Another cheap canoe rack. 60 bucks. (for short beds and heavy canoes)

Ive resurrected my Coleman 15 foot canoe after a 10 year hiatus and we took it out yesterday. I put a nice dent on the roof after I tightened it down. ( Dent puller popped it out, but I was pretty pissed until I got home) Today I set out to build a 1) cheap 2) easily loadable 3)easily stored canoe carried for my short bed. After a quick exercise of my Google-Fu, I found an idea that used some pipe as the horizontal beams and I was off to Home depot.

Materials list-
2x8x10 (lays in the pre-fabbed slots in the bed, approx 5 feet long)
2 qty 2x8x8 (for the 4 uprights at 36 inches each)
2x4x10 (for the horizontal supports)
2 qty 1/2x60 inch pipe
4 qty 1/2 pipe bases

The BIGGEST problem I had was fitting the pipe. I could only find 60 inch lengths and the bed is 54 inches between uprights. The pipe threader guy wasnt working so I had to get creative. I ground out one of the pipe bases (took the most time of the whole project) and welded them together. If you could get the guys to cut and thread a 54" piece, you would be fine.

My only suggestion....Coleman canoes are indestructible and can survive direct hits from a torpedo....however, they are HEAVY. The 1/2 inch pipe seems to have a little give under the weight of the canoe. I may have gone a little bigger than 1/2 if I were to do it again.

On the PLUS side.....the canoe slides effortlessly over the metal pipe. Add a few ratchet straps and this rack feels sturdier than the entire truck. For a canoe that only gets used a few times a year....Im sure this rack will rot from sitting outside before I wear it out.

PS- the 2x4's are attached with 1/4x20 -4 inch bolts. Its adds some stability when loading. 2 bolts per upright. They arent installed yet in the pic

 

Harbor freight 65 bucks. My canoe is only 12' though.