Transporting your Kayak - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

MrPukaShell · 03-18-2012, 08:16 AM

Going to get a rack for my 3 Door Focus instead of driving the 15 passenger Van gas hog. Is there any difference of carrying it upside down or right side up? Going to throw a Stealth 14 up there and I figure the Kayak is about as long as the car. Any Thoughts?

echo1er · 03-18-2012, 08:43 AM

Oceanside Dive and Kayak suggest that I transfer my yak upside down.

J3FFro · 03-18-2012, 09:20 AM

What is the kayak sitting on? Contour shape foam pads or pool noodles?

I used both types of pads/noodles and like the pool noodles more. With the pool noodles, you can mount the kayak either up/down side. With the foam pads, you can only mount it right side up.

IMO, as long as you strap it down tight, it doesn't matter which way you mount the kayak.

btw, my kayak is an x-factor.

Yakin · 03-18-2012, 01:20 PM

any suggestions for good storage with out having to fork out a shit load

Jimmyz123 · 03-18-2012, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPukaShell

Going to get a rack for my 3 Door Focus instead of driving the 15 passenger Van gas hog. Is there any difference of carrying it upside down or right side up? Going to throw a Stealth 14 up there and I figure the Kayak is about as long as the car. Any Thoughts?

They travel just as well upside down or right side up. Just make sure you attach the Bow and stern lines to anchor it from moving forward or back.

addicted2sp33d · 03-18-2012, 06:55 PM

I prefer to transport upside down, because my FnD has a keel, so it can't possibly sit flat on the crossbars.

I've also seen noobs' kayaks riding "right-side-up" with loose straps and the hull is generating lift., so I usually transport like this:

Like Jimmyz123 said, a solid bow line and solid stern line will help immensly with stability.

oneyedeer · 03-19-2012, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yakin

any suggestions for good storage with out having to fork out a shit load

pvc rack( if you have multiple) or make your own pulley system if you have one...there was a post in the innovation thread i think

oneyedeer · 03-19-2012, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPukaShell

Going to get a rack for my 3 Door Focus instead of driving the 15 passenger Van gas hog. Is there any difference of carrying it upside down or right side up? Going to throw a Stealth 14 up there and I figure the Kayak is about as long as the car. Any Thoughts?

if i had a choice it would be upside down......but i don't think it matters much for transportation....for long term i definitely do upside down

Yakin · 03-19-2012, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneyedeer

pvc rack( if you have multiple) or make your own pulley system if you have one...there was a post in the innovation thread i think

I was actually thinking about making my own
what gage pvc should I use?
Cause right now i have my PA upside down in my garage

fishingfiend · 03-19-2012, 04:10 PM

I use the Thule SlipStream 887xt and it wants the kayak in the up position for transport. As noted, proper bow/stern tie down lines are more important than orientation. With a small hatch that the OP is referencing, the cheap way out would be foam blocks for the kayak and plenty of straps from harborfreight.

mtnbykr2 · 03-19-2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishingfiend

I use the Thule SlipStream 887xt and it wants the kayak in the up position for transport. As noted, proper bow/stern tie down lines are more important than orientation. With a small hatch that the OP is referencing, the cheap way out would be foam blocks for the kayak and plenty of straps from harborfreight.

I like this set up, good fuel economy, and with the Outback positioned, stern forward, a good bit of down force for those canyon roads...nice setup

fishingfiend · 03-19-2012, 04:26 PM

Nice catch on the stern forward. I figure it would keep the rudder and seat from being an issue during longer trips. As others have noted, these expensive hobies require an appropriate racking system. I made sure to factor that into my budget.

MrPukaShell · 03-19-2012, 05:26 PM

I am working on putting a Thule rack on the roof. I have the glide feet on my van. The problem with a 2 door is the bars would be close together. So I found a "Short Roof Adaptor" to spread the bars apart. Next are the clips and a wind visor. Here we go, Happy hunting on Craigslist.

tagyak · 03-21-2012, 08:05 PM

well i've tried a lot of different ways to haul my yak to the water. tried loading it on top of my sequoia (too tall) and my wife was no help with loading it.
used my crv; worked well but car got into an accident so no longer around but it too was a two person job for me to load it and unload it.
bought a prius for the obvious reasons and tried to use the roof to transport the yak a little easier to load than the crv but still more troublesome than it was worth. the worst part with transporting it on top of the roof, noticed a big drop off on my fuel consumption (from 45 to 34 mpg).

so now i have turned to this......

it also doubles as my storage rack.

