Carrying a Kayak?

stoutdog · **Posted:** Wed Jan 06, 2010 4:18 pm

I'm looking at purchasing a kayak in the near future and was wondering how to tie it down on the roof of my KJ (I've only had trucks, prior to this). I have a roof rack and the Mopar cross bars... is it sufficient to just tightly strap it down?

I also need to plan for the possibility of bringing two kayaks on day trips. Would I need a special carrier for this?

Thanks.

JMSMN · **Posted:** Wed Jan 06, 2010 6:05 pm

Safest and most secure way would be to buy the actual carries. They do make foam pieces you can use and ratchet strap the heck out of them.

eyehatetofu · **Posted:** Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:57 pm

If you are going to carry two kayaks, I would look into the Yakima Kayak stacker:

http://www.amazon.com/Yakima-Stacker-Rooftop-Carrier-Tie-Downs/dp/B000N7XBC4

I have this stacker and it works really well. I bought mine awhile ago and was considerably cheaper, so I'd shop around. As far as securing them to your vehicle, two straps around your 'yaks and one front and rear; that is what is suggested. I use to do it this way but found it unnecessary. The straps were also rubbing the paint off of the vehicle. Two properly used cam lock (I think is what they're called) straps are all you need. Also I would look into the foam blocks that cover the roof rails, they protect your boats when you cinch down the straps.

:2cents:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:32 pm

Does anyone have any pictures with one on their roof? Ill probably be buying one sometime soon. Figured I could just use the hitch and front tow hooks for tie offs there. Keep some micro fiber towels with me to protect the paint on the Jeep. Then one strap over the kayak from side to side.

Since were on the subject, what type of kayak does everyone have? Two seater, one seater, brand??

eyehatetofu · **Posted:** Thu Jan 07, 2010 1:08 am

I have two Wilderness Systems Pamlico 100's

I am no kayak expert, but these were best bang for my buck and the biggest I could have (10ft) and fit in my old apartment storage closet. They are real fun in flat water and slow moving rivers.

I for the life of me couldn't find any attached to the roof of my GF's old car (haven't had these on the top of the Jeep yet), or anyother pics. I know I have some just can't find them.

jeepzilla · **Posted:** Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:11 am

I went with Yakima Land sharks, they where relatively cheap in comparison to others.

Here's a pic of them on. There's a couple more in the tires section on page 2 of the Goodyear Duratrac review.

http://img403.imageshack.us/i/dsc00279f.jpg/

As for Brand I have a 14'6" wilderness system seacret, and a 16' Nimbus Puffin.

I've paddled several wilderness systems as well as a couple other brands, but over all the Wilderness systems rock.

If your new or relatively new to kayaking, I highly recommend buying used for your first. If you scout on craigslist an ebay as well as local papers you can find great deals. Both mine came with paddles and I have less then $700 invested in both and they work great. comparable kayaks new would have run $2000-$3000, and thats not including paddles.

P.S welcome to the world of paddling!

stoutdog · **Posted:** Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:28 am

jeepzilla wrote:

I went with Yakima Land sharks, they where relatively cheap in comparison to others.

Here's a pic of them on. There's a couple more in the tires section on page 2 of the Goodyear Duratrac review.

http://img403.imageshack.us/i/dsc00279f.jpg/

As for Brand I have a 14'6" wilderness system seacret, and a 16' Nimbus Puffin.

I've paddled several wilderness systems as well as a couple other brands, but over all the Wilderness systems rock.

If your new or relatively new to kayaking, I highly recommend buying used for your first. If you scout on craigslist an ebay as well as local papers you can find great deals. Both mine came with paddles and I have less then $700 invested in both and they work great. comparable kayaks new would have run $2000-$3000, and thats not including paddles.

P.S welcome to the world of paddling!

Oh wow, I really like that setup. As some of my trips will be solo, some with a friend, what you have appears to be ideal. I presume the land sharks are completely adjustable so that I can carry either one kayak flat or two on their sides? How well do the kayaks rest while being strapped in? Any tips on strapping them in (other than the obvious bow/stern tie down and strap around the middle)?

Thanks!

On a side note, I'm looking at getting a Malibu X-13. I found one locally (on craigslist) for close to 1/2 the list price, like new! It's apparently a relatively fast kayak with good tracking and turning abilities; but, more importantly, it's for exploring and FISHING! (I just can't get the redneck out of me, and I can't afford a "real" boat) :pepper:

jeepzilla · **Posted:** Thu Jan 07, 2010 1:29 pm

Thanks! I like the set-up,but my kayaks are long so I'm looking into a way to farther apart ( front to back on the roof ). The land sharks are adjustable but if you set them up at a decent distance apart they'll fit most type kayaks with no adjustment. They can be moved as close together or far apart as your cross bars allowed.
Both my kayaks are about 23" inches wide so I went with the 54" ( I think coulda been 60" ) Yakima cross bars and spread the saddles at each end so I have space in the middle to strap the paddles down. With the land sharks the kayaks lay flat whether ya carry one or two, so you'd need to get two sets for yours and your friends boat. Wish I had a pic of my kayaks on the rack, but the saddles are off for the winter.
Some of the sit on top kayaks tend to be heavy so ya might want to spend a little more an get a set of rollers for the rear set. They work the same as saddles when the kayaks are on but help slide the boat up when loading or unloading. As for strapping them down, I just use basic ratchet straps with decent handle. I also went and bolted a couple eye-bolts to the crossbars to make it easier to hook the straps.
One of my close friends LOVES to fish from his kayak, he goes on all kinds of websites and forums about it. He's got all kinda stuff tied to his kayak.

