Ok, you performed your homework and got the proper kayak – now you have to make another decision. How is your day going to transport your new boat?

Some kayaks are large and cumbersome – particularly rigged fishing kayaks. You will need to put some thought into what is going to be the best transport means for you, your kayak, along with your vehicle. Various vehicles will make different situations to deal with. For instance, if you have a very high vehicle it may not be practical that you can load your kayak on the top – maybe a trailer may be the way to go, or a Hullavator. Perhaps you have a health problem or a personal injury that will prevent you from lifting the kayak. Or maybe you just have a tendency feel like lifting a 60+ lb kayak over the head. All of these issues can be resolved.

Let’s go over some of the various methods to transport your kayak(s).

Transport Methods

Rack Techniques

Most kayak transport demands can be satisfied by adding a after-market rack system. A new rack system includes typically the bars and feet (adapters) that attach the system for your particular vehicle. The pubs can be used alone or they are able to serve as the base for additional boat carriers and accessories. One of the most widely used systems are made by simply Thule and Yakima. These kind of racks offer the most bodyweight capacity and are the most secure way to transport kayaks for a vehicle.
Factory Racks

Numerous vehicles come with factory night clubs (usually the flat rectangular shaped ones) and these can function fine to transport your boat and can usually be when you have most kayak carriers, however they lack the carrying potential and long term strength of any good after-market rack program. So if you need to carry numerous kayaks or even one major single kayak, investing in a great rack system will be your smartest choice.
Foam Blocks

This method is actually kind of like the duct cassette approach to kayak transport. Using this system the foam blocks are put on the roof of the car along with the kayak is strapped decrease sandwiching the foam between the roofing and the kayak. The reason polyurethane foam blocks are so popular is they are a very economical transport method. However , care needs to be delivered to make sure the kayak will be secured properly to prevent virtually any problems and or damage to your own personal kayak and/or vehicle.

foamblock

Car with with space-age foam block carrier system

Trailers: This is fast becoming a popular option for individuals who are tired of raising or for the family that requires an easy way to haul often the fleet. Many trailers are very well made, perfect for kayaks, and perhaps can be close to cost of the aftermarket rack system. Most of us recommend Trailex Trailers.

Trailex makes a single kayak variation that is light enough in order to unhook and use as being a dolly to get right up for the water. For those who want to bring more than one kayak they also help make multi-kayak trailers.

Rack Add-ons

Rack Pads

Rack Patches were originally designed for surfboards but work well for kayaks. The pads wrap around your personal factory or after-market cafes and are held in place by means of Velcro straps. Rack patches are a very good choice in the event you transport you kayak encounter down (the seat location facing the roof), through carrying face down you might be placing the load on the gunwales (the strongest part of the kayak) and it is the way many boat companies recommend to carry the actual kayak to prevent distorting or perhaps damaging the hull.

Benefits: Like foam blocks, it’s rather a very economical set up, especially if you curently have bars on your vehicle. In contrast to foam blocks rack parts can’t fly off the vehicle.

Disadvantages: Pads usually don’t have lots of cushion and can dent a number of kayaks if transported together with the hull down or in case you over tighten the tie-down straps.

Cradles and Saddles: A very popular way to carry any kayak designed to carry the particular kayak right side way up (just like it is about the water). Some examples of these would be the Thule Set-To-Go and the Malone Seawing.

Pros: These have a tendency to keep kayak in place along with protect the hull coming from damage. These systems normally work well with other pieces of equipment which aid in getting your kayak on your own vehicle like rollers in addition to glide pads (we may discuss these later).

Downsides: These set-ups are designed to transfer your kayak right edge up, not the ideal way of avoiding distortion, but with care this can not be an issue. Also, if you want to transport 2 kayaks, cradles do limit the functional space on your rack discos.

J-Carriers: These work simply by carrying your kayak(s) on the side in J-shaped shelves.

Pros: J-carriers work well to safeguard the kayak hull via damage when tightening typically the straps. They will also maximize your rooftop space to allow for extra kayaks or other accessories.

Negative aspects: It can be tough to maneuver often the kayak on top of your vehicle as well as into the side position in the J-carrier, especially if your vehicle is usually tall. Also, be careful throughout parking garages as the additional height could be a problem. A few examples of J-carriers are: Thule Hullaport and the Malone Autoloader.

Vehicle types

Cars

Vehicles with short roofs could be a challenge – especially 2-door cars. The shorter the space between the straps/bars the much less secure the system will be. Usually, use bow and demanding lines when transporting by simply car or any vehicle along with a short roof span rapid a favorite of ours will be the Thule Quickdraw.

