Check out my new TH-cam channel! www.youtube.com/@KenWhitingAdventures is now the place to find all my paddling adventure videos, while PaddleTV will focus on Instruction and Gear Reviews.
THX for the Great primer for first time buyers and good info for veteran yakers ready to upgrade their racks. A couple points to add: 1. Strap your boat just in front of and just behind the cockpit (the hull is always strongest there and the cockpit coaming will prevent the boat from sliding forward or aft when strapped that way. 2. When using the Bow and Stern straps, never crank down tight on them., you will do serious damage to your boat! They are only safety lines to keep the boat attached to the car if the rack fails. 3. those J bars that you showed at 10:48 have a fatal flaw. If you strap to the j bar only, when it fails the boat becomes a kite. I have seen that happen more than once.
Another great video. This question is probably the 2nd most asked question on our local Facebook groups right after "what's a good first kayak?" So much easier to share your videos than try and answer myself.
Don’t forget when a “load” overhangs the rear of your vehicle you may need to have a red flag (or red light at night) depending on the length of overhang and the local laws.
I've owned several canoes throughout my life. Just bought my 1st kayak, bought my Yakima rooftop carriers before I went to buy my yak. Only used it once, so far, just ordered a kayak specific PFD, shopping for a longer paddle (260). But the biggest eye opener has been the damage from dragging (I assumed it would be like a canoe) bought Kydex to make keel guards and I'll be adding side handles; both for carrying/loading, & standing up and stepping out! Fun new hobby that my son & grandkids brought me into!
I have that overhaul HD rack on my Toyota Tundra. Absolutely worth the money if you are really into water sports. I can fit three 15’+ boats up top and three 10’8” paddle boards below the rack. Enjoyed the demo Ken.
I use roof racks. I drive a little Hyundai Accent four-door hatch, and the roof racks make it look a little more badass, but especially with the 'yak on top. And best part about having a small car, I can easily load it and unload it myself. I use two straps, one on either end of the cockpit, right under the spray skirt lip, and I've never lived in fear of it sliding out; it does not move at all. Though I don't have a super long one. It's about mid-range in length, can't remember the exact size. The last part of my set up is, I mounted my kayak from the garage ceiling, so now when I take it out, it's just an easy (kind of) releasing of the straps over the car, then strapping it down to the car.
Nice options described for people starting out. I've been toting rooftop boats for decades. Kevlar kayaks to heavy duck hunting canoes to wooden piroue boats. If you dont have a hard fastened roof rack (bolted on) then running the strap through open doors is best on modern curvy car roofs. There is really no other firm purchase on wind runnel cars. Watch out for rain when the car is parked in a thunderstorm...but driving through rain I've not had problems. The pads are terrible about picking up sand, dirt and gravel if you sit them down first to mount the boat. Sandpapers the finish. I either mount them facing up and flip the boat in air (canoe for instance) ...or I sit the two pads on towels on the ground to avoid picking up dirt. Straps...not too tight. Cam straps are fine just tug tight. Ratchet straps can cave in a boat or permanently dent your roof. It is not necessary to add 500lbs of torque to hold a 40lb boat. Ropes....learn the truckers knot and you'll find ropes are much easier than tensioning with bowlines and half hitches. Learned that after years of tying far too many knots.
Very good video. Very good youtube channel! Your channel should be watched by everyone who is thinking about buying a kayak. I recommend it to all my French friends who are thinking of buying a kayak.
Helpful but would also add that ropes can stretch and it is better to use straps as you showed most of the time. The foam pads can also be mounted on most standard car roof racks. And dont forget kayak carts for those that live just a couple blocks from the water.
Awesome video man, I wish I could have found it a month ago! I'm 2 months into kayaking and after buying my first kayak I was scratching my head as to transporting it. I bought an inflatable roof rack but was annoying because it could be punctured and felt unsteady. I ended up buying roof racks and tried to get them to fit on a coupe 2013 Honda. Didn't quite fit so I simply bolted them to the car and so far I've had no problems with loading or anything. Along with some ratchet straps and a locking cable I feel safe driving with 2 kayaks in top of my car.
@ou812true5 I've used cam straps and to be honest they don't work for me they tend to come off loose and I didn't put much faith in them when I used them. As long as you're not maxing the hell out of the ratchet straps and putting on a lock you will be good to go.
For sit on top kayaks, if you can put it on edge with J style rack, I like to send a strap through the scupper holes. then you dont have to worry about bow lines in the same way.
Excellent video! I like how you went from the foam blocks to the 1500 dollar Mac Daddy option! I myself have a truck that I use a bed extender for my 14.5' Tsunami. I also made a aluminum roof bar to use when I want to put the kayak on top of my truck, which has no rack. Thanks for the video, learned a lot!
I have the Yakima Overhaul HD with a tonneau cover…I just purchased a used Eddyline Rio now figuring out if I want the Yakima Sweetwater pads system or padding on the bars. Fun decisions.
Thanks for a great video. I’m looking at getting into kayaking. I’ve got a Chevy Suburban, so I’ve got plenty of roof to work with. However I don’t have a rack and have no desire to put one on. Those foam blocks along with straps through both doors look like the way to go. Thanks again.
