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Southerntier Custom Fabricators Donates Kayak Rack to Friends of the Chemung River

by | Aug 26, 2025 | Community, Fabrication

Custom Design & Fabrication

July 2025 – Southerntier Custom Fabricators (STCF) worked with the Friends of Chemung River Watershed, Inc. group to custom design and fabricate a kayak rack so they could efficiently transport their numerous kayaks easily and safely. Southerntier Custom Fabricators is proud to support the local community with this donation project.

Previously, the group had used several standard vehicle roof racks, requiring more physical labor to load and unload multiple kayaks, and had the opportunity to utilize a donated kayak rack for a short period of time before it was auctioned off, leaving the Friends of the Chemung River Watershed group searching for their next kayak transportation solution. Jim Emmick, Board President of the Friends of Chemung River Watershed group, reached out to his friend John Health, STCF’s foreman, looking for support for a much needed kayak rack.
STCF was glad to assist the group with designing and fabricating a custom kayak rack that would last for years to come. Two summer STCF interns working under Health took charge of the project and were able to continue to develop their fabrication and welding skills throughout the course of the project.
Photo by Jim Pfiffer
Photo by Jim Pfiffer

Actively Involved In The Community

STCF selected 1 ½ X 1 ½ aluminum square tubing that was left over from a previous project to custom fabricate the kayak rack. Lightweight and durable, aluminum was an ideal choice for the kayak rack, which would be exposed to varying weather and road conditions. The STCF team had to engineer the kayak rack to withstand rough road conditions and weld reinforcing gussets to mitigate potential failure, further strengthening the structure to create an extended lifespan. STCF designed and manufactured a durable 50-pound kayak rack, measuring 6 feet tall, 6 feet long, and 5 feet wide, built to carry up to six kayaks at a time. Emmick then bolted the new kayak rack to the group’s trailer and the Friends of the Chemung River group was ready for their next adventure.

STCF is actively involved in the local community and supports valuable organizations that have a positive impact. Through the skills of Forman John Health and his team of interns, the Friends of the Chemung River Watershed can continue to promote the preservation and protection of Elmira, NY’s local natural resources, easily transporting their fleet of kayaks to wherever the road takes them.

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