While memory foam blocks will work, we highly recommend putting a rack system with your car – this will produce life easier, protect the top of your car, and make you more room for additional accessories & gear. Many rack manufacturers make unique rack adapters for 2 entrance cars with shorter roofing. Both Thule and Yakima make good system with regard to cars.
SUV’s and Tiny Vans

The longer roof structure frame of an SUV or even a Mini Van does provide you with some advantages over vehicles, but sometime the added level of an SUV can make having your kayak on top a little more difficult. Most SUV’s come with manufacturer racks that work well to get most kayak carriers and also transport accessories. Factory holders systems do have weight limitations, but most can handle 1 or 2 method to light weight kayaks with out a problem.

A popular way to move two kayaks with a manufacturing plant system is to transport one in some sort of J-type carrier and the various other flat or face upon the bars. You can definitely maximize space by using a pair of J-Carriers.

Of course , adding a good rack system to a VEHICLE or Mini Van will give you the most room for add-ons and carrying capacity. Notice: It’s OK if the pubs extend out past the roof top. According to the law, they can extend because wide as your side-view decorative mirrors. On tall vehicles this kind of works well, on shorter types make sure you won’t be hitting your face on the ends of the night clubs when you enter or leave the vehicle.
Pickup Trucks

Nothing is less difficult than strapping a boat into the bed of a pick-up and hitting the road. In the event the kayak is hanging on the end of your tailgate you need to hang a flag onto it for safety. Another option that makes this method of transport more secure and more practical is a mattress extender. An extender is often a device that plugs in a standard 2- hitch install and will give you up to 4′ more of support under your own kayak. (An extender can even be reconfigured to support your boat over the bed, with 1 end resting on the taxi roof and the other for the extender in the vertical place. )

Helpers & Masse Assist Devices

No matter what technique you are using you will still have to be able to physically set the boat into or onto it. This might seem difficult and uncomfortable at first, but you will find that it may get easier with repeating and ultimately you will find what realy works best for you and your situation. Nevertheless a little help doesn’t harm. So here is a list of items that can help make bearing the a little easier.

Thule Hydro Glide: helps when launching your kayak from one conclusion of your vehicle and also works to hold the kayak throughout transport. The kayak slideshow easily on felt protected pads.

Thule Roller Coaster: a new roller attached to a set of saddles that allows you to push the boat up onto the roof from your rear of the vehicle.

Launching Bars: Thule as well others make a bar that stretches out so you can lift one particular end of the kayak within the bar and then lift another side onto your rack. Thule makes the Outrigger

Lift Support Accessories: Companies now create accessories to help you get your boat unto your roof. One such system is the Hullavator by Thule, this hydraulic assist tray folds down the side of the car where the kayak is packed at waist height and also the whole thing folds back again onto the roof with the aid of mechanised assistance – Nice! We have had many customers reveal that without this system they will wouldn’t have been able to carry on kayaking because of physical constraints brought on by age or injuries. Sure it’s expensive, nevertheless worth every penny.

Roller Loader: This kind of little device works to help you to get your kayak up on your automobile. It basically is a blue that suctions on to the back side of your vehicle and you just roll the actual kayak on or off of.

A very low-tech option functions particularly well with mini-vans, SUV’s and station chariots is a rubber backed bathmat. Just to place the mat (with rubber backing down instructions so it won’t slide) around the rear of the vehicle make one end of the boat on the mat and slip onto the rack. Listed here is a video clip of a kayak getting loaded using a bathroom pad.

Tips for Transport:

Always provide the kayak a good push along with pull before driving apart to make sure you are secure. Typically if you can rock the vehicle with no kayak shifting on their perch than you are fine. In case the kayak is sliding backwards and forwards on the bars or from the carriers than you need to go as well as tighten the straps.

In case using straps with auto lock buckles, always put the half hitch in the taping after tying down to make sure that even if the buckle loosens the strap will not arrive lose.

If using ratchet style tie downs it is extremely easy to over-tighten and do harm to the kayak. So ensure that the kayak is comfortable, but don’t go overboard.

If transporting in a flat your bed pickup don’t choose sites on the kayak to fasten to that particular can fail – such as the handles. We recommend moving the straps through the scupper holes of the kayak in addition to tying that off inside bed of the truck.

Vehicles roof areas can compress/dent in when using foam prevents, these dents usually appear back out. Always try to location foam blocks on the most powerful part of the roof (this would be the areas closer to the front as well as rear windows)

Also, if you discover that some part of your current kayak is making connection with the roof after you tighten that down then placing a bit of rug or padding we have a good idea to protect the car by scratching.

Racks and kayaks will decrease your vehicles MPG. If you are not using your racks regularly, it may be a good idea to remove them. High quality rack systems, such as these made by Thule and Yakima are often as easy to remove using the turn of a key. (Bars can also be kept in the vehicle so that they remain handy, but will not be affecting your mileage)

With the right gear and techniques, loading, carrying, and unloading your boat is very manageable.

Follow me!