Free standing kayak storage rack

I want to build a kayak storage rack for my backyard. I'm thinking wood frame and 1" metal bars to hold the yaks (eventually wrapped in foam/insulation etc). About 8ft long and maybe 5ft tall. The metal racks would be about 5ft long, so they stick out far enough on each side to store kayaks right-side up [instead of just on their sides]. The metal bars would go through the wood uprights and need to be braced to the wood too.
I don't know...suggestions? One thing is to add more lateral stability. And support the metal bars so they don't bend.

It might be more stable/clean to sink two 4x4 posts instead of framing the whole rack. I dont know about the metal bars, but you could bolt on some 2x6's to support the yaks.

Maybe like this

Maybe like this

That is the least expensive way to accomplish the job.  (2) 4*4*10 (4) 2*6*8' couple sacs of concrete & a handful of lag bolts - done

How many kayaks does it need to hold?
How much room do you have to work with?

I'd use all wood, just screw some 2x4s onto the 4x4s where you show the metal bars. Star drive screws are the bomb if you've never used them, worth the price. Drilling a large hole (straight and level) thru a 4x4 is also a challenge.

For me sinking it into concrete would be a no go, very sturdy but too permanent no re-positioning later on

Need to modify my original comment,

If I was going this route I'd just use 3/4" pipe, not too expensive and I don't believe it would even flex under the weight of a yak.

my bud Jim has one like this and he made the height exactly the height of his truck bed so there was no lifting involved for his yak, just slides in n out...WHAT!!!

I did nearly exactly half of this.

• Couple 8' 4x4s, cut at 3' form the feet and uprights
• one 10' 2x4 cut in half forms the rear top and bottom. 1/2" lag screws secure these.
• I used a few Strongtie supports to keep things stable where the horizontal meets the vertical.
• I used 1" emt pipe for the supports, and bent them slightly to form J's for 'stability' (not needed). These were locked in place using emt couplers.
• I use pool noodles for padding, and put wheels underneath mainly to keep the whole shooting match off my deck and to keep mildew from growing.

Looks like this:


Top yak is usually stored on its top, just rotated to the side to show things better.

At the back:





Suggestions from my build:

• If you've got heavy kayaks, use larger, shorter, or stronger pipe. EMT bends easily.
  
• If you drill the emt receivers on the 4x4s tightly, you will not need anything to hold them in place. I drilled mine a little small, then hammered the pipe in. Friction keeps them in place very nicely.
• Diagonal support would be a welcome addition to mine. I may add that. As it is right now, it'll shift about 5 degrees either way off center, so it's not that big a deal.
• Here's the big thing I'd suggest: give yourself enough clearance between the supports to put your kayak(s) on their sides. I didn't, and have to heat out oil canning on the regular (two are SIKs that I store on their tops. The oil canning is just cosmetic, but a cosmetic PITA).

If I were able to store in a cooler place (I don't have a garage, so I'm forced into this location), it might be better.

Oh, I should add the total cost on this was under $100. Most of the cost was the Strongtie braces and lag bolts.

And that pool noodles will last one season if you're storing this in any sunlight.

All the kayaks on the rack are 14', varying in weight from 50 to maybe 65 lbs, nothing too heavy.

I'm at about 2 and a half years on this guy. So far, so good.

Sheeeeet.  The title read "Free" standing kayak storage rack, thot u wuz giving 1 way