Skin on frame folding kayaks are a great option. Although they are expensive and most are sea/expedition style kayaks. Long haul, Nautraid, Neris, Klepper, Wayland & others are great brands to consider. They take about 30 minutes to assemble but are extremely capable and properly outfitted can take you anywhere in the world you would like to go. They can be rigged for sailing and can accommodate outriggers too! My 16' Long haul Mk I expedition class fits nicely in the back of my mustang. These are some of the best folders in the world so be prepared for some sticker shock! cheers everyone.
I am about to buy my first "serious" kayak used and I was really sweating how I was going to transport it as I'm going out of town for it. I had no idea there was a solution for flat top vehicles that isn't an expensive set of roof racks and fittings. Thanks for the video!
there are lots of good youtube videos on how to load a kayak onto your roof by yourself. I'm 5'1 50 yo female and load my 60# kayak on top of my rav4 by myself now after the instruction. I do use a stool to strap it on tho.
Great information. I just brought home my sit on top Pelican. I was traveling 35-45mph and looked out my window to see half my kayak hanging off the car! Scary! I retighten everything and made it home safe. I’m using j racks and ratcheting straps. I had put all my strength into the tie down. Obviously I need to do better. Great info for beginners. Some parts of the video didn’t seem very beginner/ish. Thanks though. Great tricks with editing.
Buy a truck bed extender for trucks.They are inexpensive and do a great job of carrying long kayaks.I use mine to carry 16 foot lumber.A couple of ties and a pool noodle will protect the kayak bottom
Some racks have rollers for EITHER the front or back (NOT BOTH!) so that one person can rack a kayak with minimal problem. I have a 55 lb 14 footer than I can get up on my hatchback's roof rack with minimal struggle.
I transport a Moken 12.5 on top on my vary small car. I get it onto the roof rails solo by using an old area rug and sliding it up the rear hatch on the rug. The rug protects the glass/paint and there is enough contact that I haven't had any issues with damage ect...
I have a small cuv. It had solid roof rails but no crossbars. I made a point of saying I needed cross rails for my kayak. The dealer threw in the cross rails for free. Because of the antenna I load it from the driver's side & angle it onto the crossbar. Remember to put a bathmat on your roof so you don't svratch the paint.
Bow lines- open your hood and cow hitch two loops around the hinges. Connect your straps to the loops. Very strong and secure. Tuck the loops below the wipers when you’re not transporting.
With your front and rear straps, you should loop through the mounting points rather than using open hooks. The motion of the kayak/strap can cause enough slack that an open hook may release from the car.
I prefer to transport it upside down. When the kayak is upside down, it tends to be more aerodynamic reducing noise and fuel consumption. It also avoids having all sorts of debris and bugs from the road falling or being squished into the cockpit.
I think makes more sense to first put cushioning on roof and then kayak, otherwise you start from sand and dirt and it will scratch roof. When cushioning goes on first you have more control to keep it clean on underside.
I’m using after market used roof top rack I got off Facebook marketplace on my pickup. On a recent trip most of the parking spaces were in a garage. Luckily I was 2 to 3 three shorter than the maximum height of the ceiling of the parking garage .
This is my 1st year kayak fishing 🎣 what would you reccomend once I put in at one of the public boat ramps and need to take my kayak cart back to my vehicle? I hate to leave my my kayak unattended ☹️ maybe lock my kayak to something? Appreciate your videos and info
I seriously recommend beginners research techniques and methods for loading the boat onto the vehicle roof solo. That skill and various techniques are also an important component in transporting kayaks via the roof top. Learning a good technique(s) specific to your vehicle/roof/carrier minimizes the chance for mishaps that can injure you or damage your vehicle and/or kayak.
Hey Ken, I enjoy your videos, And I just bought my first Kayak ! I was wondering if you would do a video review on the ‘Perception Carolina 12’ I haven’t tested it out yet, But I plan to use it for Day trips around the Puget Sound area.
Very nice video again to help us new to kayaking facing different kind of challenges this time how to transport. If possible i would like to request a video how to adjust your thigh support and seat to suit your size. Thank you for advance
I haul my yaks in a pickup with an extender. 12' but most the time 2 yaks @ 14' each. Mine never slop around like his did when he did the video.I use 2 straps.
TIP: You don't need bow and back straps! When carrying two kayaks on J racks, thread the strap through the opposite adjacent rack on the other side. This will mean the two J racks become one solid piece. This is MUCH stronger than using front and back straps and saves considerable time. When transporting a single kayak, I still use the opposite rack as an additional brace-- stronger and faster.
Another option if you don't have a car, or you don't want to use your car to go kayaking, is to get an inflatable kayak along with a bicycle trailer, such as the BOB Yak.
My car (SUV) also have a removable front towing eye that came with the vehicule, which can be screwed on the left or right on the front bumper. I went to a car scrap yard and bought a second eye. Now I have two nice eyes, one on each side, to attach the bow of each kayaks with a rope. This is really easier to set up than having to crawl under the front of the car to find an anchor point.
It is a bit tough for one person to load/unload a 80-90 pounds fishing kayak. I have seen tons and tons of videos on how to car top a heavy kayak on a sedan , but still not 100 satisfied.People loading from the back putting a mat ( to avoid scratches) , some people loading from the sides etc etc. Is there any other better method or perhaps to buy any sort of accessories to car top a heavy kayak easily?? Maybe some sort of extender from the hitch to help load and unload?
How your door d8n't start leaking during heavy rain or carwashes. A tight strap on the door seals can damage them. Best to buy Jhooks to add to roof rails. Another option is to place the kayak upside down on the roof rails and add straps around the rail then around the kayak especiallynif the roof rails come equipped with rubber strips on top of the rails to grip the kayak and to protect the kayak surface. A trailer is great also especially for two kayaks. Roof rail load maximums should be considered for two kayaks.
