ADELAIDE 08 7009 4818 BRISBANE ... PFDs KAYAK TROLLEYS STORAGE SPARES KAYAKING ESSENTIALS ELECTRIC TROLLING MOTORS KAYAK LOADING TRANSPORT … This can be very damaging to your kayak if done repeatedly. Contact us at 866-587-2990, For Hobie sales or questions call 562-592-0800. Since bikes, snowboards, skis, luggage carriers, surfboards and the like are beyond the scope of this article, well focus on the kayak specific products that will allow for easier loading, better positioning and multiple kayaks. The most basic is the crossbars themselves. As such youll find that many of these saddle carriers are designed to conform around a rounded hull that is commonplace with sit insides, but very uncommon with sit on tops. The most common system, and the one that fits most modern cars on the road involves three components. The Podium foot pack is designed specifically to mount into one of those areas if you have a newer vehicle with that feature. Our fishing kayak covers come with heavy duty shock cord sewn throughout their hem, and can be used for trailering. Access Hatch Cover, Slayer 12, 13, 14.5 $ 39.99 Add to cart; Aluminum Rail Set 15″ $ 34.99 Add to cart; Anchor Trolley System $ 39 Add to cart; Crank Seal Replacement Kit $ 25 Add to cart; Easy Cruz Propeller Replacement $ 29 Read more; Grey Cotton Twill Hat $ 19.99 Read more; Groove Adapter Slugs Kit $ 9 Add to cart; Hatch Cover … These covers come with loops sewn throughout their hem one every 2-3’ feet, and tie down straps are included, so you can tie the cover down for towing purposes. Position the kayak so that the mid-point is halfway between your crossbars. Seamander. Thule also fits a slightly wider range of vehicles than Yakima, and as youll learn in the Add-Ons section they have the edge there as well. All of the Thule products listed as examples here will also clamp onto round bars and flat factory bars, and in most cases can be adapted to thicker crossbars by using longer screws. Smaller kayaks like a mini-x can sometimes be transported in the bed of a truck with the tailgate up, but be sure to butt the end of the kayak against the forward side of the truck bed and rest the other end of the kayak on top of the closed tailgate. These covers are made with convenient handles at each end, so you can carry and transport the covered kayak … Unless you drive a military HUM-V, chances are your vehicle isnt wide enough to fit two fishing kayaks side by side on the cross bars. Next, pick up the other end off the ground and slide the kayak forward onto the rack. The easiest method of transportation is simply throwing the kayak in the back of a pickup truck and securing it with a couple tie downs. You may find that the polyethylene of the kayak can easily slide on the composite material of your factory crossbars, or the metal on aftermarket systems making it difficult to tighten securely. If your SUV has the factory luggage rack already installed with the cross bars, this is usually adequate to transport a kayak. The Best Deluxe Kayak Storage Cover [Danuu] Durability. While kayak fishing and the plastic sit on tops that it requires have gained in popularity, many kayak racks and accessories in general are still aimed toward the more traditional sit inside kayaks. The fit kit is a simple, small metal bracket that mounts to the underside of each foot pack with the proper dimensions and angles to clamp onto the door jam of a particular vehicle. Kayak Polyweave Storage or Transport Cover - Short (under 4.3m) $90.00. This is not advisable because the wind really catches the kayak in this position and if even the slightest thing goes wrong with a tie down or a rope it could cause a disastrous accident. Its easiest to load and unload the kayak, its one of the safest ways to secure a kayak to a vehicle, and its very economical in comparison with a roof rack system. There are a variety of foot packs designed for different mounting options from SUV side rails to rain gutters to camper shells, and everything in between. For whitewater kayaks, kayak racks or rooftop kayak carriers are also the best way to transport them; depending on the rack system, your boat may have the cockpit facing up, down or even on its side. The crossbars are a larger, thicker, more rounded version in silver metal instead of black. Factory crossbars can sometimes be purchased through a dealerships service department, but the cost may be comparable to an aftermarket system and you get the added benefit of all the compatible add-ons that aftermarket systems offer, along with the less flexible metal bars compared to the plastic factory racks. While its possible to transport any kayak on just about any vehicle, some rack systems will prove to be better options than others, and there is the rare occasion where a rack of any type is not possible on a particular vehicle. The most common way weve seen people damage their kayaks is by using this type of strap and over-tightening, causing the kayak to collapse on itself and crack the plastic, normally around a scupper hole which will not collapse because of its load bearing cylindrical shape. Avoid the ratchet style straps like you would use for a motorcycle or heavy cargo. Handles are strategically positioned for easy installation and carrying. Even the thickest kayaks like an X-Factor or Stealth 14 will fit in this cradle and it allows you to put two kayaks on your rack with room to spare on even the narrowest cars. Not to mention the extra height it adds to your vehicle, drastically limiting the selection of drive-thru restaurants available and other similarly catastrophic inconveniences. They are very similar systems with the most noticeable difference being the round bars from Yakima and the square bars of Thule. If you are sick and tired of cleaning your cockpit over and over again, … $17.79 $ 17. Most SUVs on the road have some sort of luggage rack on the roof, or at the very least include the side rails as standard equipment. 