Best Kayak Carts for Heavy Fishing Kayaks
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- čas přidán 14. 05. 2024
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There are many kayak carts on the market many, if not most, are not designed with heavy fishing kayaks in mind. The two most widely recommended carts for fishing kayaks are the:
No-Flat Tire Versions:
- Malone Wide Track ATB: amzn.to/3stHP7i
- Wilderness Systems Heavy Duty Cart: amzn.to/3dngGON
Beach Tire Version:
- Malone Wide Track Balloon Wheels: amzn.to/3totnyB
- Wilderness Systems HD Cart w/beach wheels: amzn.to/3dmDmyX
I compared both of these kayak carts on a variety of kayak's and kayak hull shapes to see how well function. I also compare the basic construction, function, and portability of the cart designs to help you determine which best for you.
0:00 Introduction & Basics Comparison
5:49 Old Town AutoPilot 120 Fit and Comparison
11:25 Sportsman's PDL 120/Topwater 120 PDL Fit and Comparison
15:40 Salty 120 PDL/Ocean Kayak Malibu PDL Fit and Comparison
19:57 Portability Comparison
25:04 Final Judgement
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Thank you, a lot of energy went into making this video and I appreciate it. I have a bigfish 105 and a pelican 110 Hd2 both with different hull designs and weight.
I figured out that the wilderness cart with the hard wheels will float just enough that i can slide it under my kayak in the water at the boat ramp and just walk up ramp no straps needed on a 2021 hobie outback
Wow! Excellent review and analysis! Very very informative and helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Great comparison and really helped me decide what way to go. Thank you.
Thank you for the detailed video. We purchased the Old Town 120 Autopilot and have been worrying with the cart. Your review and your detail made it an easy decision to go for the Wilderness Systems unit. Please keep up the the great detail on the use of this wonderful kayak.
Nice review and comparison. Very informative. Thanks for sharing.
Definitely like that the Wilderness System cart can be used in many situations without having to use straps
Great break down and review. I really got good info for my Predator. I think the wilderness is the right choice for me after viewing all of your points of comparisons. Thanks and “Tight Lines” Doc
Very thorough reviews. Thank you
I love my wildernesses system one with the beach wheels is my favorite it works great on the beach and never slips
Outstanding video review. Thanks for posting. 👍👍
Very informative and helpful! Thank you!
Purchased the C-tug for my Moken 10 and realized it's not a good fit. went to CZcams and found your video and you sold me on the Wilderness systems cart. Ordering it now. Looking forward to viewing your videos. Thanks a million.
Your videos are honest and great like to see you review the Ctug.
exactly what i was looking for!
Thanks for making this video. Made my decision much easier.
I got the Wilderness HD cart a while ago before all the shutdowns and huge demand and got it for $160 with the sand wheels. I bought the hard wheels for $100. I keep telling people its worth the money and your video shows why. The weight capacity is just so much better also. With these kayaks getting bigger and heavier every year plus all the gear that is going to be really important. Motor, batteries, gear is getting really close to the weight capacity of the Malone. Add in something like crab traps and you are there.
You did an absolutely awesome job with this video and I'm going to get the wilderness systems for my kayak I got a BKC 13 footer that thing is really heavy and with all the gears that it goes in it It just makes it that much more heavy thank you very much and I great fishing to you I hope you catch a personal best on your next trip
Wilderness it is! this will be my 3rd and hopefully final cart for my Sportman 120 PDL...I'm tired of it rubbing on the wheels. thanks for the deep dive on these two!
Very good review of between the two. the wilderness is the clear winner since I also have more then one kayak hull style.
Very timely video thank you
Thanks for the comparison.
Very good video and really good review!
Very thorough video!
Thank you my brother 😎 really helps to make me decision🤙 wilderness it is for my AP 120 👍
Thanks for the video, very helpful! I bought Malone since there is a $100 difference and seems like it fits Salty pdl very well.
Great Video. I am Basing my decision on your great reviews. I have a Perception Outlaw 11.5 fitted with a trolling motor and Depth/fish finder and have decided on the Wilderness HD. I really hopes it works as well for me as I am expecting it to.
Thanks for the Extra Work you did on your video.
