Hi We have just purchased a kayak approx. 3m and wondering if everyone uses kayak holders or is it ok to tie directly onto roof racks? Being a hobbit it is high enough to get it onto the bars let alone having to get it over a greater height. Also with what have you found the best to tie them down. Kim
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.
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 .
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
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Iza
Semi-permanent state of being Recreationally Outraged as a defence against boredom during lockdown.
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.
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.