I drive an 2008 2 door soft top Jeep Wrangler and im pretty much screwed with hauling a kayak. Sure I could strap it down to the roll bars on top but that requires taking down the top and even getting to the destination I would have to put the top back up or else an open jeep is great for thieves. I could go online and buy a roof rack for the jeep but the cost of one thats an instant no.
Nice video. I’ve been debating between those two trailers. My wife and I both have vapors. Our three kids have kid size sit on top kayaks. My sister has a vapor. My parents have a tandem sit on top kayak. Which trailer would you recommend? What if it is just my wife and the three kids?
That's a lot of kayaks to transport at once! :) The EasyRider is probably the only one you'll fit 4/5 kayaks on. I like the EasyRider and think it's great for paved road use, but something to note is that I had mine fall apart on gravel roads with washboard. The rattling broke the plastic fenders and destroyed one of the shocks. If you're going to be going on rough, unpaved roads, you might want to look at the RacknRoll. Malone also has some good options for 4+ kayaks.
Concerning your straps-through-the-doors method... If you were to get caught in rain would you end up with water penetrating the seals on the doors and leaking into the car? Also, is that a method you would trust at highway speeds for a trip of 5 hours or more?
Good questions! I don't think you'd have much/any water leak into the car. The seals on the door will still do their job. It wouldn't be a big issue. As for trusting it on highways speeds... If don't right, then yes. It would hold. I would definitely stop periodically to double check things, but it works.
@@PaddleTV : Good to know. Looking at the prices of Thule and Yakima racks and all the necessary accessories associated with them I was expecting to pay just about as much money for rooftop gear as I will be paying for the kayak I'm interested in. Thank you for the information. 👍
Can you install a j rack facing inward, and load it from the rear? Upper body strength ain't what it used to be, so picking up and holding a 76 pound kayak gets difficult.
That can definitely work, depending on the kayak, and depending on the spacing of your bars. Sometimes it fits really well upside down (especially sit-inside kayaks), but often the kayak doesn't 'sit' well upside down - especially sit-on-top kayaks. The added benefit of doing what you suggest, is that rain won't fill your cockpit (for sit-insides). Rain can add a lot of water weight to your boat!
Depends on the boat for me. I have two Phoenix kevlar long kayaks. One is flat topped (Slipper) one has a sharp ridge riser of the deck (Isre). I always transport the Slipper upside down. It avoids collecting rain...it reduces strain that causes oil canning of the hull. The Isre...is too weird and tippy upside down.
new to the hobby, I noticed some kayak trails near me say fast moving water. My question is, if I'm out kayaking solo, how do I get back to my vehicle if the water is moving too fast to paddle back up stream?
There are a lot of choices on Amazon for this kind of simple product. For shopping for a rooftop rack, I still prefer to go to a physical store because there a so many compatibility factors to consider between the rack, your car and your kayak(s).
Don't forget to put a strap through the blocks, I assumed the weight of the kayak would hold them still 😠 that's a mistake ya only make once lol, still shaking my head about it
my jeep has side roof rails but no cross bars on the roof. can i use this technique except with the straps attached to the roof rails instead of looped around inside the car? anyone have experience doing this? thanks
This kayak (Native Falcon 11) comes with the wheel integrated into the stern of the kayak, to allow you to pull it to the water. You can easily add something like this to any kayak though. The best option is to get a kayak cart. Check out suspenz.com
When rooftoping, I have rails, but no crossbars. Can I run the straps through the rails instead of through the vehicle? Does it matter if the kayak is upside-down or not?
Good question.... It depends on how sturdy the rails are. The owners manual will probably tell you the max load for those rails. You can put the kayak either way. Upright can take advantage of the deck features of a kayak, which will help stop the kayak from shooting forward off the vehicle - like the cockpit coaming. On the other hand, if it rains while you have a sit-inside kayak upright, you'll be collecting water/weight in the kayak, which isn't good if it's significant rain.
@@PaddleTV was thinking that it might be more aerodynamic for the the kayak to be upside down. Wind going over the contors of the hull instead of pushing the bow/stern up.
It's definitely the safe thing to do. That being said, if I'm not going very far, I usually don't bother with it if the straps are 'locking' it into place. What I mean by that, is that if the straps go around the kayak in a narrower spot, then theoretically, the kayak won't be able to shoot off the racks, because the thicker part of the kayak can't get past the straps. Make sense? For example, if your kayak has a cockpit coaming (that a skirt fits over), if the front strap is in front of the cockpit coaming, the kayak can't shoot forwards, because the strap will catch the cockpit coaming.
Looks like a great solution for trailers, RVs or other tall vehicles, but I personally wouldn't be comfortable carrying kayaks vertically on a normal size car, SUV, or truck. It seems to me that it would act like a sail and make your vehicle dangerously top heavy. Have you tried it?
I need to find the "magic" part. Tying down isn't all that hard. Getting a kayak 6' 6" onto my Suburban roof tends to be the bigger challenge. Oddly enough, sliding a 16 or 18 ft boat over the rear with a bath mat is easier than getting my shorter whitewater boat up there. I also use ropes for the bow and stern instead of strap. That tends to avoid the strap buzz issue.