Man I really appreciate you doing this video. I had the malone Scupper whole cart for my kayak but my wife has a sit inside kayak so I'm looking for a cart for her kayak. Both them are good and I can't decide which one I want to get. You did a very very good demonstration with the carts. I appreciate you demonstrated how well the Chaco sandals would hold up. I really really would like to get me a pair of Chaco sandals but they were not fit my foot because of my foot being very very extremely wide. I tried them on the in store but the straps will not adjust wide enough for a foot that is 6 1/2 inches wide. I have very very fat wide toe there are equally straight across and if my toes were at a 45° angle like everybody else's toes I think my foot would fit in the sandals even with me having fat wide toes. It really sucks having a very very extremely wide foot with toes that are straight across. This was a very good video with important information. Thank you for making this and sharing it.
Great video👍🙌
I just bought the Malone a month ago and I have found the same issue with my PDL 120. I have to put it closer to the aft end and it makes transporting the kayak a real chore. It just can't seem to find a good balance up near the seat. Great video. 👍
I have the wilderness trolly for my OT PDL 106 AND, LOVE IT! MONEY WELL SPENT ! Ps I can get it broken down to fill inside the front hatch. Love your Shows!
I just bought the Wilderness... glade you agree
Nice video,Thank You
Wish this video would have been made 3 months ago as I bought the malone based on your previous video. Oh well, guess I'll have to upgrade now. Thanks for the videos.
Great review! I'm thinking to upgrade my old colorado xt pontoon.After around 5 times trip to florida saltwater, all metal frame got beat from corrosion.
Another great vid! Been waiting on my Wildy Kart for awhile now. Got canoe cart that I’ve put 2” pvc tubes on, so it’s like the Malone...good but not ideal. Been watching kayak vids for a few years now. One thing you forgot to say at 19:45? “that’s not going anywhere!” 😉
Famous last words!
Great video, I have the wilderness systems and it's the only one that works well for my bonafide SS107! I tried 3 others which didn't work at all.
Very informative! I launch from the beach most of the time so I use the large sand tires. My only concern about the Wilderness Systems is clearance when using sand wheels
Navarre Kayak fishing makes spacers to alleviate this issue
Thanks Tyler! I also have the 120 PDL and current use a CTug but it's not getting the job done. This makes me lean toward the wilderness systems cart.
I have both the ctug and malones. For my sportsman pdl 120 the wilderness is really fantastic. That said, for my canoe, the ctug is a much better cart.
I have and Vote for Wilderness Systems cart ..its awesome with my Nucanoe frontier 12 ..
Suspenz All-Terrain SD Airless Kayak and Canoe Cart is hands down the best kayak cart for actually getting places through forest and fields off road. I tried the Malone cart and it was made for asphalt/concrete.
I've heard good things about it.
thanks i brought wilderness cart for 120 autopilot and my kaku zula pedal drive; show more kayak accessories, great video
another video shows the Wilderness system cart does fit in the 120pdl. Don't put the wheels in first.
Thanks for this video!! Very helpful. I have a Hobie PA12 360 and wonder if the Wilderness will fit.
Yes it fits the two grooves on the bottom of a PA well but Hobie also has it's own scupper cart options as well
Got my wilderness systems cart a couple weeks ago for my sportsman 106 pdl and it is amazing. I don't even need to strap it down. Definitely worth the $200 in my opinion
If it works, efficient and faster and reasonably priced, I'm all in! Thanks for this video and your hard work.
How is it to pull? The handle is so awkward on the 106 pdl
I own the Wilderness cart. I like the fact that the bunks are longer and foam padded for a more balanced feel and little movement forward and back the length of the kayak (more foam to grip the body of the kayak) I have yet to need my straps, but still have them available. Could you cut off an inch or so on each end of the Wilderness bunks to fit in the storage area? Or put the bunks in first and then the wheels? I just secure mine on top because of the assembly / disassembly time or I leave it in the vehicle.
Great video I've watched many times over the past couple of years. Convinced me to splurge on the wilderness. What setting do you have the Wilderness on for the 120 (I have PDL 120).
