I’m 70. I FULLY support getting a trailer. A used trailer can be modified. I don’t think anysenior would regret the purchase. My wife appreciates it because she was my helper
I haven't invested in a trailer yet. But I'm 70 too, and if I DID get a trailer, I could even go to the Hobie Pro Angler 14 -- bigger, more room, but really heavy! And my PA 12 is heavy enough!
These are brilliant tips. I am a senior woman and was worried about how I would load, transport and unload my kayak when I purchase it. You have completely relieved my mind. TYSM! I was about to buy an inflatable, which really wouldn't serve my purposes.
I remember being impressed the first time you aired these videos. Launching ramps are always good places to hang out if you want to laugh. At my street end I get to see some very ingenious ways to transport kayaks with cars as well as SUVs and trucks. It is nice having the larger roofs of SUVs, though. Most of our visitors have two or more kayaks and people to help with them. Watching them get in and out is a hoot, too.
This came t the exact perfect time. I am 78 and have a Topwater pdl 106. Putting it into my Ram1500 was darn near impossible for me. These tips especially the 2x4’s in the bed to level the kayak are going to keep me fishing longer. Thank you.
I 'm 85 and have a Tacoma pu with a short bed. I bought a couple of moving blankets from Harbor Freight for the truck bed. I may get a rubber backed small carpet for the tailgate. I haul 2 10 ft kayaks 30" wide. With the tail gate down, I Lift one end onto the tailgate. I pickup the other end and just slide them in. I do have to tip the kayaks up a little so they fit. I do that using the middle handles on the kayaks. To hold them in I use a strong strap through the front (bow) handles an u brackets attached to the truck bed corners. My kayaks weigh 49 lbs. each.
Nice video. At 64 I had similar challenges with my 17ft sea kayak and my SUV that has a fiberglass lip over the rear window preventing me from using your 'rug' method. So, I modified a bike rack that fits into my towing receiver (I see you had one as well). It fits into the receiver and is basically a 'Y'. The vertical piece is about 4 feet. Then, I lift the bow of the boat into the 'v' and hold a stern line to keep the boat from sliding off. Then, walk back to the stern and lift up (like you did with the rug'). It works well and allows me to load/unload by myself. I wish I had done this when I was younger anf not as wise.
Great idea about the paracord thru the scupper hole to load the yak on the truck 5:19. Since it's supporting only a partial weight of the kayak, there's little chance of damaging the scupper hole. I usually grab the hatch strap held by only a rivet all the while worrying that the rivet will eventually come off.
I have a Ford Taurus with a roof rack and J racks mounted. Since there is a bow in the roof, I took pipe insulation and put it on the J racks so there's more padding for the kayak. Luckily my Tamarack is only about 60 pounds at most so I grab it by the middle handles and put one end and then the other or if my friend comes along we help each other unload.
Hey Steve, I have the harbor freight bed extender for 12 ft tarpon 120 and my 5 ft Tacoma bed. It's another option especially when you get the 20% off coupon.
I love the rug or bath matt method but it often blows off in heavy winds, before I can get the kayak up on it. I feel like a need a heavier rug or may I should glue some weights to it.
lol! The challenge of getting out of a sit in is the key reason to avoid them. I discuss this at around 2:20 in this video - ua-cam.com/video/s8wUamlnAkU/v-deo.htmlsi=GYAvwH1m1gH-I0aE
My easy way is to back the truck into the water like it had a boat trailer. Walk into the water and pull the yak into the water or push in onto the truck bed.
Nice video. I carry 2 kayaks on my bed mounted sideways - any suggestions to make this easier ? I have a bed extender to help with the length. Please let me know thanks
No, it was a commercial product. I do not recommend it after using it for 7 years. The mounting requirement puts it too far back from the center of gravity. You do need some kind of kayak cart, not that one.
Thank you so much. I paddle board, but want a kayak that is at least 10’. I have a big ol’ Expedition and my family tease me about not being able to lift a 40# bag of chicken feed so how will I lift a kayak 😕.