It's true... the 'magic' part is the toughest part, isn't it? That's why I love my pickup and trailer now. When I was on the road competing (20-25 years ago), I had a pickup with a camper on the back. I had a rack system welded to the roof of the camper. The result was a rack that was about 10 feet above ground level. Getting the kayaks up there was always interesting!
@@PaddleTV The "magic" gets tougher when you convert your garage into a woodshop and store your kayaks in a backyard shed 100 ft away from your vehicle.
I saw a kayak in median it stayed there for 3 days. It was in a busy section on interstate people run you over in a heartbeat. I wanted to get it bad. I would not trust not getting hit. I wanted it bad but not die for. I think maybe road crew got it.
Magic! Ok... truth is that it's a real pain doing it solo, and you risk knocking your sideview mirror of your vehicle (I've done it - twice). Best bet is to get someone to help - one person at each end.
@@PaddleTV did you ever come across an attachment with rollers, to push kayak easily from the back ? if yes can you suggest one. I also have a flycraft which might need full length system.
I have a flatbed truck and I use ratchet straps instead of cam straps but will say I was a slow learner with the ratchet straps! LOL I'm talking the smaller-sized ratchet straps, not the big yellow trucker straps. But I feel ratchet straps are a much safer choice.
Ratchet straps can be used but you have to be cautious. 1) They can easily be overtightened and warp the haul of the boat. Be gentle and check the tension of the straps almost at each click when there is no more slack in the strap. 2) The chunky ratchet mechanism can hit the boat and damage it way more than a simple cam. Just place it some place where is does not touch the kayak or tie something soft like a cloth or a piece of foam between the ratchet and the boat.
You can easily damage your hatch by driving with it open, even if it is strapped or tied down. The hinges and hatch are designed to be driven only when closed. Also it is possible on long trips to get exhaust in the car through the open hatch.
I forgot to add that I know many people that fold the passenger seat forward and rest the boat on the dash in order to be able to close the hatch. At the first hard stop the boat always slides forward and cracks the windshield. Some people learn that the hard way.
No I definitely don't like the idea to put kayak into pickup this way. My kayak is 18+ft long . The best way, for me, is to put it on roof rack/ And even in this case I don't feel comfortable with 1.2+m (4 ft) tail hanging behind my car I might be hit to. 14:40 - this is the best way to put kayak on pickup! 2-3 kayak are fits nice, I think! I like this system!
I thought waterfront storage came with a kayak purchase. You just call them & they get your boat ready & even pack your cooler so it’s ready when you hit the water.
![How to Transport a Kayak: Solo Loading and Unloading [NO LOAD ASSIST]](/img/n.gif)
Check out my new TH-cam channel! www.youtube.com/@KenWhitingAdventures is now the place to find all my paddling adventure videos, while PaddleTV will focus on Instruction and Gear Reviews.
I have never seen anyone on you-tube strap the foam pads to the kayak first. Thank you for that It make so much sense.
Im thinking about getting the hollow pool noodles for that.
THX for the Great primer for first time buyers and good info for veteran yakers ready to upgrade their racks. A couple points to add: 1. Strap your boat just in front of and just behind the cockpit (the hull is always strongest there and the cockpit coaming will prevent the boat from sliding forward or aft when strapped that way. 2. When using the Bow and Stern straps, never crank down tight on them., you will do serious damage to your boat! They are only safety lines to keep the boat attached to the car if the rack fails. 3. those J bars that you showed at 10:48 have a fatal flaw. If you strap to the j bar only, when it fails the boat becomes a kite. I have seen that happen more than once.
I would also loop your straps through the kayaks side carry handles. This would also stop kayak sliding forward under braking. On roof rack.
Another great video. This question is probably the 2nd most asked question on our local Facebook groups right after "what's a good first kayak?" So much easier to share your videos than try and answer myself.
Thanks Josh!
This video helped me feel a lot more confident about hauling my new kayak atop my car. Thank you.
Glad I could help!
Don’t forget when a “load” overhangs the rear of your vehicle you may need to have a red flag (or red light at night) depending on the length of overhang and the local laws.
Great point! I forgot to mention that.
I've owned several canoes throughout my life. Just bought my 1st kayak, bought my Yakima rooftop carriers before I went to buy my yak. Only used it once, so far, just ordered a kayak specific PFD, shopping for a longer paddle (260). But the biggest eye opener has been the damage from dragging (I assumed it would be like a canoe) bought Kydex to make keel guards and I'll be adding side handles; both for carrying/loading, & standing up and stepping out! Fun new hobby that my son & grandkids brought me into!
I have that overhaul HD rack on my Toyota Tundra. Absolutely worth the money if you are really into water sports. I can fit three 15’+ boats up top and three 10’8” paddle boards below the rack. Enjoyed the demo Ken.
I use roof racks. I drive a little Hyundai Accent four-door hatch, and the roof racks make it look a little more badass, but especially with the 'yak on top. And best part about having a small car, I can easily load it and unload it myself.
I use two straps, one on either end of the cockpit, right under the spray skirt lip, and I've never lived in fear of it sliding out; it does not move at all. Though I don't have a super long one. It's about mid-range in length, can't remember the exact size.
The last part of my set up is, I mounted my kayak from the garage ceiling, so now when I take it out, it's just an easy (kind of) releasing of the straps over the car, then strapping it down to the car.
Amazing!
Nice options described for people starting out. I've been toting rooftop boats for decades. Kevlar kayaks to heavy duck hunting canoes to wooden piroue boats.
