Thank you for simplifying the options! As a solo kayaker with an almost 80 pound kayak I was able to figure out which will work best for me and my vehicle. Thank you!
Best kayak loading systems, by far, that I know of are the Thule Hullivator (for max two kayaks), Zoelzer Hublift and the Kari Tek roofrack. They are indeed expensive, but they save you time, pain and inconvenience! Great advantage over all other sytems is that you can tie your boats to the racks, while standing next to your car. No climbing and no reaching! All other systems might be cheaper (don't know about the crappy system from Epic, though), but but absolutely more time consuming aso...
Thanks for all these options. I just got a kayak of my own and am struggling a bit to figure out what works for me. I drive a VW Golf and have a nearly 50-lb boat. I bought a foam roller that suctions onto rear hatch window which is a great assist. My biggest issue is protecting the bottom back of the boat on asphalt or cement. I was actually searching UA-cam to see if there is such a thing, and there ARE adhesive keel protectors, but I don't want anything as permanent as that...just for loading and unloading purposes. I've laid things on the ground for protection but haven't quite figured out placement. I suppose that will come with time. I might try wrapping a towel or blanket around the stern (or is the back the bow?) and secure with a strap. Might work.
Works best of you are tall like the guy on the video and have a naked rack. No carriers. I jave malone sea wing and im short and its a terrible combination. Be aware of that.
when you let the yak upside down, would it damage the rudder? especially when you lift it to the side loader, the weight of the kayak will be on top of the rudder? Is it an ok thing to do? I want to do it up side down too but worry about the rudder :(. Thanks
Need help! We are pulling a fifth wheel pulling a fifthtrailer and would like to put Two kayaks on the roof of my F450 heavy duty but the kayaks need to be over the engine compartment and extended cab so my fifth wheel will hook up to the bed with no interference. Is there any roof system that could possibly help us achieve this any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
The F450 isn't available in Australia that we're aware of so we haven't had any experience with it. Sounds like you might need to get a custom job done. As far as factory ready systems, you'll need to talk to roof rack specialists that are familiar with that vehicle
I’ve seen Kayak racks that hold the kayaks vertically and are mounted to the back bumper of the RV. The only problem I see with those are reaching the top end to secure the boat once they are on the rack.
I have the 2016 ford escape with the factory rails but no cross bars yet. I am looking into getting something to help with loading unloading my Nucanoe Frontier 10 which is 38'' wide and about 65lbs and I am about 5ft 2'' tall. Was considering the Rhino Rack T-Loader but not to sure as I have heard if your not as tall as the roof of your vehicle it will still make things not as easy. The side padding bar you have there I don't think would work for me since I already have the factory rails on my vehicle and the vehicle your using does not have factory rails just those clamp on cross bars. Any thoughts on this...thanks
HI Scott, I have a 2015 Subaru Outback, as a petite female ease of loading my kayak (14' Pygmy Selkie)is particularly important, at least one rack must be very easy to load. If I'm carrying two, I assume there's someone else to pitch -in. Additionally I want to be able to travel long distances safely with as little wind resistance, rain saturation, and noise as possible. What do you recommend to address all 3 of these challenges. I appreciate your opinion.
Hi Pat. I Googled your kayak to see it's shape. It looks like you need to carry it upright in some kayak cradles. Your built in Subaru roof racks will carry it easy. Look at Thule, their cradles mold into nice shapes against most kayak hulls. To load, I would slide the kayak up and across the roof at a right angle to the car then spin it 90 degrees into the cradles. Lay something soft over the side rails of your car roof to protect from scratching. Put twists into your tie down straps to avoid humming in the wind.
Anyone short of cash can simply use extending tent pole across rack...simply use duck tape to hold onto rack...extend pole tighten screw , lift one end of kayak.,,,Its that simple and only cost a dollar or two for tent pole...
Great Now try loading your 18' sea kayak into a 20 mph late afternoon onshore breeze and with your bottom is covered in coarse coral sand I think that the best solution is a version of what roll-off containers use The separate rack is mounted to your existing roof rack,it slides down to the ground,load and secure your kayak and then winch the rack back to the roof
How about demonstrating the loading of a 60 lbs kayak onto a Nissan Pathfinder. The T-Loader is easy if you're loading onto a low car. Not so much went loading on a top that is 6 ft high.
