals of 5/4" pressure-treated lumber, sides of about 5/4 square pine turning on #10 machine screws and fixed in place by more of the same, axle is 1/2-inch threaded steel rod held to base by pieces of steel angle. 7" lawnmower wheels are maybe too small for rough ground and brush, but larger were much heavier and more expensive, and would take up more room in the boat. (If size were no object, small bicycle wheels would ride over branches, etc., much better.)