I sold my 120 I don’t remember
This was a great video on comparing both units. I’m looking for a kayak cart now for my ocean kayak, which has a more rounded bottom. By any chance, do you have a video comparing anything kayak cart with the C tug? I was thinking about getting a C-tug but now that I see your review of the Wilderness Systems I’m thinking that might be the way to go. Thanks for a great review!
The C-tug works well for rounded hulls.
Great video. I'm leaning towards the Wilderness cart. It does appear you need to lift the kayak higher to clear the Wilderness rails when loading/unloading.
It is super nice. Plus once you have the beach wheels on there you can kind of just leave them on; they go over basically everything.
You sold me on the wilderness systems cart, ... versatile, and stable, ease of use, you can lose the straps...I'm adding tracks to the rear of my yak, and am going to see if a pair of paddle grabbers will hold it back there,
I watched a video with a guy putting the wilderness cart inside his Old Town Sportsman 106 PDL, it's all in the angle of entry from what I seen in the video.
I have a PA 14, which is heavy just as your 120 auto pilot. I watched some videos of various carts and said "nuts" (or something a bit more graphic) and went with the Boondox. No lifting, no straps, no poking the wheels into scupper holes. I set them up as I am taking the kayak off the trailer and lift and lock them into place once in the water. getting out of the water is just a reversal. And yes, they are clearly more expensive. Great demo for other alternatives (and definitely less expensive).
A lot of folks don't like Boondox because it voids their warranty
@@spiltmilt Understood, if that is the position that Hobie (or any other kayak maker) is taking. Mine is older so it had a 2 year warranty, expired 4 years ago. And given that it was installed with plates on the inside of the hull, and at the time there were issues with scupper holes on the older kayaks, I guess it will be the owner's choice.
.. Tim, I just watched my first Boondox review video by Southern Reels Fishing before I got here to this one, and I must say, warranty or no warranty, that's the type of wheel system I want! Best I've seen. 💯 ✌🇺🇸
@@cjsoutdoors4412 What is important is having a plate on the inside of the kayak on each side to distribute the pressure/torque which comes with the kayak hanging from the wheel system. No matter what form of wheels you use, there is an element of nuisance, but I am happy with my choice. I have the regular wheels because my fishing is in lakes, whether a primitive launch or a cement one.
Thank you for the effort and detail you placed into this video. Very informative!!! I have a Pelican catch 100 motorized kayak which has a flat bottom, and I believe the Wilderness system is a good fit. What is the model or part number of the one you purchased? Appreciate your feedback and will watch many more of your informative reviews.
Links in the video description
What is the axle diameter on the wilderness system cart . I do like your videos keep up your good work Thank you .
I have the old town predator PDL and I almost bought the wilderness... I bought the c-tug instead because I wanted to be able to put it in the front hatch easily. It can be a pain to get it on there right without buckling or sliding around until I figured out to just put the straps through the handles now it works great. But I bought it with a sand tracks wheels and they suck on pavement and trying to pull it uphill. I just bought the hard tires but I haven't tested them out yet hopefully it rolls easier 😬
Thanks for the post. Just got the 106 and the c-tug with hard tires before watching this video. Been too busy to see how they work and after seeing this video thought I may have messed up not going with the wilderness. Thanks for the tip on the straps thru the handles. Based on the c-tug pads and the bottom of these hulls I wasn't sure if it would even work.
This is what I was looking for I just got my wife a olt town 120 pdl and need a cart
Thanks
Thanks!
The Wilderness System HD cart is hands down the best cart for the AP120. Enjoy and thank you for your support.
Navarre Kayak Fishing has risers for the Wilderness Systems cart if you need more clearance from the wheels. I believe that there are clearance issues with the balloon tires and the Old Town Autopilot.
My next cart will be the Wilderness Systems cart. I currently have a Malone Tracker Deluxe w/wide track wheels, it's ok, but I think things could be better especially for the price.
Yes he came out with those shortly after this video released.
Put the Wilderness Systems Heavy Duty Cart back into your Vehicle after transporting your Kayak to the lake. I like the Wilderness Systems Heavy Duty Cart.
Hi, friend! Excellent video. Could you tell me the diameter of the axle of the Wilderness car? Thank you so much!!!
I am really impressed with the ctug . Not only have I used it as a kayak cart , but I have used it to move a big porch for a rv that was atleast 600 lbs . I moved it 300 yards by myself with the use of the ctug .
