We had a single axle rowboat cart that we use to h...

We had a single axle rowboat cart that we use to haul rowboats up and down the sloped, rocky beach. The cart (pic included) was a bit flimsy and had multiple breaks and repairs over the years but finally broke beyond repair.

I decided to try MP and EMT pipe for a new cart. The requirements:
* Needs to be functional for one person to use to move boats alone.
* My parents (and multiple family members) use the cart and wanted the new one to be lighter, if possible.
* We have to be able to stand in the center near the axle to lift the boat to get it on the cart and then pull it to the balance point on the axle. Same to push the boat off the cart into the water without putting the axle/cart into the salt water.
* The cart had to be able to handle multiple boat lengths and heights.
* Structurally stable because no one liked the flimsy old cart.

Figuring out how to do this I had to keep telling myself to simplify, simplify, simplify – my initial design was much more complicated and would have been too heavy. Ultimately I came to this design (pics included) that was super simple AND lighter than the original cart.

I used two 10’ EMT pipes for the main frame. I added 90 degree bends (actually a little over – oops!) toward the ends of each pipe. I drilled holes in the EMT to match existing holes in the axle and bolted the short ends of each pipe to the axle. The long ends extend out to make wheelbarrow-type handles. I used two 90 degree structural fittings to add a structural EMT support bar (the bow of the boat also rests on this bar) and bent a pipe underneath as a “stand” to rest on the beach. Using bent pipe for the stand was better for the rocky beach than open pipe for a square configuration and keeps metal fittings off the beach. I used the rubber feet on the open pipe ends to keep rocks and debris out of the pipes. I added a rope instead of a solid handle/support over the bow of the boat to keep the weight of the cart down and to allow flexibility for different boat sizes. The rope allows us to “pull” the cart backwards under the boat to load it and then loops over the bow for hauling. Luckily, all users in the family are happy with the new design. Now we just have to see how it holds up in a saltwater environment – that is my only concern. Thanks again, Maker Pipe!

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