Hi Laura. There are so many possible combinations out there. That was our point of the video. Our shot of the Ford Territory with fixed, padded side bars and a Pro Angler would simulate the same height of your Pathfinder but we did it with heavier boat. Where possible I would use that combo over a T Bar. The Ranger with roof top winch is higher again. Cheers
Thats exceeding the carrying capacity by a fair margin, so we wouldn;t recommend trying that. Can't recall any of our customers doing it. We haven't sold many of the Hullavators over the years
Only risky if you use a suction cup that is not up to the job. We have seen weaker ones fail. The ones we use have been stellar for nearly 10 years now.
![How to Transport a Kayak: Solo Loading and Unloading [NO LOAD ASSIST]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/K90yRHQZFoM/mqdefault.jpg)
![How to Transport a Kayak: Solo Loading and Unloading [NO LOAD ASSIST]](/img/tr.png)
Thank you for simplifying the options! As a solo kayaker with an almost 80 pound kayak I was able to figure out which will work best for me and my vehicle. Thank you!
best video on loading kayak, thank you
Best video on the subject I've seen. Thanks for this.
Best video I see , I have a lot off choice TY.
Wow, thanks for taking the time to make and post this very informative video.
Thanks for this video, really helped me!
Best kayak loading systems, by far, that I know of are the Thule Hullivator (for max two kayaks), Zoelzer Hublift and the Kari Tek roofrack. They are indeed expensive, but they save you time, pain and inconvenience! Great advantage over all other sytems is that you can tie your boats to the racks, while standing next to your car. No climbing and no reaching! All other systems might be cheaper (don't know about the crappy system from Epic, though), but but absolutely more time consuming aso...
What an amazingling informative video!
Came here for the kayak mount. Left with creating a NIN playlist.
Thanks for all these options. I just got a kayak of my own and am struggling a bit to figure out what works for me. I drive a VW Golf and have a nearly 50-lb boat. I bought a foam roller that suctions onto rear hatch window which is a great assist. My biggest issue is protecting the bottom back of the boat on asphalt or cement. I was actually searching UA-cam to see if there is such a thing, and there ARE adhesive keel protectors, but I don't want anything as permanent as that...just for loading and unloading purposes. I've laid things on the ground for protection but haven't quite figured out placement. I suppose that will come with time. I might try wrapping a towel or blanket around the stern (or is the back the bow?) and secure with a strap. Might work.
great informative video! Just what I needed to help me choose. thanks!
Works best of you are tall like the guy on the video and have a naked rack. No carriers. I jave malone sea wing and im short and its a terrible combination. Be aware of that.
nice video, I got a hobie outback but struggle getting Kayak up and down without another help
What do you suggest for loading a Feel Free Lure up on a SUV (2018 Dodge Journey)?
when you let the yak upside down, would it damage the rudder? especially when you lift it to the side loader, the weight of the kayak will be on top of the rudder? Is it an ok thing to do? I want to do it up side down too but worry about the rudder :(. Thanks
I just recently purchased a passport! Going on a VW wagon just wondering how far to put the crossbars apart???
It's not critical. Around 1 to 1.2 metres would be fine.
Need help! We are pulling a fifth wheel pulling a fifthtrailer and would like to put Two kayaks on the roof of my F450 heavy duty but the kayaks need to be over the engine compartment and extended cab so my fifth wheel will hook up to the bed with no interference. Is there any roof system that could possibly help us achieve this any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
The F450 isn't available in Australia that we're aware of so we haven't had any experience with it. Sounds like you might need to get a custom job done. As far as factory ready systems, you'll need to talk to roof rack specialists that are familiar with that vehicle
I’ve seen Kayak racks that hold the kayaks vertically and are mounted to the back bumper of the RV. The only problem I see with those are reaching the top end to secure the boat once they are on the rack.
Nice job!
I have the 2016 ford escape with the factory rails but no cross bars yet. I am looking into getting something to help with loading unloading my Nucanoe Frontier 10 which is 38'' wide and about 65lbs and I am about 5ft 2'' tall. Was considering the Rhino Rack T-Loader but not to sure as I have heard if your not as tall as the roof of your vehicle it will still make things not as easy. The side padding bar you have there I don't think would work for me since I already have the factory rails on my vehicle and the vehicle your using does not have factory rails just those clamp on cross bars. Any thoughts on this...thanks
how do you attach bow and stern lines on a 2018 subaru crosstrek where there are no metal bars to hook on to.