If you dont have a hard fastened roof rack (bolted on) then running the strap through open doors is best on modern curvy car roofs. There is really no other firm purchase on wind runnel cars. Watch out for rain when the car is parked in a thunderstorm...but driving through rain I've not had problems.
The pads are terrible about picking up sand, dirt and gravel if you sit them down first to mount the boat. Sandpapers the finish. I either mount them facing up and flip the boat in air (canoe for instance) ...or I sit the two pads on towels on the ground to avoid picking up dirt.
Straps...not too tight. Cam straps are fine just tug tight. Ratchet straps can cave in a boat or permanently dent your roof. It is not necessary to add 500lbs of torque to hold a 40lb boat.
Ropes....learn the truckers knot and you'll find ropes are much easier than tensioning with bowlines and half hitches. Learned that after years of tying far too many knots.
"I magically transported the kayak onto to roof of the vehicle...and I'm out of breath for a completely unrelated reason" ;)
Very good video. Very good youtube channel! Your channel should be watched by everyone who is thinking about buying a kayak. I recommend it to all my French friends who are thinking of buying a kayak.
Thank you! I'm really happy to hear people finding it useful!
Helpful but would also add that ropes can stretch and it is better to use straps as you showed most of the time. The foam pads can also be mounted on most standard car roof racks. And dont forget kayak carts for those that live just a couple blocks from the water.
You had too much fun poofing between scenes 😆 thanks for the vids!
Awesome video man, I wish I could have found it a month ago! I'm 2 months into kayaking and after buying my first kayak I was scratching my head as to transporting it. I bought an inflatable roof rack but was annoying because it could be punctured and felt unsteady. I ended up buying roof racks and tried to get them to fit on a coupe 2013 Honda. Didn't quite fit so I simply bolted them to the car and so far I've had no problems with loading or anything. Along with some ratchet straps and a locking cable I feel safe driving with 2 kayaks in top of my car.
Thanks! Sorry I didn't get the video out earlier :). Glad you've figured out a good system.
@ou812true5 I've used cam straps and to be honest they don't work for me they tend to come off loose and I didn't put much faith in them when I used them.
As long as you're not maxing the hell out of the ratchet straps and putting on a lock you will be good to go.
Love your videos. The quality of the video and audio and the comprehensive nature of the video is unparrelled.
Thanks!
For sit on top kayaks, if you can put it on edge with J style rack, I like to send a strap through the scupper holes. then you dont have to worry about bow lines in the same way.
That's a great point Michael. I've never done that, but I'll try it next time.
Excellent video! I like how you went from the foam blocks to the 1500 dollar Mac Daddy option! I myself have a truck that I use a bed extender for my 14.5' Tsunami. I also made a aluminum roof bar to use when I want to put the kayak on top of my truck, which has no rack. Thanks for the video, learned a lot!
Thank you!
I have the Yakima Overhaul HD with a tonneau cover…I just purchased a used Eddyline Rio now figuring out if I want the Yakima Sweetwater pads system or padding on the bars. Fun decisions.
Thanks for a great video. I’m looking at getting into kayaking. I’ve got a Chevy Suburban, so I’ve got plenty of roof to work with. However I don’t have a rack and have no desire to put one on. Those foam blocks along with straps through both doors look like the way to go. Thanks again.
Cheers!
Skin on frame folding kayaks are a great option. Although they are expensive and most are sea/expedition style kayaks. Long haul, Nautraid, Neris, Klepper, Wayland & others are great brands to consider. They take about 30 minutes to assemble but are extremely capable and properly outfitted can take you anywhere in the world you would like to go. They can be rigged for sailing and can accommodate outriggers too! My 16' Long haul
Mk I expedition class fits nicely in the back of my
mustang. These are some of the best folders in the world so be prepared for some sticker shock! cheers everyone.
I am about to buy my first "serious" kayak used and I was really sweating how I was going to transport it as I'm going out of town for it. I had no idea there was a solution for flat top vehicles that isn't an expensive set of roof racks and fittings. Thanks for the video!
Happy to help! Enjoy the new kayak!
Wish you had shown how you actually load the kayak onto the roof. From the back or from the side? Any special techniques for lifting it?
there are lots of good youtube videos on how to load a kayak onto your roof by yourself. I'm 5'1 50 yo female and load my 60# kayak on top of my rav4 by myself now after the instruction. I do use a stool to strap it on tho.
I ended up getting a Tucktec folding kayak. It fits into my car, so no need for a roof rack.
Excellent. So many forget bow and stern lines.
Great information. I just brought home my sit on top Pelican. I was traveling 35-45mph and looked out my window to see half my kayak hanging off the car! Scary! I retighten everything and made it home safe. I’m using j racks and ratcheting straps. I had put all my strength into the tie down. Obviously I need to do better. Great info for beginners. Some parts of the video didn’t seem very beginner/ish. Thanks though. Great tricks with editing.
Glad you enjoyed... and glad you made it home safe with the kayak too!
Use cam straps.
Thank you for this information. I purchased a foam kit rack from Amazon for 45 bucks.
Buy a truck bed extender for trucks.They are inexpensive and do a great job of carrying long kayaks.I use mine to carry 16 foot lumber.A couple of ties and a pool noodle will protect the kayak bottom
Some racks have rollers for EITHER the front or back (NOT BOTH!) so that one person can rack a kayak with minimal problem. I have a 55 lb 14 footer than I can get up on my hatchback's roof rack with minimal struggle.