Rich · **Posted:** Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:37 pm

we use the Thule "Top Deck" to haul our wilderness systems Pamlinco 160T (15'6" stem to stern) with little trouble on our WRX. Got both, kayak and rack at REI's scratch/dent sale this past fall. Rack was $15 and the brand new kayak was..... $365 OTD. It had a small crack where the rudder assy bolted to the hull. I drove to a plastic fabrication company and had the PE "welded" for $20. Now she is as good as new!

The Top Deck does well if you have anyone to help load, but if you didn't, get one of the units with the rollers on the end to aid in loading.

Regardless of how you rack it, make SURE it's carried upside-down! You don't want it filling with water in a freak storm and rupturing the hull, crushing the cross bars, or killing the roof of your Jeep.

stoutdog · **Posted:** Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:40 pm

I ended up buying this: http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/ ... 0125M.html

Got the last one in stock, for $10 off MSRP. They promised it would arrive early next week, which is perfect as the owner of the kayak has told me that I need to make a decision by then... it would be nice to be able to bring the yak home without having to bungie cord it, redneck style, to the roof :jester:

jeepzilla · **Posted:** Fri Jan 08, 2010 4:32 pm

Nice choice... Those where on my list when I was looking but I was getting 2 sets so budget called for the lower cost ones lol! Those work nice because the pads tilt to accomidate different hull shapes.. Make sure you get some ratchet straps Reese makes some decent ones ( wally world sells those )....

stoutdog · **Posted:** Fri Jan 08, 2010 4:57 pm

jeepzilla wrote:

Nice choice... Those where on my list when I was looking but I was getting 2 sets so budget called for the lower cost ones lol! Those work nice because the pads tilt to accomidate different hull shapes.. Make sure you get some ratchet straps Reese makes some decent ones ( wally world sells those )....

Great, thanks. I will definitely look into the ratchet straps... for the moment, I just want something to secure the kayak when I pick it up next week. I would probably cry if I tried to rig something macgyver-esque and lost my new yak overboard before I even got it home!

Rich · **Posted:** Fri Jan 08, 2010 6:57 pm

stoutdog wrote:

jeepzilla wrote:

Nice choice... Those where on my list when I was looking but I was getting 2 sets so budget called for the lower cost ones lol! Those work nice because the pads tilt to accomidate different hull shapes.. Make sure you get some ratchet straps Reese makes some decent ones ( wally world sells those )....

Great, thanks. I will definitely look into the ratchet straps... for the moment, I just want something to secure the kayak when I pick it up next week. I would probably cry if I tried to rig something macgyver-esque and lost my new yak overboard before I even got it home!

I use a set of those motorcycle tie-down ratchet straps you can get at just about every parts shop. Remember to bring some sort of cord to attach our stem and stern to the bumpers.

stoutdog · **Posted:** Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:08 pm

Rich wrote:

stoutdog wrote:

jeepzilla wrote:

Nice choice... Those where on my list when I was looking but I was getting 2 sets so budget called for the lower cost ones lol! Those work nice because the pads tilt to accomidate different hull shapes.. Make sure you get some ratchet straps Reese makes some decent ones ( wally world sells those )....

Great, thanks. I will definitely look into the ratchet straps... for the moment, I just want something to secure the kayak when I pick it up next week. I would probably cry if I tried to rig something macgyver-esque and lost my new yak overboard before I even got it home!

I use a set of those motorcycle tie-down ratchet straps you can get at just about every parts shop. Remember to bring some sort of cord to attach our stem and stern to the bumpers.

Thanks. The set I ordered supposedly has two straps and two bow/stern cables... so I should be all set!

jeepzilla · **Posted:** Sun Jan 10, 2010 2:55 pm

Definitely still upgrade your straps because the ones that come with are not to desirable. It'll be the best $20 bucks ya spend for your yak!

phxtoad · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:23 pm

Lightly strapped down to Thule crossrails for a short jaunt down to the beach.

Cholla Bay, Mexico

En tequila es verdad

DryBones · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:52 pm

Thule Hull-a-Port. had 2 sets but got rid of the kayaks so I sold 1 of the carriers. This is a 12 foot Heritage FeatherLite Kayak.

stoutdog · **Posted:** Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:24 am

DryBones wrote:

Thule Hull-a-Port. had 2 sets but got rid of the kayaks so I sold 1 of the carriers. This is a 12 foot Heritage FeatherLite Kayak.

How do you find this works on the highway or in bad weather (winds/rain)? I avoided this kind of system because I felt that it would significantly increase drag, be incredibly loud, and act as a wonderful rain barrel.

DryBones · **Posted:** Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:47 pm

only used it once on the KJ. I had a set of them on my Astro Van with 2 kayaks and ran everywhere with them with no problems other than needing a small step stool to get the straps in place at times.

stoutdog · **Posted:** Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:12 am

I bought my kayak today!!! Hopefully I'll have some better pics after I take her out for a run on Sunday, but here she is...

Carrying a Kayak?

Who is online