Does work well with flat bottom kayaks though
@@spiltmilt , mine are not flat bottomed , . I have a lure 11.5 with trolling motor and downriggers .It fits the bottom perfect with most the kayaks I have owned . Even used it on my old hobie .
That’s great. They c tug doesn’t work for old towns unless modified.
IF you have a Old Town Sportsman 120 AutoPilot. Do not use anything but the Wilderness. I wasted money on the Malone. Not a good fit for the 120. Made my life 100% easier. Wilderness all the way.
Thanks to your review I cancelled my order with Malone and ordered the Wilderness Systems Carrier with the Sand Tires. Seemed more stable. I just purchased the Autopilot 120 needed a Carrier. Thanks for the review.
Update us if the sand tires rub on the AP120 hull with and without load, thanks.
I'm curious as well. I've seen some complain about this but none of them tried widening the cart either
@@elliotthiessen7492 Just got the Wilderness carrier. I have 1 1/2" clearance from the tires to the Yak. I think I may add some rubber tube pads on the round stock. Thanks again
@@hunter8turkey1 This guy just made spacers for the cart and the AP120, you can see them in the video:
czcams.com/video/5gNUu1__UAo/video.html
I've had the wilderness systems cart for a year for my pro angler 12 and with all of my junk on it the yak likely weighs upwards of 140-150# (downrigger and downrigger ball, rods, tackle, seat, net, drive, etc.) and the only flaw I've found with it is that it seems to slide quite a bit on some really steep gravel ramps after I take my yak out of the water and it's wet. I don't strap it (because I'm lazy and if it's busy I don't want to tie the ramp up for too long) and that's when it slides on me. Otherwise it's a great cart. Thanks for the video.
Hi J Kramer, I have the PA also. Do you find it hard to lift the kayak up onto the Wilderness Cart? It seems that the support bars are long and one would have to lift the boat high to mount the cart.
@@darylwchan I did find that I had to lift the PA up really high to get it onto the cart. I actually went back to the Hobie scupper cart and just lashed all of my stuff down so that when I roll it over nothing falls out; easy peasy now.
@@jkramer5512 Glad a scupper cart works for you. I hear so many complaints that the scupper holes crack under the weight of the cart so I've avoided the scupper cart.
@@jkramer5512 My thinking is that maybe once I mount the kayak onto the cart near one end of the kayak that I can slide the cart closer to the center of the kayak ( I would tie a rope to the cart and pull it towards me while I hold up the far end of the kayak). Do you think that would be feasible? Would the cart slide under the kayak or is the rubber too "grippy" preventing it to slide?
Thanks for the review! Inspired me to purchase a Wilderness system for my Hobie Outback. I noticed you've got numbers and a license on your autopilot 120 this year. I don't recall seeing those previously. Did WA change the regs or did I just miss them last year? I'm considering adding an Autopilot to my Hobie and was curious about the registration requirements in WA.
Required on all federal navigable waters (eg Puget Sound, Columbia River, Lake Washington and so on)
@@spiltmilt Good to know... Thank you!
Thanks for the vid. Just got my Big Fish 103 and I’m in desperate need of a cart.
I bought the wilderness cart last spring for my Big Fish 120, and I love it.
It fits the cathedral hull perfectly, and I haven’t even needed to use the straps at all.
Same just picked up the malone widetrak for 144 including tax on Amazon
Great video Tyler! Thank you for the work! Looking for the Wilderness Systems cart with beach wheels for my PA 14. Can't find it in stock anywhere. Anybody got any leads on somebody who has them in stock? Thanks again for the video!
They are hard to come by at the moment.
I have the wilderness system cart and a PDL 120 and just wanted to let you know that you can get it to fit in the front hatch, there is just a very specific way you have to put it in, but it can be done fairly easily.
Do explain
@@spiltmilt I'll post a video to your post on the Old Town group.
I'd love to see your technique of using the wilderness system cart to put an AP120 into the water and out of the water with minimal feet getting wet when the water is cold. Maybe you have some tips that could help us newbies. Should get my cart later this week. Sent my Malone back they day I received it. Thanks!