I transport a Moken 12.5 on top on my vary small car. I get it onto the roof rails solo by using an old area rug and sliding it up the rear hatch on the rug. The rug protects the glass/paint and there is enough contact that I haven't had any issues with damage ect...
Good idea! Thanks for sharing.
Smart!
I have a small cuv. It had solid roof rails but no crossbars. I made a point of saying I needed cross rails for my kayak. The dealer threw in the cross rails for free. Because of the antenna I load it from the driver's side & angle it onto the crossbar. Remember to put a bathmat on your roof so you don't svratch the paint.
Bow lines- open your hood and cow hitch two loops around the hinges. Connect your straps to the loops. Very strong and secure. Tuck the loops below the wipers when you’re not transporting.
With your front and rear straps, you should loop through the mounting points rather than using open hooks. The motion of the kayak/strap can cause enough slack that an open hook may release from the car.
Great point Adrian - this has happened to me before, luckily there was no damage to kayak or vehicle
Great video, is there a preference between transporting a kayak right side up or upside down?
I prefer to transport it upside down. When the kayak is upside down, it tends to be more aerodynamic reducing noise and fuel consumption. It also avoids having all sorts of debris and bugs from the road falling or being squished into the cockpit.
@@viaujoc And the inside doesn't get wet if it rains.
I think makes more sense to first put cushioning on roof and then kayak, otherwise you start from sand and dirt and it will scratch roof. When cushioning goes on first you have more control to keep it clean on underside.
How did you know I was wanting this video?
I’m using after market used roof top rack I got off Facebook marketplace on my pickup. On a recent trip most of the parking spaces were in a garage. Luckily I was 2 to 3 three shorter than the maximum height of the ceiling of the parking garage .
This is my 1st year kayak fishing 🎣 what would you reccomend once I put in at one of the public boat ramps and need to take my kayak cart back to my vehicle? I hate to leave my my kayak unattended ☹️ maybe lock my kayak to something? Appreciate your videos and info
Maybe put it on your kayak?
I seriously recommend beginners research techniques and methods for loading the boat onto the vehicle roof solo. That skill and various techniques are also an important component in transporting kayaks via the roof top. Learning a good technique(s) specific to your vehicle/roof/carrier minimizes the chance for mishaps that can injure you or damage your vehicle and/or kayak.
Hey Ken,
I enjoy your videos,
And I just bought my first Kayak !
I was wondering if you would do a video review on the
‘Perception Carolina 12’
I haven’t tested it out yet,
But I plan to use it for Day trips around the Puget Sound area.
I would love to test that kayak out. It looks like the kind of kayak I would really enjoy. Hope to do so soon!
Mine fits in my kangoo Yeah ! Amazing Renault Kangoo
Very nice video again to help us new to kayaking facing different kind of challenges this time how to transport. If possible i would like to request a video how to adjust your thigh support and seat to suit your size. Thank you for advance
Thanks for the note! I'll keep that in mind for future videos.
I haul my yaks in a pickup with an extender. 12' but most the time 2 yaks @ 14' each. Mine never slop around like his did when he did the video.I use 2 straps.
TIP: You don't need bow and back straps!
When carrying two kayaks on J racks, thread the strap through the opposite adjacent rack on the other side. This will mean the two J racks become one solid piece. This is MUCH stronger than using front and back straps and saves considerable time. When transporting a single kayak, I still use the opposite rack as an additional brace-- stronger and faster.
Im lucky to have a sprinter van and i fit in my wilderness pungo 105 kayak no problem. 👍
Nice. A great toy, that fits in a great toy!
Another option if you don't have a car, or you don't want to use your car to go kayaking, is to get an inflatable kayak along with a bicycle trailer, such as the BOB Yak.
, I use the towing eye on the car and on the back I used to towing hitch in the back and when useing all 3 kayak we use a traller
My car (SUV) also have a removable front towing eye that came with the vehicule, which can be screwed on the left or right on the front bumper. I went to a car scrap yard and bought a second eye. Now I have two nice eyes, one on each side, to attach the bow of each kayaks with a rope. This is really easier to set up than having to crawl under the front of the car to find an anchor point.
It is a bit tough for one person to load/unload a 80-90 pounds fishing kayak. I have seen tons and tons of videos on how to car top a heavy kayak on a sedan , but still not 100 satisfied.People loading from the back putting a mat ( to avoid scratches) , some people loading from the sides etc etc.
Is there any other better method or perhaps to buy any sort of accessories to car top a heavy kayak easily?? Maybe some sort of extender from the hitch to help load and unload?
How your door d8n't start leaking during heavy rain or carwashes. A tight strap on the door seals can damage them. Best to buy Jhooks to add to roof rails. Another option is to place the kayak upside down on the roof rails and add straps around the rail then around the kayak especiallynif the roof rails come equipped with rubber strips on top of the rails to grip the kayak and to protect the kayak surface. A trailer is great also especially for two kayaks. Roof rail load maximums should be considered for two kayaks.
I drive an 2008 2 door soft top Jeep Wrangler and im pretty much screwed with hauling a kayak. Sure I could strap it down to the roll bars on top but that requires taking down the top and even getting to the destination I would have to put the top back up or else an open jeep is great for thieves. I could go online and buy a roof rack for the jeep but the cost of one thats an instant no.
