Carrying your kayak from the car to the water can be a real challenge. In this C-Tug kayak cart review, we will share a much more convenient way to get your boat to the water.
This review will show you the features and benefits of the unique RAILBLAZA C-Tug kayak cart.
Taking your kayak out for a day on the water is a fun and relaxing way to spend your time. If you are lucky, you can park right by the water, but it isn’t possible many times.
When you have a long way to portage your boat, a kayak cart can be a lifesaver.
Kayaks are heavy and awkward, and you might encounter gravel, sand, grass, or uneven pavement on your way to the water. A kayak cart can make this trek a lot easier.
Many times people will carry a kayak over their shoulder, overhead, or even on their back. This limits the amount of gear you can take with you. When you use a kayak cart, you can wear a backpack full of gear.
You can also load up your ‘yak with gear and let the cart do the manual labor.
If you are interested in other kayak carts, click here for more info. For information on how to use a kayak cart, click here.
C-Tug Kayak Cart Summary
| Manufacturer: | RAILBLAZA |
| Weight Capacity: | 260 pounds |
| Wheels: | Puncture-free, hi-grip rubber coated |
| Best suited for: | Sand, gravel, uneven surfaces |
The C-Tug kayak cart is durable, lightweight, and easy to use. C-Tug is UV resistant and has stainless steel reinforced axles.
C-Tug is designed to handle all kinds of terrain, and that is one of the features that sets this kayak cart apart. The cart is straightforward to use and requires no tools to assemble or disassemble. It takes about twenty seconds to put it together and take it apart.
Depending on how much space is available on your kayak, you might be able to store the cart in a hatch on your boat.
C-Tug carries up to 260 pounds. The load capacity will vary with dynamic loading, depending on the terrain.
The cart weighs about 10 pounds, has puncture-free wheels, and is made from reinforced composite materials with thermos-bonded elastomeric hull pads.
This kayak cart is a beast and will help you get the kayak places you might not think you could get to.
Features
Puncture free wheels
Flat tires are a major pain in the butt when you are using a kayak cart. You load your kayak onto your cart, head to the water, and discover you have a flat. Ugh! Or, you roll your cart over a rock and “pop,” there’s a hole in your tire.
Many kayak carts have cheap, inflatable tires. With the C-Tug kayak cart, you never have to worry about a flat tire. The wheels are puncture-free and roll over just about anything you put in their way. You don’t have to inflate the wheels on the C-Tug, and they have a hi-grip rubber tread.
The wheels work well on various surfaces, including sand, gravel, grass, and uneven pavement. The rubber grip tires stand up well to wet conditions to reduce slippage when you are rolling your cart.
You will have peace of mind knowing that you will never get a flat tire with the C-Tug cart.
In the picture above, I am hauling a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 which weighs about 65 pounds. It’s definitely not easy to pull the kayak over sand, but the cart works really well on hard surfaces, like pavement, dirt, grass, etc.
It really depends on how you will use the cart, how heavy your kayak is and what kind of terrain you will encounter.
Easy to use
Although the C-Tug may look a little daunting, it’s very easy to use. Putting the cart together takes a little bit of time the first time you do it, but you can set it up in about 20 seconds after that.
Once you get the hang of it, it’s a piece of cake to assemble.
You don’t need any tools to put the cart together. Everything just snaps in place. The base comes in two sections that twist to lock in place. Once the base is locked in place, you can either leave it together or take it apart for storage.
The puncture-free wheels slide onto the base and have toggle locks that hold the wheels securely in place. Other carts out there have a shaky connection where the wheels attach to the base.
Once the base and wheels are in place, you can snap the hull pads on and strap your kayak down.
Durable
The C-Tug kayak cart is made out of a very durable, lightweight reinforced composite. It has been heavily engineered to be durable and versatile.
The cart feels very different than other “plastic” carts out there. The crossbars make the base fit securely together. The wheels are puncture-free with a hi-grip rubber tread and fit on stainless steel reinforced axles.
