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Product Highlights
- Aluminum outdoor rustproof storage solution!
- Fits all different kayak types up to 34" wide
- Saves dock space - mounts to side of dock
- Rack your kayak from the water
- Lever arm allows easy lift of kayak from water
- Made in the USA
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Product Description
The Kayak Dock Rack is an innovative and easy-to-use outdoor storage solution. Save space by storing your kayak off the side of your dock or pier, and save yourself trips lugging your kayak back and forth to the waterside.
- Built for the Outdoors. Made from Aluminum parts and stainless steel hardware, so it is completely weatherproof and designed to withstand harsh marine environments.
- Space Saver. Great for narrow piers or walkways because it attaches to the side of your dock, with your kayak mounted over the water, saving you precious dock space!
- Lift Assist Arm. Makes loading and unloading your kayak simple, for anyone. The Rack folds down and inserts your boat into the water, and folds up to remove it from the water. An aluminum arm and webbing cradle swings down to (or up from) the water so you can maneuver your kayak into the rack while it is still in the water. Once your boat is in the cradle, swing the aluminum arm up and your kayak into its storage position.
I See Two Options...Which is Right for Me? We get this question a lot! There are 2 versions of this dock rack that look very similar, but function slightly different. Continue reading to determine which rack is right for you, then select the chosen rack from the dropdown menu above.
- Dockside Rack (Right Video): The Dockside version is designed for entering and exiting your kayak from the dock. Ideal for docks in deep water or floating docks, accommodating freeboards (dock height above water) up to 30". Here's the major difference between this version and the Waterside Rack: The Dockside Rack will begin to tilt toward the water when you release the locking pins. This is ideal when you're on the dock because you'll be above the rack and able to control the descent with the included line (see video).
- Waterside Rack (Left Video): if your dock is in shallow water and you will board your kayak by standing in the water, select the Waterside version of this kayak rack. The Waterside Rack operates differently in that it will not begin its descent until you, the operator, manually move the lifting arms. This is a safety feature that is not necessary when using the other rack from the dock.
2 Dock Mounting Options: (1) Bolt-on and (2) Clamp-on. Both options fit decks 1" to 1.5" thick and include 2 slots to provide for vertical adjustment to meet different water levels. 
(1) Bolt-on Mount:
- For wood or composite decking; not for aluminum decking
- Requires bolting into your dock or pier
(2) Clamp-on Mount:
- Tool-free installation
- For wood, composite, or aluminum decking
- Requires access to underside of dock
- Dock must have side height less than 7.5"
- Truss-type docks must have decking-to-bottom-rail height of 10" or less
Still deciding? Check out our writeup on why we recommend this rack for waterfront properties.
For dockside storage of multiple boats we recommend our SUP & Kayak Dock Rack.
- Dockside Rack
- Kayak weight supported = 100 lbs
- Maximum kayak width = 34"
- Rack position (distance rack sits below dock) = 5 - 9"
- Freeboard (distance between dock surface and water surface) = 10 - 30"
- Adjustable straps fit all kayak styles
- Waterside Rack
- Kayak weight supported = 100 lbs
- Maximum kayak width = 34"
- Rack position (distance rack sits below dock) = 5 - 17"
- Freeboard (distance between dock surface and water surface) = 10 - 36"
- Adjustable straps fit all kayak styles
- Kayak rack
- Webbing
- Mounting hardware (of your choosing)
Will this work in saltwater?
Yes, the aluminum will withstand saltwater, but it will most likely develop a white crusty buildup.
For the bolt option, it comes with snaptogglers; if you use these to mount the rack, you would need to access the underside of your dock to secure them in place. However, if you don't have access or there are structural members under the decking, you could get a lag bolt from a hardware/home improvement store and use that instead.
For waterside version --
a) the distance of the dock surface to the water itself can range from 10 - 36";
b) in storage, the distance the kayak is above the water ranges between 5-20", depending on water level;
a) the distance of the dock surface to the water itself can range from 10 - 30";
b) in storage, the distance the kayak is above the water ranges from 5-21" (again, based on water level).
Hopefully the additional numbers may help you plan what could work for your intended dock modification.
- If your dock is in deep water, or is a floating dock, then the dockside version will allow you to get into the kayak from the dock;
- If the dock isn't, and you can enter our kayak while standing in water, then the waterside version would work.
The "Freeboard" measurement you were asking about is basically the dock's height above the water. The number of inches between the surface of the dock, and the surface of the water, affects which one to choose, as follows:The waterside version works for docks that have between 10" and 36" between the dock's surface and the water's surface;The dockside version works for docks that have been 10" and 30" between the dock's surface & the water's surface. So the waterside is required if you dock is higher than 30" above the water, up to 36" high. If water level varies, you would look at what the highest water surface level would be.
You should know that with the clamp-on hardware, it requires access to underside of dock, and additionally:
If I buy the dockside design can you still enter it from the water?