Nice video. I’ve been debating between those two trailers. My wife and I both have vapors. Our three kids have kid size sit on top kayaks. My sister has a vapor. My parents have a tandem sit on top kayak. Which trailer would you recommend? What if it is just my wife and the three kids?
That's a lot of kayaks to transport at once! :) The EasyRider is probably the only one you'll fit 4/5 kayaks on. I like the EasyRider and think it's great for paved road use, but something to note is that I had mine fall apart on gravel roads with washboard. The rattling broke the plastic fenders and destroyed one of the shocks. If you're going to be going on rough, unpaved roads, you might want to look at the RacknRoll. Malone also has some good options for 4+ kayaks.
I probably installed the roof rails on your Outback.
Concerning your straps-through-the-doors method... If you were to get caught in rain would you end up with water penetrating the seals on the doors and leaking into the car?
Also, is that a method you would trust at highway speeds for a trip of 5 hours or more?
Good questions! I don't think you'd have much/any water leak into the car. The seals on the door will still do their job. It wouldn't be a big issue. As for trusting it on highways speeds... If don't right, then yes. It would hold. I would definitely stop periodically to double check things, but it works.
@@PaddleTV : Good to know. Looking at the prices of Thule and Yakima racks and all the necessary accessories associated with them I was expecting to pay just about as much money for rooftop gear as I will be paying for the kayak I'm interested in.
Thank you for the information. 👍
Nice tips!
Thanks!
Can you install a j rack facing inward, and load it from the rear? Upper body strength ain't what it used to be, so picking up and holding a 76 pound kayak gets difficult.
What model was that Native green Kayak you loaded in the truck bed? Been looking for a 10'ft style sit on top and it looked quality?
Very informative! Thanks so much!
You are so welcome!
Very informative thanks for sharing😉👌
My pleasure!
Awesome information.
Glad you liked it!
I have enjoyed it thank you
In the first setup, why run the straps through the car doors instead of around the side rails that are right there?
Yup. Good point. I could definitely have done that on this vehicle. In this case, I was demonstrating what to do with any vehicle.
@@PaddleTV Figured that might be the case. Was wondering if I was missing something fundamental, though.
Thanks! Great video. 👍
Cheers!
you dont need the rope in front , because its only when you use the brakes or sudden stops that it goes forward
And how did you tie the front and back lines to the kayak ?!! I need step by step instructions
How about putting the boat upsidedown on the roof rack to avoid deforming the bottom of the hull on the rack bars on a long haul trip?
That can definitely work, depending on the kayak, and depending on the spacing of your bars. Sometimes it fits really well upside down (especially sit-inside kayaks), but often the kayak doesn't 'sit' well upside down - especially sit-on-top kayaks. The added benefit of doing what you suggest, is that rain won't fill your cockpit (for sit-insides). Rain can add a lot of water weight to your boat!
id like a 14ft kayak but only have a 12 foot car. is that a sensible idea or will it be a problem?
I love the look of the Yakima trailer but it’s not available in the UK. Its probably is not street legal here. Pity.
How do you tie your kayak on the bottom level for the easyrider trailer? Thanks
I keep mine in 37 foot slip at the marina.
Is there any reason you shouldn't haul you kayak top side down? I've found that helps to significantly reduce buzzing.
Depends on the boat for me. I have two Phoenix kevlar long kayaks. One is flat topped (Slipper) one has a sharp ridge riser of the deck (Isre). I always transport the Slipper upside down. It avoids collecting rain...it reduces strain that causes oil canning of the hull.
The Isre...is too weird and tippy upside down.
new to the hobby, I noticed some kayak trails near me say fast moving water. My question is, if I'm out kayaking solo, how do I get back to my vehicle if the water is moving too fast to paddle back up stream?
Guess you'd be down Schittes Creek there
Get a motorboat to tow your kayak.
who makes the foam pads you are using @ 1:47? thanks
I got some made by Malone at Academy Sports (local sporting goods store) pretty common item should be easy to find online
If you do a search for 'foam kayak carriers', you'll find lots of options.
There are a lot of choices on Amazon for this kind of simple product. For shopping for a rooftop rack, I still prefer to go to a physical store because there a so many compatibility factors to consider between the rack, your car and your kayak(s).
Don't forget to put a strap through the blocks, I assumed the weight of the kayak would hold them still 😠 that's a mistake ya only make once lol, still shaking my head about it
@@jasonatkins1095 the blocks and kayak slipped, or you had the block fly off? How do you place the strap thru the foam block , vs. around it?
Sadly only options for cars. What about trailers for bikes or to go by foot? They are not as common in Europe but I have seen them.
my jeep has side roof rails but no cross bars on the roof. can i use this technique except with the straps attached to the roof rails instead of looped around inside the car? anyone have experience doing this? thanks
9:35. can you explain the wheel at this bookmark? where did you get it? how is it installed?
This kayak (Native Falcon 11) comes with the wheel integrated into the stern of the kayak, to allow you to pull it to the water. You can easily add something like this to any kayak though. The best option is to get a kayak cart. Check out suspenz.com
I load my sea kayak on the roof of my little school bus. I get er done by myself. 💪👍🤙
'my little school bus'... I like the sounds of that! :)
im lost shouldnt the kayak be upside down and on the roof?
When rooftoping, I have rails, but no crossbars. Can I run the straps through the rails instead of through the vehicle?
Does it matter if the kayak is upside-down or not?