C-Tug is designed not to rust or corrode, so it is engineered to last a long time. It stands up very well to different types of terrain.
Foldable
One problem paddlers have with a kayak cart is what to do with it when they are on the water. Some kayaks have plenty of storage space, and others don’t.
One of the great features of the C-Tug kayak cart is how easily it breaks down for storage. Granted, it won’t fit on every recreational kayak, it is nice to have options.
The cart disassembles in about 20 seconds. With many kayaks, C-Tug will break down and fit in a storage hatch. The cart can be stored behind the seat on other kayaks or strapped down the bow or stern.
If you have space in the cockpit, between your legs, that is an option as well. You might even be able to put the pieces here and there, where you have space for them.
The point is, the cart breaks down into pieces that you can store on your kayak while on the water.
Accessories
SandTrakz wheels are available for the C-Tug cart (sold separately). These tires are designed for soft terrain, specifically sand. If you portage over a lot of sand, you might want to consider upgrading to these tires.
I have not tried the SandTrakz so I can’t attest to how well they work.
They fit the cart, so you can snap the new wheels on.
- Puncture-free wheels with high grip rubber tread; Never worry about getting a flat...
- Durable Construction: The C-Tug is made of Reinforced composite material,...
- Reinforced composite materials, thermo-bonded elastomeric hull pads
- Puncture-free wheels with hi-grip rubber tread
Who is the C-Tug kayak cart for?
C-Tug is excellent for solo or tandem paddlers with heavy kayaks. If you own a large, heavy fishing kayak, the C-Tug is an excellent option. It’s a heavy-duty cart that can take a beating.
You don’t need to have a monster kayak to use this cart, either. If you have a lightweight recreational kayak, the C-Tug is great too. It’s versatile and can be used with a wide variety of kayaks and canoes.
Any paddler who struggles to transport a kayak from their vehicle to the water can benefit from the cart, especially if you have to trek a long way to get to the water.
You can even use it with an inflatable kayak. I use my C-Tug to transport my Sea Eagle 380x because it’s long and full of gear. It’s so much easier to transport the kayak to the water using the cart.
The cart can handle all kinds of terrain, so if you are in the market for a durable, lightweight kayak cart, the C-Tug is worth a look.
Who is the C-Tug kayak cart not for?
If you have a lightweight kayak, or maybe an inflatable, you might not benefit from this cart. Honestly, anyone can use it, no matter how small or lightweight your kayak is.
The limiting factor would be price. This cart is more expensive than others on the market. C-Tug will last a very long time, and it’s an excellent option, but if you want to spend less on a cart, there are other options to choose from.
Other things to consider
Storage
It’s best to store your C-Tug cart indoors or at least out of direct sunlight. Although the cart is designed to outdoors, it will degrade if you leave it in strong sunlight for extended periods.
Maintenance
After using your cart in sandy, dusty, or saltwater conditions, it is recommended you remove the wheels, disassemble the cart and spray it down with fresh water. Don’t use any solvents. Freshwater is best.
I take my cart completely apart and hose it down and let it dry at home before I put it away.
FAQ’s
Does the C-Tug have a kickstand?
Yes, the cart has a kickstand to help with loading.
Can I use C-Tug with a canoe?
Yes, the cart can be used with a canoe. The hull pads are adjustable so you can change the angle of the pads depending on the shape of the hull.
Can I transport two kayaks at the same time?
The cart is designed to transport one kayak, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try.
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Conclusion
C-Tug is a robust kayak cart designed to take the work out of getting your kayak to and from the water. This cart is durable, versatile, and lightweight, which makes it perfect for a variety of kayaks.
The cart is engineered to handle a lot of different types of terrain. The rubber grip tires resist slipping and give the cart a smooth ride. If you are tired of lugging your kayak, the C-Tug is worth a look.
If you have any questions about this C-Tug kayak cart review, please drop us a line.