I wear a dry suit when water temps are cold so getting in the water isn't an issue
Hey Tyler, for the Wilderness Systems, do you actually have the beach tires as well and if so, would you say there is a noticeable difference between the standard wheels and the beach wheels over gravel and hard surfaces? For the standard wheels, I rarely go on the sand (maybe to launch on a sandy spot of beach on a local lake every so often). I'm leaning toward the standard wheels and just was wondering your thoughts. Thanks as always!
I don't have the beach wheels but have used someone else's cart with them. Its a lot more work to move on paved surfaces with the beach wheels. If I lived nearer the coast I would buy the beach wheels but prefer the hard wheels.
My main concern about the wilderness kayak tart is that you have to lift up the back end of the Kayak so high to get it on the cart and with my battery underneath my seat that makes it quite difficult.
I just ordered the wilderness HD five minutes ago because of your video so thank you however, at 20:40 after you removed the first wheel, why not try this method in order to speed disassembly…
1. After removing the wheel, Instead of inserting the ring pin which holds the wheel, just lay it to the side for a moment.
2. Then remove the other pin which allows the axle to be extended and lay it to the side too.
3. Loosen the four wing nuts (but only slightly not removing them from the bolts) that adjust the spacing of the verticals
4. slide both of the verticals off the shaft
5. Replace both pens for safekeeping
That would eliminate The time taken to completely remove the four wing nuts and pull those two Black clamps apart.
I don’t know how much time that would save but I’m thinking maybe two minutes removal and two minutes reassembling??
Mine Arrives in 2 days so I’ll be able to try this to see how it works
Thank you for the video, very good.
Got the Malone and didn't like it, tossed it and got the Wilderness HD cart...its the best.
Thanks for adding your thoughts!
Nice video! How fast is the Salty compare your 120 PDL? Is there a big difference in speed and do you like it? Thank you!
There is a large difference in speed and maneuverability between the two. The Salty is much faster
I wish you would have done this three weeks ago, lol. I purchased a C-Tug cart. I haven't tried it yet. I did like the videos and reviews, but I can tell it wont be as versatile as the Wilderness system. I guess I'll find out soon enough. But great video. Thanks.
I hope that C-Tug works out for you better than it did on my Sportsman MK106, it would Not conform to the bottom well enough to even use it. This wilderness cart seems like it's made for the Sportsmans
@@MikeGentry same here, I had to modify it. I attached 4" PVC pipe to each pad, now it sits dead center, and it actually gives it a little more lift.
that said, my next one will be a Wilderness Systems cart.
I have the C-tug and a Jonny boat with motor and propeller. The C-Tug kept slipping out of place when rolling over and encountering bigger rocks, roots near trees and other obstacles. So, I decided to use a two strap system on the C -Tug. Work very well now. No more moving out of place. However, I want to speed the process up and get out of the way faster. So, the Wilderness Cart by means of this video has me thinking what if I made a change/ upgrade. Right now two straps is working well.
I have a question? How well does this work with all of your fishing gear loaded? Do you have to remove everything to put the kayak on the cart? I have a slayer propel 13 with boonedox landing gear and i can put the wheels down and pull the kayak with my gear to and from the water but the balance isn't as good so it makes it heavy and it takes up permanent space and is dedicated to one kayak as i have three. I want to get the titan 12 and was considering the wilderness. Thanks for the effort put into this video!
Extremely stable while loaded. With a 450 lb capacity the Wilderness Systems cart is solid. Getting a fully loaded kayak up on the cart at the end of the day is the biggest challenge. One I typically accomplish by sliding the cart up under the kayak while it's in the water to avoid heavy lifting.
@@spiltmilt Thanks for the reply. I was also curious about taking it off or putting it on while in the water. Thanks again!
I have a Old Town BW132 PDL. I was leaning toward the Wilderness but after looking at the design of my hull I’m thinking the Malone might be a better fit. Thoughts?
Yes I think the Malone is better for rounder hulls.
It really all depends on what kayak you have and how the keel is designed.
Thanks. So I bought two 9 ft SIT ON fishing kayaks they are pretty wide to make up for there short length. What would you recommend? Thank you
I'm not sure as these are more designed for heavier kayaks. I'm sure they would be adequate it depends on hull design
I just can’t see taking up valuable space in or on top of your yak for a cart. Unless you’re transporting it several hundred yards or more, put it back in the truck. Space inside the hatch is valuable real estate.
