Hi..

To get appropriate advice you may need to provide additional information on the kayak type.

eg.  

Sit on Tops are carried upside down and directly on padded roof racks.  Though I believe that you can carry them on their edge in special cradles if you want to be different.

( It won't help you but mine sit on very old gutter clipped Genuine Nissan roof racks, modified with a longer bar & special foam padding from Clark Rubber, to accommodate two kayaks plus paddles. For short trips in my town car, a Mazda3, I use some soft roof racks that were thrown in with one of the kayaks that I got 2nd hand.  I'd worry about them rubbing off the paint if used for long trips.)

Sit Ins are carried right way up but in supporting saddles/cradles attached to the roof racks.  I don't have one but if I did I would look at fitting a skirt or whatever to stop it filling with water in case of rain. 

Whatever you choose make sure that you use front & rear ropes as well as straps around the racks.  In my case I use an additional extra long strap that goes right over the top of the kayaks & through the Patrol's doors. I actually go to the trouble of threading it down through the inside scupper hole on the first yak, under the roof bar, back up through the 2nd yak inside scupper hole and then over it & through the door.  If the roof racks let go then this extra strap will take over.  I only go to this trouble when touring, not if just transporting from camp to water.

Might be a bit over the top but I'd hate to see my yaks bouncing down the road or into a passing vehicle.

I have also found that if you use straps rather than rope tie downs, you will need to twist the straps to stop the annoying hum as they vibrate in the wind stream.

ps.  Avoid ratchet tie downs or you may warp or split your hull.  I use cam buckle straps.

-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 9th of March 2017 09:01:09 PM

Following on from Bushpie's comment.....and I may not be answering your question, but offering an alternative to consider....I use my roof rack for carrying my caravan annex and 6th wheel....so I purchased an inflatable double Kayak...only 16kgs in its own self contained smallish bag..a breeze to inflate and deflate...sits in the back of my dual cab with everything else.....recently at Greens Lake with youngest grandkid.....does all I want....and it holds/tows my school girl figure which is now 116Kgs, easily.....lol....

I always remember that couple that toured Australia for that popular caravan magazine. Marg?..saying, that the one thing they would not take on their next lap was both their roof mounted single kayaks..only used them once, and were a pain in the butt on top of their vehicle, wind wise etc...

Good luck...Hoo Roo

Thank you all who have answered. And what a great idea an inflatable one. Where did you buy it Goldfinger and do you know the weight of it please.

Kim

gandk wrote:

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Oooops. I just re-read your post. 16kg. Very good. But would still like to know where you purchased it and is it Qseav on the side?

Kim

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 Before you chose an inflatable you might like to do some research.

The site on the link below is to a highly respected USA Kayaking organisation.  It gives you access to a wealth of information on most aspects of Kayaking.  Take some time to explore the site.  Some fantastic stuff there.  They send me a free monthly newsletter full of great kayaking & canoeing tips & links.

Many if not all products reviewed can be obtained from Australian Kayak warehouses.

A word of warning ... Don't be tempted by a cheapie Kayak of any sort on special from the big sporting/fishing & camping  stores.  It is certainly a case of you get what you pay for.  You might just end up getting blown around the bay or wobbling about like a drunken sailor if you choose a cheap dud. Profile, weight & hull design are critical for anything more than just pottering about in the shallows with the kids.

ps.  I would consider Collapsable/Foldable ones too.  Arguably a better craft with the same advantage of space saving. Perhaps a bit dearer & marginally harder/slower to assemble.

https://paddling.com/reviews/category/kayaks/inflatable/

Edit ..  For my own interest, I followed up on a ramdomly chosen kayak listed at the foot of the selection table and got this.  Now this  highender is what Inflatables are all about.  I'd love one of these.

https://www.seaeagle.com/RazorLite/393rl

-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 10th of March 2017 09:29:42 AM