Good question.... It depends on how sturdy the rails are. The owners manual will probably tell you the max load for those rails. You can put the kayak either way. Upright can take advantage of the deck features of a kayak, which will help stop the kayak from shooting forward off the vehicle - like the cockpit coaming. On the other hand, if it rains while you have a sit-inside kayak upright, you'll be collecting water/weight in the kayak, which isn't good if it's significant rain.
@@PaddleTV was thinking that it might be more aerodynamic for the the kayak to be upside down. Wind going over the contors of the hull instead of pushing the bow/stern up.
Would you still use a bow/stern line with those dedicated 'J' racks?
It's definitely the safe thing to do. That being said, if I'm not going very far, I usually don't bother with it if the straps are 'locking' it into place. What I mean by that, is that if the straps go around the kayak in a narrower spot, then theoretically, the kayak won't be able to shoot off the racks, because the thicker part of the kayak can't get past the straps. Make sense? For example, if your kayak has a cockpit coaming (that a skirt fits over), if the front strap is in front of the cockpit coaming, the kayak can't shoot forwards, because the strap will catch the cockpit coaming.
@@PaddleTV thanks for the tip!
What about ratchet straps cause that's all I have. I never liked cam straps.
Ratchet straps work too. Just be careful you don't crank your boat down too hard.
Man those types of straps I can never keep tight I gotta use ratchet straps to trust it
What about veriyak, hitch mounted carriers?
Looks like a great solution for trailers, RVs or other tall vehicles, but I personally wouldn't be comfortable carrying kayaks vertically on a normal size car, SUV, or truck. It seems to me that it would act like a sail and make your vehicle dangerously top heavy. Have you tried it?
I need to find the "magic" part. Tying down isn't all that hard. Getting a kayak 6' 6" onto my Suburban roof tends to be the bigger challenge.
Oddly enough, sliding a 16 or 18 ft boat over the rear with a bath mat is easier than getting my shorter whitewater boat up there.
I also use ropes for the bow and stern instead of strap. That tends to avoid the strap buzz issue.
It's true... the 'magic' part is the toughest part, isn't it? That's why I love my pickup and trailer now. When I was on the road competing (20-25 years ago), I had a pickup with a camper on the back. I had a rack system welded to the roof of the camper. The result was a rack that was about 10 feet above ground level. Getting the kayaks up there was always interesting!
@@PaddleTV The "magic" gets tougher when you convert your garage into a woodshop and store your kayaks in a backyard shed 100 ft away from your vehicle.
I saw a kayak in median it stayed there for 3 days. It was in a busy section on interstate people run you over in a heartbeat. I wanted to get it bad. I would not trust not getting hit. I wanted it bad but not die for. I think maybe road crew got it.
how did you get the kayak on the roof ?
Magic! Ok... truth is that it's a real pain doing it solo, and you risk knocking your sideview mirror of your vehicle (I've done it - twice). Best bet is to get someone to help - one person at each end.
@@PaddleTV did you ever come across an attachment with rollers, to push kayak easily from the back ? if yes can you suggest one. I also have a flycraft which might need full length system.
I have a flatbed truck and I use ratchet straps instead of cam straps but will say I was a slow learner with the ratchet straps! LOL I'm talking the smaller-sized ratchet straps, not the big yellow trucker straps. But I feel ratchet straps are a much safer choice.
Ratchet straps can be used but you have to be cautious. 1) They can easily be overtightened and warp the haul of the boat. Be gentle and check the tension of the straps almost at each click when there is no more slack in the strap. 2) The chunky ratchet mechanism can hit the boat and damage it way more than a simple cam. Just place it some place where is does not touch the kayak or tie something soft like a cloth or a piece of foam between the ratchet and the boat.
I shoved my 10ft fishing kayak into the inside of my 2 door jeep wrangler 😂
Why are you acting like something will happen to the sunroof lol
Truck and or trailer, problem solved. To the people that load them with the tailgate up you're gonna oil can the bottom.
Kayak rack for rogue
After watching this video and checking how "easy" it is to transport a kayak, I decided to change my kayak for some skates on pavement...
What are your thoughts on stuffing a 10’ kayak into a hatchback and tying down over the part that sticks out?
You can easily damage your hatch by driving with it open, even if it is strapped or tied down. The hinges and hatch are designed to be driven only when closed. Also it is possible on long trips to get exhaust in the car through the open hatch.
I forgot to add that I know many people that fold the passenger seat forward and rest the boat on the dash in order to be able to close the hatch. At the first hard stop the boat always slides forward and cracks the windshield. Some people learn that the hard way.
No I definitely don't like the idea to put kayak into pickup this way. My kayak is 18+ft long . The best way, for me, is to put it on roof rack/ And even in this case I don't feel comfortable with 1.2+m (4 ft) tail hanging behind my car I might be hit to.
14:40 - this is the best way to put kayak on pickup! 2-3 kayak are fits nice, I think! I like this system!
I thought waterfront storage came with a kayak purchase. You just call them & they get your boat ready & even pack your cooler so it’s ready when you hit the water.
That would be awesome, but sadly not. (Also I'm really unsure wether or not you're serious)
did I said trailer?
Did you just say that you’re anchoring under your hood? That seems highly unsafe lol
Don't forget you can trailer a kayak
I see people moving their kayak with bicycle, car is not always the best option, they're most of the time the worst option
Never found a problem I couldn’t solve with more ratchet straps…
geez...the most important part wasn't shown...how he got it on the roof of car.