QUESTION FOR THOSE CARRYING KAYAKS

gandk · Senior Member

QUESTION FOR THOSE CARRYING KAYAKS

KevinC · Senior Member

We have a tandem sit on top kayak. It's quite heavy and bulky. We use holders on the roof racks and load it over the back of the Jeep using a kayak loader. That in itself is a cumbersome piece of kit but without it the kayak stays home. I believe the latest model loaders are less bulky, but it still needs to be carried in the vehicle.
We tie down using ratchet straps, small ones like you can get from the big green shed. Just don't crank them down too tight.

Footprints · Senior Member

I carry upside down on standard type roof rack which has carpet wrapped around and secured with ratchet straps Cheers.

JackoFJR · Senior Member

We have a Hobie Odyssay it's heavy , load it with a T Bar loader right way up then flip it upside down on to the std alloy lader rack with some carpet rapped, makes life easy but you can't use it with a trailer attached .

Cam Lock straps ( think that's what they are called ) are much better than Ratchet straps to tie it down , cant really over tighten them we did almost 20K last year quite a few dirt roads Kayak never mover .

The T-Loader I replaced the bolts that hold it together with quick removable pins goes to together / come apart in a in seconds makes it much easier to carry .

Izabarack · Guru

SIK or SOT? I have both. The Sit In can be used as a pod if right way up in cradles and with a water proof cover. Only light stuff in the kayak, of course. Have regularly transported both types upside down on roof bars padded with tube type pool noodles split down the middle.

I only use ratchet tie downs for the positive locking that comes with the method. I have had and seen several of the cam lock type fasteners come loose, in use. Be a little careful tying things down to the point that you distort the hull shape. Left for a long time in the sun, the distortion can become almost permanent.

I typically have a 200 Kg cord from the front of the kayak down to the bull bar or front bumper. Not so much to tie the kayak down but to see if anything is shifting up there.

Last minute hint - I made up an extension to one of the roof bars so that the extension sits outside the side line of the car by about 900mm. The extension slips on and off for use when loading the kayak. Reasonably easy to get one end up and rested on the extension, then lift the other end onto the rack before going back to the first end and positioning correctly. Think about using a damp towel on the paint work for protection should the kayak look to rub in the paint work of the roof while you are going back and forth. Take off the extension before tying things down.

Iza

-- Edited by Izabarack on Friday 24th of March 2017 02:53:37 PM

mezza56 · Senior Member

Hi Gandk

We use the locking straps only because they have steel cable in them .

You can only deter an honest thief , so nothings fool proof .

If you get the longer locking straps you can always tie them off same as a rope so if lock fails it wont go anywhere anyway .

Which raises a point has anyone tested if a stolen kayak is covered under insurance if its locked on the vehicle

Goods inside are covered under most insurance policies if the vehicle is locked .

gandk · Senior Member

Thank you all so much. With only a few replying I am so pleased to have gained so much. Thanks again.

Kim & Gary

Cupie · Guru

My SOT kayaks slide up over the bull bar onto Nissan gutter screwed roof racks. After destroying many pool noodles used for padding, I got some special roof rack covers from Clark rubber. They are great.

I use a couple of old blankets to protect t he duco when sliding the Kayaks on & off. But my Patrolis 20yo so I don't worry too much about it.

For a new vehicle I would look closely at Rack and Roll kayak loaders.

http://www.rackandroll.net.au/index.php/en/

I too use cam lock straps for each yak & for extra security an extra long one that goes right over the both and through the car windows, just in case the roofracks fail. I also tie them back & front with rope.

SOTs should always be transported upside down. At least that's what my manufacturer advises.

BTW... I call SIKs (Sit in Kayaks) SinKs. I would love to have a good light weight touring SinK with eskimo paddles, but my long neglected/abused 76YO body is past that sort of thing. SWMBO wanted to buy me a $4k glass composite one for my 70th birthday but I foolishly declined, accepting a $1k Viking Javelin SOT instead. It's great but not in the same class.

Fringe Dweller · Senior Member

Have carted kayaks on rr's & on trailer frame for yrs . Having had son who was into the sport.

All I have ever used is "cam buckles" . I use 'hooked' straps Each end for Safety straps . ON Every boat.

With our 14'/6" Old Town canoe . Same only 2 cam buckles & safety strap each end.

With my 10' sit in Bass & Herself's Viking Sit on top . Not a problem on roof racks , even with van.

Just gotta watch opening rear hatch.

Will post some pics of how I do mine.

gandk · Senior Member

Thank you again for the extra helpful replies. It definitely makes it easier when others are willing to help with ideas and solutions.

Ta Kim