79. Run a strap through the doors and cinch tight. The wind force will then push the kayak into the bed instead of out of it. The rest of the kayak will compress around it and the scupper hole will eventually bust through the surrounding plastic. Elite Canoe Covers and Kayak Covers. Ski Snow Bike SUP Tool Kayak Surf Skate Fish Wake Canoe ... Sign In Customer Support. By following some of the suggestions outlined here, we hope to put to rest many of those questions and concerns about transporting a kayak. The easiest method of transportation is simply throwing the kayak in the back of a pickup truck and securing it with a couple tie downs. Some newer SUVs and vans have recessed areas in the roof, specifically for the addition of a luggage rack without the visual impact of the more common side rails you see on most SUVs. Some vehicles also have a pair of tracks that run the length of the roof. Its just an extendable, load bearing bar that mounts inside of your crossbar. A 15 foot fishing kayak loaded with accessories and batteries can be difficult to get on top of a full size SUV, especially if it has any sort of lift or large tires, but if you follow these steps you wont need a second person to get even the heaviest kayak on top of the tallest vehicle. The Thule Slipstream is basically an entire rack that slides backwards to help with the same issue of rubbing against the trunk or rear of the vehicle. Our cover can protects against damaging built-up, sun and rain damage,Protect your boat on the beach or in the backyard.This kayak cover is made of sun ray reflecting and waterproof polyester material,which offers excellent weather protection for your kayaks… When you initially put the first end of the kayak on the cross bar, you will inevitably drag the other end of the kayak a foot or two to get the kayak in place. Set the buckle on the roof of the vehicle near the crossbar and walk around to the other side of the vehicle. The 5 Best Kayak Covers - [2020 Reviews] | Outside Pursuits It is full-cut to allow extra room for accessories such as paddles, life vests, etc. And yes, it has happened to customers of ours, but never to those who secure their kayaks properly. This contraption unfolds from the roof rack, halfway down the side of the vehicle where the kayak is loaded into saddles only a few feet from the ground. Before diving too far into this section, be sure that whichever system is right for your vehicle is installed correctly and always double check the rack system itself in addition to the kayak before pulling out of your driveway. Read more about those systems in the Add-On section. Choose … Transporting your kayak is an important thing to consider before purchasing your boat, and maybe even your vehicle! Saving a couple bucks on a rack or a tie down strap is not worth your kayak flying into traffic on the freeway. For aftermarket bars such as Thule or Yakima, use the regular Rack Pads. Available in 5 sizes, it is uniquely shaped to allow larger … Adding rack pads will not only help to grip the kayak, but the padding will protect the kayak and also allow for a tighter cinch. This is a huge advantage, especially on windy days or if the vehicle is parked on uneven ground. A cockpit cover will keep rain water, dirt, critters and bugs out of your sit-in kayak during storage and transport. Kayak Polyweave Storage or Transport Cover (under 6.1m) $110.00. Get it as soon as Tue, Dec 8. Lumber racks are a good option, but there can sometimes be a problem because the forward most cross bar usually comes almost to the windshield while the rear bar is toward the tailgate, with a third somewhere around the back of the cab which creates a very long span between the front and rear, especially if your kayak is under 13 feet. There are a number of add-ons that make this process much easier and safer for both the kayak and the vehicles paint job, so please read this basic technique for loading the kayak and then continue to the add-ons section where youll learn about the benefits of some of those items. The most intensive load assist product on the market is the Hullavator. Vehicles with overly rounded roofs can sometimes be difficult for this system because spacing the tubes far enough apart would cause the kayak to contact and damage the roof in between them. The bottom side of the hull can easily be indented permanently by the crossbars once the kayak is cinched down, and also, the rounded hull or keel will make the kayak want to tip to one side or the other on the straight crossbars. Recently companies such as Thule have been introducing a more visually aesthetic type of roof rack, such as the Thule Rapid Aero system. Now you can simply lift and pivot the other end on the ground instead of dragging. Ultra-lightweight. If not, youd want to put the kayak on upside down since it is resting on straight crossbars (check the Securing Your Kayak section for more on that) and what ends up happening is the kayak will contact the front and rear bar without touching the middle bar. First, place the kayak upside down on the crossbars with rack pads in place if you choose to use them. The best type to use is a simple Hand-Tighten Tie Down   with a  metal cam buckle. Putting the boat upside down eliminates both problems when