I’ve seen a bunch of yaks with boondocks mounting bar across the rear well dividing the usable space and that doesn’t make sense to me either unless you never camp or your a fair weather fisherman and don’t carry much gear.
Really informative video though! You do a great job thoroughly explaining your subject in all of the videos.
I have a perception tribe 9.5 but my what I call headache kayak that always falls off carts is my Jackson tripper 12. I'm debating between the Malone or the ctug but what would you recommend? would the wilderness do better or something else?
Not familiar with the hull shape on that kayak.
I have the sportsman pdl 120. Does the wilderness cart with balloon tires work with it?
Yes works great
I also am building a foam and fabric kayak since I can not afford two nice yaks
The wilderness cart was only just too long for the cargo hold, could you take off a small length from each end, so it fits neatly inside and would it still work ok ? Just a thought !
You could. I wouldn't want to though. It would make the ride less stable.
Why not put the wheels and the axle in the front hatch and put the bunks in the rear. You can strap the bunks to the sides of a crate. It isn't optimal, but I bet it would work.
That could work!
If when setting up the wilderness HD cart with sand wheels and u use the high setting its find with a Hobie.Very lucky people in the USA my cart in Australia $500.00.
Will the Wilderness cart work on a canoe? I have a kayak and a canoe and would love it if it would do both.
It will work okay but not well. The Malone would actually be a better option for a canoe.
I have an old town sportsman 106 MK and use a boat ramp and its a really short distance (maybe 20 yards) if i used a cart and I am thinking about the wilderness system cart. Would this be a good choice for just sliding in and taking out with my gear already loaded? This way I am not spending time holding up the boat launch.
Yup this is primarily what I use the Wilderness cart for.
@@spiltmilt Yeah unfortunately amazon is out of stock.
It looks nice... I have see alot of these kind of videos of several carts.... All are looking how easy you can transfer the kayak OUTSIDE the water...what happens when you extract the kayak from the sea water and the waves are coming one after the other????? You shall have the time to do all that thinks that you do on your grass????
No one with any sense of reason carts their kayak in the surf 😂
@@spiltmilt the cart manufacturers should think abour seriously that is a matter of safety....
Common sense dictates getting your kayak out of the surf zone before loading onto a cart.
@@spiltmilt the surf zone is the beach and then there is gravel and sometimes rocks...
Also,the higher the cart, the deeper the after you need to load the yak on. Or do you have a better way to load on water.
I just push the cart underneath the kayak in the water and walk it out. Very easy and requires no lifting
The real problem with carts is loading your yak when leaving. I turn my yak backwards, lift up the rear to push the cart under. I was off center last time and learned this was wrong; i dumped over. I am using a C-Tug.
I’ve got a big fish 103 with pedal drive. I’m thinking the wilderness is the best bet for my tri hull??
Yes
I Have both also. 😂
Great test but most time I struggle with my wilderness system is on a slight incline it tends to slide off the kart. Can you do a demo on both kayaks on a incline.
A video by Nick on Navarre Fishing shows him using a single strap with hooks on both ends. Reaching down through the pdl hole in the deck and hooking the axle with the first hook; then pulling the strap up through the hole in the deck and hooking the second hook onto the peddle drive top and pulling the strap tight. This method is simple and fast and secure. I tried that on my Sportsman PDL 120 on the boat ramp incline and it worked great.
How do you think it will work on a L4 paddleboard?
No idea. I don't know enough about paddleboards to say
Regarding the Wilderness System hard wheels. What is the tread? Is it a hard rubber material or plastic. My concern is noise level while I’m walking my kayak down the street to the lake.
All hard wheels on carts are noisy. If you want quiet wheel go with pneumatic.
@@spiltmilt Thanks for the response. Any opinion on the Suspenz All Terrain Cart? Do you have vid on that?
No experience with that product unfortunately
Is there any reason why you couldn't cut an inch off both ends of the bunks so that it would fit in the hatch?
Nope
Inflatable (AG BF130) with a flat bottom. Is there anything that works?
I just got a BF130 but have not tried to cart it yet. I'll let you know.