I use a BooneDox T-Bone extender, and it now runs around $260. I recall it being [slightly] cheaper when I bought it back around 2016-2017 time frame. I'm guessing that two 2"x4"'s (right up there with eggs) these days might be as expensive as the T-bone. 😳
@@KayakhacksFishing Harbor Freight has some good deals on occasion. I went with the BooneDox T-bone due to its curved design. My driveway entrance has an incline to it, and the curve keeps the extender from dragging the concrete. I can also break-down the T-bone and safely stow it inside my truck while I'm on the water.
My opinion, based on nothing but instinct, is that the center of gravity of the kayak should be at least a foot away from the end of the tailgate. There should be a rachet pulling on each side of the kayak to pull the center of the kayak firmly to the front.
Love all the tips! I frequently use the tip regarding a steep incline -- it works! I have a Boonedox bed extender for my kayak. I do love it! It's make of aluminum (the first one I had was steel) and so much lighter. And I use the strapping method that ensures the kayak cannot slip off the bed. Love all the ideas with the 2x4s. You have great engineering skills! Here's the tiedown method: ua-cam.com/video/Buy6Qz31G_8/v-deo.html
#1 use a trailer for heavy kayaks PERIOD!!!Yeah a piece of carpet is going to make it simple??? How about lifting it?? Ehhh wrong!! Not simple it sucks!!! Hard as hell to lift !!!! Who wants to paddle for hours and come back and lift it up on the roof again??? Nit me… Second keep your kayak off the ramp unless you got a trailer!! This is why boaters hate kayaks!!!..
![How to Transport a Kayak: Solo Loading and Unloading [NO LOAD ASSIST]](/img/n.gif)
I’m 70. I FULLY support getting a trailer. A used trailer can be modified. I don’t think anysenior would regret the purchase. My wife appreciates it because she was my helper
I haven't invested in a trailer yet. But I'm 70 too, and if I DID get a trailer, I could even go to the Hobie Pro Angler 14 -- bigger, more room, but really heavy! And my PA 12 is heavy enough!
These are brilliant tips. I am a senior woman and was worried about how I would load, transport and unload my kayak when I purchase it. You have completely relieved my mind. TYSM! I was about to buy an inflatable, which really wouldn't serve my purposes.
Great to hear!
Thanks, Steve. You convinced me to get a trailer!
I remember being impressed the first time you aired these videos. Launching ramps are always good places to hang out if you want to laugh. At my street end I get to see some very ingenious ways to transport kayaks with cars as well as SUVs and trucks. It is nice having the larger roofs of SUVs, though. Most of our visitors have two or more kayaks and people to help with them. Watching them get in and out is a hoot, too.
I watch a youtube channel that shows the nutty things at Florida ramps. Soooo many trucks pulled into the water!
This came t the exact perfect time. I am 78 and have a Topwater pdl 106. Putting it into my Ram1500 was darn near impossible for me. These tips especially the 2x4’s in the bed to level the kayak are going to keep me fishing longer. Thank you.
I've used the steep ramp tip, and it worked great. 👍
Me too! Great suggesting!
I 'm 85 and have a Tacoma pu with a short bed. I bought a couple of moving blankets from Harbor Freight for the truck bed. I may get a rubber backed small carpet for the tailgate. I haul 2 10 ft kayaks 30" wide. With the tail gate down, I Lift one end onto the tailgate. I pickup the other end and just slide them in. I do have to tip the kayaks up a little so they fit. I do that using the middle handles on the kayaks. To hold them in I use a strong strap through the front (bow) handles an u brackets attached to the truck bed corners. My kayaks weigh 49 lbs. each.
Thanks for that tip!
Nice video. At 64 I had similar challenges with my 17ft sea kayak and my SUV that has a fiberglass lip over the rear window preventing me from using your 'rug' method. So, I modified a bike rack that fits into my towing receiver (I see you had one as well). It fits into the receiver and is basically a 'Y'. The vertical piece is about 4 feet. Then, I lift the bow of the boat into the 'v' and hold a stern line to keep the boat from sliding off. Then, walk back to the stern and lift up (like you did with the rug'). It works well and allows me to load/unload by myself. I wish I had done this when I was younger anf not as wise.
thanks for that tip!
