Canoe rack

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Well, haven’t been around much lately, life just kept getting in the way.These days every fall seems to be getting shorter and preparations for winter seems to be more rushed.  This year was no exception.Canoes are important to me and have been a part of my life for more years than I care to remember.  I still had a bunch of canoes on the ground where they had been placed about a month ago thinking there was lots of time to put them away.  But first the canoe rack needed some major repairs.  A lot of wood but there is some steel and welding.   The original rack was only held together with a scaffold brace and it did not stand up to being moved with the backhoe.   I needed something quick, snow was coming any time now, just used whatever was available around the shop.  So instead of a brace, made a wood truss from some 2x6 and ¾ plywood.  The assembly was glued and screwed.  When I say glued, it was PL Premium construction adhesive.  The joints are just as strong as the wood they are made of.  No random screw placement either, they followed a set layout pattern with the opposite side offset 3/8 so the screws would not collide.  Anyone see the mistake in that pic?Cut some ¼ x 3 and ¼ x 2 flat bar to make some bolt on pieces with 3/8 x 3 lugs.  These would bolt up to the double lugs on the original rack.  The lifting piece was the same except for the ½ plate lug for the shackle.
Reply:Used a stack of fender washers and some threaded rod to keep things aligned when tacking and welding.  Another flat washer under the plate made for a nice corner joint for welding. Last edited by NorOnt; 11-12-2014 at 09:29 PM.
Reply:Bolt up of the truss to the original rack.6x6 base with 2x6 and 2x4 stiffener.  These were also glued and lag bolted.Light was fading fast but managed to move the rack about ¼ mile to where it will spend the winter and then six trips with truck to load all the boats.  The snow had stopped but now it was raining.  I was tired, cold, and cranky and my feet were soaked but it was done.Paul
Reply:Forgot to mention, all welds were done with Air Liquide 7018.  Tacking with either 3/32 or 1/8 leftover stubs, full welds with 1/8 at 125 amps.
Reply:You talking about the missing screw on the left side?Unit looks good. Do you have issues with the wind getting under those and lifting them off? I don't see any spots for tie downs..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWYou talking about the missing screw on the left side?Unit looks good. Do you have issues with the wind getting under those and lifting them off? I don't see any spots for tie downs.
Reply:I would use rubber bungee cords, up and over them.