J3FFro · 03-21-2012, 08:16 PM

Nice.. You can just man-tow it to the beach.. lol

maui jim · 03-21-2012, 08:29 PM

Whats in the fridge??

bus kid · 03-22-2012, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maui jim

Whats in the fridge??

smores.

MrPukaShell · 03-22-2012, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tagyak

well i've tried a lot of different ways to haul my yak to the water. tried loading it on top of my sequoia (too tall) and my wife was no help with loading it.
used my crv; worked well but car got into an accident so no longer around but it too was a two person job for me to load it and unload it.
bought a prius for the obvious reasons and tried to use the roof to transport the yak a little easier to load than the crv but still more troublesome than it was worth. the worst part with transporting it on top of the roof, noticed a big drop off on my fuel consumption (from 45 to 34 mpg).

so now i have turned to this......

it also doubles as my storage rack.

1st Can I have the "Grey" wheels hanging on the wall? I mean you have the steroid version so you won't be using them anymore. 2nd, did you put a hitch on the Prius? Like the set up though, but driving at 55 you are going to have to get up and leave a little earlier or you will miss the am bite.

GR6RR · 03-22-2012, 04:14 PM

fishingfiend · 03-22-2012, 05:09 PM

tagyak, nice setup! With a killer trailer like that you should upgrade to a Pro Angler!

I've seen countless threads about a PRIUS and a rooftop rack. The hobie site had a good thread on using a prius as a base vehicle for a PA.
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewt...=20078&start=0

03-18-2012, 08:16 AM	#1
MrPukaShell Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ventura COunty Posts: 521	Transporting your Kayak Going to get a rack for my 3 Door Focus instead of driving the 15 passenger Van gas hog. Is there any difference of carrying it upside down or right side up? Going to throw a Stealth 14 up there and I figure the Kayak is about as long as the car. Any Thoughts?

03-21-2012, 08:29 PM	#16
maui jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cypress, CA Posts: 789	Whats in the fridge?? __________________

03-22-2012, 04:14 PM	#19
GR6RR Lucky Fisher Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: too far inland Posts: 366	__________________

03-18-2012, 08:43 AM	#2
echo1er Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 598	Oceanside Dive and Kayak suggest that I transfer my yak upside down.

03-18-2012, 09:20 AM	#3
J3FFro Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cali Posts: 120	What is the kayak sitting on? Contour shape foam pads or pool noodles? I used both types of pads/noodles and like the pool noodles more. With the pool noodles, you can mount the kayak either up/down side. With the foam pads, you can only mount it right side up. IMO, as long as you strap it down tight, it doesn't matter which way you mount the kayak. btw, my kayak is an x-factor.

03-18-2012, 01:20 PM	#4
Yakin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Bernardino, CA Posts: 913	any suggestions for good storage with out having to fork out a shit load

03-18-2012, 06:55 PM	#6
addicted2sp33d Here fishy fishy fishy... Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 774	I prefer to transport upside down, because my FnD has a keel, so it can't possibly sit flat on the crossbars. I've also seen noobs' kayaks riding "right-side-up" with loose straps and the hull is generating lift., so I usually transport like this: Like Jimmyz123 said, a solid bow line and solid stern line will help immensly with stability.

03-19-2012, 04:10 PM	#10
fishingfiend Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 196	I use the Thule SlipStream 887xt and it wants the kayak in the up position for transport. As noted, proper bow/stern tie down lines are more important than orientation. With a small hatch that the OP is referencing, the cheap way out would be foam blocks for the kayak and plenty of straps from harborfreight.

03-19-2012, 04:26 PM	#12
fishingfiend Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 196	Nice catch on the stern forward. I figure it would keep the rudder and seat from being an issue during longer trips. As others have noted, these expensive hobies require an appropriate racking system. I made sure to factor that into my budget.

03-19-2012, 05:26 PM	#13
MrPukaShell Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ventura COunty Posts: 521	I am working on putting a Thule rack on the roof. I have the glide feet on my van. The problem with a 2 door is the bars would be close together. So I found a "Short Roof Adaptor" to spread the bars apart. Next are the clips and a wind visor. Here we go, Happy hunting on Craigslist.

03-21-2012, 08:16 PM	#15
J3FFro Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cali Posts: 120	Nice.. You can just man-tow it to the beach.. lol

03-22-2012, 05:09 PM	#20
fishingfiend Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 196	tagyak, nice setup! With a killer trailer like that you should upgrade to a Pro Angler! I've seen countless threads about a PRIUS and a rooftop rack. The hobie site had a good thread on using a prius as a base vehicle for a PA. http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewt...=20078&start=0