One person, bad shoulder, trying to load a 17' canoe

[Richard]

I was faced with the same issue. Here was my solution.
(1) If you value your vehicles paint job, Buy racks. Yakama or Thule. You will be glad you did.
(2) Make or buy a set of wheels. They are better than a second person and they will carry the heavy end without a disparaging word.

[Raynard]

Richard, nice rig.

Was that set of wheels a make or buy?

Raynard

[Richard]

I bought them (they were not designed to be used the way I do but it works) but it would not be difficult to make. If I was making them I would essentially do it the way these were done.
Wide enough for good stability.
Tall enough to provide clearance when the front of the canoe is lifted onto the vehicle.

What I would do differently would be to:
(1) make it easier to attach to the canoe (snap on snap off). Mine are tied on using the canoe painter.
(2) and have it to where they are not all the way at the end. That probably means bigger wheels so that there is more clearance.

Loading and unloading:
With the canoe behind the vehicle, lift the front of the canoe and place it on the rear cross bar.
Move to the back of the canoe grab the wheels bar and lift the canoe while moving forward.
Make sure you keep it low in the back until the bow passes over the front cross bar.
Reverse the process to unload.
Thats it.

Bottom line is that they work for me. No second person needed.

[Raynard]

Richard, thanks.

Make, model, price etc? From where?

Raynard

[Richard]

Paddleboy heavy lifter
Since I have it, it is what I use but if I was to do it over again I would make my own. Much cheaper.

google "canoe cart youtube" to get some ideas.