For these dock racks, the use of the dockside one is not recommended if you are entering your board or boat from the water. The main reason is safety, because they way the dockside version works is a little different then the way the waterside version works. Basically, the dockside version works by rotating the boat or board at a certain point during use, which you control from above, on the dock. If you were to try to maneuver that system from the water, there are some potential safety issues, and you could potentially loose control and the boat/board could rotate on its own in a way that could cause personal injury to the operator or someone nearby. You just aren't able to control that version as well from the water; since it is built to be operated from the dock. So really, how you want to enter the boat on a regular basis is going to be important to decide for which version would work best. If you prefer to enter your boat while in shallow water, then you would want to get the waterside version, which operates to work best for that use.
Would your rack be suitable for a dock that was up to 5’ off the water? The water level goes down quite a bit by end of summer.
Unfortunately, these kayak dock racks won't work for a dock where it would be 5 feet above the water. For them to work, the distance between the water and dock surface needs to be between 10" and 30" for the dockside version, and 10" and 36" for the waterside version (so it maxes out at 2.5 to 3 feet at most). That range for either type is what it needs to be within, so it can fluctuate, but be no less or no more than those amounts.
For the bolt-on mount, how many inches does the plate extend onto the pier?
For the bolt-on mount of this kayak dock rack, there are two mounts that you will be attaching to the dock/pier, and each of those mounting plates is a bit over 5" long. You will need to bolt each of those plates to the dock in two places -- at 5" and at 2.25" from the edge of the dock.
"No tool installation" isn't exactly true and we did have all the plastic wing nuts strip and had to replace them. But that's where the manufacturer shines - after emailing him he wrote back and he reimbursed me for those parts. I'm not sure (and neither is he) why they failed. Now storing my board, how it flips it upside down and the ease in using it is great! I have it holding my Hobie Kayak which is close to 100 lb and it is no issue. VERY happy to have this on the dock.
I purchased two of the waterside storage racks. The basic concept and design is very good. I found the installation instructions to be lacking in the details of mounting the handle unit to the mounting brackets. They mentioned the 30" spacing but were not clear as to exactly what the spacing was for as middle to middle, inside to inside, or what. The other problem was that one of the plastic wing nuts stripped so I was unable to securely install one of the mounting brackets. I had to go to the hardware store and get some replacement plastic wing nuts. So far after just a few days of use things are going well.
This rack is the best ever. This is the second one I’ve purchased. Both are in use all summer. So easy to use and no more tugging and pulling the kayaks to get them out of the water.
Just simply float the kayak onto the straps, lift the bar of the rack and the straps lift the kayak out of the water with very little effort. Would highly recommend this product.
It was hard before having to launch the two kayaks but the storage units make it easy to put them in the water and out.
Easy to install and works well. Am using in salt water so time will tell how it will hold up. It gets the kayaks off the dock and makes use of them much easier.
We purchased the units and installed them on our dock, and loaded our kayaks on. So far, we are really pleased. This review could go up to an excellent if they continue to function as well as they have to this point. There is a hitch in the installation instructions...how to mount the rack onto the base (hint, it rests on the cotter-like pins) but that is not obviously spelled out in the instructions, but after 15 minutes or so, I figured it out. As I say, so far, so good.
I purchased this kayak lift so my wife can take it out of the water herself when I’m not home . Too my surprise our sea wall is to high and she can not lift the kayak into the slings , my fault for not measuring. We lowered the slings as far as possible, and lowered the rack down all the way , this is a good product and I would recommend it , it just did not work for our application.
We just installed the kayak dock racks over the weekend. We have a narrow 3 foot wide dock so we didn't have any extra room for boat storage. The kayak dock rack keeps the boat just outside of the dock for easy pass through. Launching the Kayaks couldn't be easier.
Excited to receive kayak rack as the design was exactly what I was looking for. Box received with missing snap button. Then when installing bolt snapped off. Requested new parts from mfg. Received and continued to install, then strap broke. Received new design strap from mfg. Finally installed! Not used since installed - a bit concerned that it is rugged enough, may have to return and find alternative product. Great design - just lots of issues.
Although I can lift my kayak in and out of the water to our dock, it's large size made it very awkward to handle and I was afraid I would eventually hurt myself. Our dock is about 2 feet above the average water level and when I am standing in the water it is just at head height. This was the perfect storage and launch solution in one! We learned of this device through a neighbor and immediately ordered it when we saw how easy it was. My husband installed it easily and now I am able to launch and recover my kayak easily from the water. The device takes all the weight of the kayak and it is quite easy to operate and secure. I highly recommend this kayak dock rack!
This dockside storage rack for my kayak is great!!! It is so easy to use and now I can use my kayak by myself. I don't need anyone to help me lift it down the hill to the lake--it's right on the dock ready to go.
I got tired of putting the paddle board in and out of the water every time someone wanted to use it. I got even more tired of friends and guests damaging the board and figured it only a matter of time before it was destroyed. The kayack dock rack is a great solution. Now my wife and kids can take the board out without my help any time they like. The board is secure, out of the water, and off my lawn!
works as advertised
Everything went as planned. Only comment would be that you should go ahead and include 4 lag bolts... why make us run to the store for $1 of parts?
The rack works as advertised. It is hard to pull up with the furnished strap. It could be improved if the strap had handholds on it so it would be easier to grip. Another possibility would be a fixed bar across the top with a block and tackle type arrangement to make it easier to pull up.
Nice Product
I would recommend this lift!!
I am 63 and I can lift or launch my kayak by myself!!!
Customer Questions and Answers
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