the kayak is placed directly on the crossbars. All Carver kayak and canoe covers are made with the same quality components and attention to detail as all of our boat covers, bimini tops and specialty canvas. Check Price on Amazon The Seals Cockpit Drape isn’t your conventional type of kayak … Read the next section, or take your vehicle to your local dealer, rack specialist, or kayak shop to see your options. Always secure the bow and stern to the bumpers when using this type of rack because there tends to be a lot of flex without them. $0.00 - $50.00 $50.00 - $92.00 $92.00 - $134.00 $134.00 - $176.00 $176.00 - $218.00 Sort By: Quick view Compare Add to Cart The item has … Specially treated for long term Sun & UV protection that will stop fading and cracking which occurs from extended exposure to the outdoors. Of course dont go too short because it wont cover the span of your roof. To attach it to the vehicle, open all the doors and set one tube on the roof toward the windshield and one toward the rear window. This high-quality kayak cover will extend the life of your sit-on-top kayak by protecting it from the elements while in storage or during transit. These covers are available for fishing kayaks in lengths from 10 to 14 feet, and they are available in two marine grade high strength materials which will provide full protection from the elements. To add aftermarket crossbars onto the existing side rails of your SUV or mini-van, you would use a mount such as the Thule Crossroad. Take a cam strap and position the buckle so it is resting on the side of the … There are products on the market such as the Extend-A-Truck which will slide into your hitch receiver and act as an extra support out the back of the truck. Side handles are a good reference for this, as theyre normally mounted at the mid-point of the kayak. Paddleshop & Boathouse Demos Rentals Lessons Directions Contact Us. Loop the tag end under the cross bar (same as before) and insert it into the buckle. Always double-check your roof rack. It allows you to telescope  your crossbar out off the side of the vehicle a good 18 or two feet so that instead of sliding the kayak onto the rack from behind, where you may rub the kayak against the trunk or back end of an SUV, you can put one end on the outrigger and  then lift the other end onto the other crossbar without ever touching the vehicle. Simply leave the tailgate down and allow the kayak to stick out the back of the truck… Other load assisting add-ons have just recently come on the market to help load the kayak by yourself. This is a very versatile mount because with the addition of an artificial rain gutter it can be used on any flat surface such as a fiberglass camper shell, enclosed trailer, or RV where other systems will not work. Our recreational and touring kayak covers come with zippered access, so you can simply unzip the cover and slide your kayak inside, offering it full protection from the elements. Lake George Kayak … Its not a bad idea to have your local dealership give it a good once over before loading a 70 pound fishing kayak and driving 60 miles. Loop the tag end of the strap under the crossbar as close to the kayak as possible and throw the tag end back over the kayak. These covers are made with convenient handles at each end, so you can carry and transport the covered kayak with ease. There is a type of mount that will clamp directly onto that lip called the Gutter Foot Pack. FREE Shipping on orders … If you loop it through the side rails, or some sort of attachment point where the crossbar meets the side rail, it will create too much of an angle in the strap which could allow the kayak to slide under the straps. All add-ons will still work on these bars, but longer bolts are usually required. Throughout this article we'll link to various products that we've found useful and refer to sections within the article for relevant information. Simply leave the tailgate down and allow the kayak to stick out the back of the truck, with a red flag on the end. If weve forgotten anything here or if you have any sort of suggestions, questions, or hate mail, please contact us. If you elect to transport your kayak upside down, now is the time to flip it over. If you have a wider vehicle like a full sized SUV or truck with a camper shell or Xsporter, its possible to do a third kayak straight down the middle of two cradles if its held completely vertical using The Stacker. You can place your kayak directly onto the crossbars upside down and secure with hand-tightened tie down straps. The super-duty 600D polyester is highly water resistant and will protect your boat … Weve seen some people leave the tailgate up and butt one end of the kayak against the tailgate with the kayak extending forward at an angle over the cab of the truck. If you have a pickup truck with a hitch receiver, we recommend using this product to transport your kayak. Plus theyre the cheapest straps around. The soft rack does have some drawbacks compared to mounted crossbars. If your trucks tie down loops are mid-way or at the top of the bed walls youll have to either install aftermarket loops lower on the walls, or find a way to properly secure it around the bumper, or other part of the bed. A very functional and economic option is the Outrigger II. Take extra care with plastic boats to avoid denting them and make sure to cover … This low clearance also will not allow for any sort of roof-mounted antennae that cannot fold completely flat or be removed completely. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. 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