The Thule Quick loop will get it done. slhobie.com.au/gear/roof-racks/412-thule-quick-loop Yakima Brand have a similar thing too.
will the rhino side loading bar or slh suction load bar work with a 12' 60lb sportspal canoe?
+Michael Paul . Don't see why not. Your length and weight is around the same as some of our hulls.
HI Scott, I have a 2015 Subaru Outback, as a petite female ease of loading my kayak (14' Pygmy Selkie)is particularly important, at least one rack must be very easy to load. If I'm carrying two, I assume there's someone else to pitch -in. Additionally I want to be able to travel long distances safely with as little wind resistance, rain saturation, and noise as possible. What do you recommend to address all 3 of these challenges. I appreciate your opinion.
Hi Pat. I Googled your kayak to see it's shape. It looks like you need to carry it upright in some kayak cradles. Your built in Subaru roof racks will carry it easy. Look at Thule, their cradles mold into nice shapes against most kayak hulls. To load, I would slide the kayak up and across the roof at a right angle to the car then spin it 90 degrees into the cradles. Lay something soft over the side rails of your car roof to protect from scratching. Put twists into your tie down straps to avoid humming in the wind.
What do u recommend for a ford transit connect?
Depends on the kayak you are trying to load. I would choose the roof rail option for the van. Consider rear loading first with an added roller.
Anyone short of cash can simply use extending tent pole across rack...simply use duck tape to hold onto rack...extend pole tighten screw , lift one end of kayak.,,,Its that simple and only cost a dollar or two for tent pole...
Charlie Curtis i was using pool noodles. Also a dollar.
Great
Now try loading your 18' sea kayak into a 20 mph late afternoon onshore breeze and with your bottom is covered in coarse coral sand
I think that the best solution is a version of what roll-off containers use
The separate rack is mounted to your existing roof rack,it slides down to the ground,load and secure your kayak and then winch the rack back to the roof
Thanks for the tips!
How about demonstrating the loading of a 60 lbs kayak onto a Nissan Pathfinder. The T-Loader is easy if you're loading onto a low car. Not so much went loading on a top that is 6 ft high.
Hi Laura. There are so many possible combinations out there. That was our point of the video. Our shot of the Ford Territory with fixed, padded side bars and a Pro Angler would simulate the same height of your Pathfinder but we did it with heavier boat. Where possible I would use that combo over a T Bar. The Ranger with roof top winch is higher again. Cheers
missed the "strap between two bars" side loading method, one of the easiest and simplest ways.
That's a good idea too.
I got question can I fit 2 Hobie revo 16 side by side on 60 inch length cross bar roof rack system??
Has anyone used the Hullavator on a Hobie Adventure Island. Hobie weighs 102 lbs and the Hullavator is rated for 75lbs...
Thats exceeding the carrying capacity by a fair margin, so we wouldn;t recommend trying that. Can't recall any of our customers doing it. We haven't sold many of the Hullavators over the years
pickup and T bone
Suction cup kinda seems like a risky way to go if you ask me..
Only risky if you use a suction cup that is not up to the job. We have seen weaker ones fail. The ones we use have been stellar for nearly 10 years now.
Suction cups + pvc pipe works great for us. We remove it when driving
@@nordic5490 can you elaborate a little more? Is this for loading? Im trying to find a cheap way.
Strapping down is a tedious process which was ignored in the video
With practice strapping accross, two front tie downs, amd the panic brake strap from the fron to the tow ball takes abuot 5mins.
Easy when you're 6 ft 3 picking up a 20 pound kayak
er... the guy shown doing most of the cartopping in this clip (Josh) is 5'8" and is a slim-hipped nancy-boy, weighing in roughly at 65kg. *shrug*
@@paddlefishsail
Savage. Josh takes the brunt again, as usual.
@@PhillipMelanchthon Hehe.. it was actually Josh who wrote that reply :-)
All you have to do is make a video showing how you use toilet paper