Great idea about the paracord thru the scupper hole to load the yak on the truck 5:19. Since it's supporting only a partial weight of the kayak, there's little chance of damaging the scupper hole. I usually grab the hatch strap held by only a rivet all the while worrying that the rivet will eventually come off.
nice video
Great ideas
Thank you! 😊
I have a Ford Taurus with a roof rack and J racks mounted. Since there is a bow in the roof, I took pipe insulation and put it on the J racks so there's more padding for the kayak. Luckily my Tamarack is only about 60 pounds at most so I grab it by the middle handles and put one end and then the other or if my friend comes along we help each other unload.
Great tip! Thanks
Super ideas Steve
Glad you like them!
Hey Steve, I have the harbor freight bed extender for 12 ft tarpon 120 and my 5 ft Tacoma bed. It's another option especially when you get the 20% off coupon.
Great point!
great
I love the rug or bath matt method but it often blows off in heavy winds, before I can get the kayak up on it. I feel like a need a heavier rug or may I should glue some weights to it.
My buddy used a rug with heavy rubber backing... maybe that will help
Have you done a vid on getting in/out of yak? Especially for sit in's and at docks where the dock is more than 18" above the yak?
lol! The challenge of getting out of a sit in is the key reason to avoid them. I discuss this at around 2:20 in this video - ua-cam.com/video/s8wUamlnAkU/v-deo.htmlsi=GYAvwH1m1gH-I0aE
Some great ideas but who can afford two 2 by 4’s ? 😂😅
True!
Wow!!! Where do you get those pixilated plates? 😂🤣😂
lol! Back when I was trying different things with editing software
My easy way is to back the truck into the water like it had a boat trailer. Walk into the water and pull the yak into the water or push in onto the truck bed.
Great idea! Thanks
Nice video. I carry 2 kayaks on my bed mounted sideways - any suggestions to make this easier ? I have a bed extender to help with the length. Please let me know thanks
Unfortunately, no. My buddy and I put ours on top of each other. - ua-cam.com/video/0qEVi3FEytQ/v-deo.html
Did you DIY those “boon docker” wheels for transport?????
No, it was a commercial product. I do not recommend it after using it for 7 years. The mounting requirement puts it too far back from the center of gravity. You do need some kind of kayak cart, not that one.
Thank you so much. I paddle board, but want a kayak that is at least 10’. I have a big ol’ Expedition and my family tease me about not being able to lift a 40# bag of chicken feed so how will I lift a kayak 😕.
lol! In terms of length, be sure to get a kayak that is around 12 feet. The 10 footers do not track well.
I use a BooneDox T-Bone extender, and it now runs around $260. I recall it being [slightly] cheaper when I bought it back around 2016-2017 time frame. I'm guessing that two 2"x4"'s (right up there with eggs) these days might be as expensive as the T-bone. 😳
Probably right! Before BooneDox came out with theirs, I got one from Harbor Freight
@@KayakhacksFishing Harbor Freight has some good deals on occasion. I went with the BooneDox T-bone due to its curved design. My driveway entrance has an incline to it, and the curve keeps the extender from dragging the concrete. I can also break-down the T-bone and safely stow it inside my truck while I'm on the water.
@@retnav92 Great points! Something people should consider.
What would you say is an acceptable overhang off your tailgate?
My opinion, based on nothing but instinct, is that the center of gravity of the kayak should be at least a foot away from the end of the tailgate. There should be a rachet pulling on each side of the kayak to pull the center of the kayak firmly to the front.
Love all the tips! I frequently use the tip regarding a steep incline -- it works!
I have a Boonedox bed extender for my kayak. I do love it! It's make of aluminum (the first one I had was steel) and so much lighter. And I use the strapping method that ensures the kayak cannot slip off the bed.
Love all the ideas with the 2x4s. You have great engineering skills!
Here's the tiedown method:
ua-cam.com/video/Buy6Qz31G_8/v-deo.html
Thanks for the link!
@@KayakhacksFishing Thanks for another excellent video!
#1 use a trailer for heavy kayaks PERIOD!!!Yeah a piece of carpet is going to make it simple??? How about lifting it?? Ehhh wrong!! Not simple it sucks!!! Hard as hell to lift !!!! Who wants to paddle for hours and come back and lift it up on the roof again??? Nit me… Second keep your kayak off the ramp unless you got a trailer!! This is why boaters hate kayaks!!!..
Good points!