Official Kayaking/Canoeing Thread

I have a yak rack with wicked wind noise. I wrapped a piece of bungee rope around the bar and that helped. It didn't eliminate the noise but it make a big difference. A piece of rope would work also. Google "roof rack wind noise bungee" to find out more information. I don't have a fairing installed. Hope this helps.

 

So I went out to look at the kayak today (I have it stored behind the shed on a little rack sitting on some half cinder blocks) and saw critter paw prints inside the cockpit. Looked to be coon that decided to take cover in there. plus 3 f'ing big ass spiders on one side of it. I am going to build a rack that will get the yak higher off the ground and hope that solves the issue. Planning on taking 4 4x4x8's and using those as my posts sunk down in the ground then just a simple set of 2x4's connecting the posts. The boat will sit upside down (instead of sideways and only 6" off the ground how it is now) across 2 of the 2x4's about 5 ft up.

I don't want to go out there one day and find out there is a rodent trying to make itself at home in my damn boat!

 

Some of yesterdays carnage from playing "bumper boats"

 

I was wondering why everyone was flipping so much. bumper boats in the yaks is fun.

 

Just got done building a new rack. Works pretty well and only cost me $11

 

Orange one is mine. Grey is the pops.

 

What kind of hitch is that? Where'd you get it? Cost? Looks pretty sweet!

 

your best bet is harbor freight. right now I think they are running a sale on them in my area of florida so maybe yours. lookin about 55-65 bucks i think.

 

my taco and my yak!

 

Goal post and 1/2 back option for kayak / canoe carry. I was going to go with the low telegraph pole plan but needed the bed free.

 

My little boy and me getting ready for his first kayaking experience. He had a blast.

 

^ Looks like a nice set up.

I recently picked up a Native Ultimate Angler for me and a 14' Perception Carolina for my wife. I am debating on how I want to carry them on longer trips. I have a tonneau cover now, but might need to ditch it for some Thule or Trac Racs.

Here is my Native 12' hanging out of the truck.

 

I've got two perception carolinas I have always carried on top of my car - now that I have the truck I had to buy the xsporter. I haul ladders for work sometimes so I decided to go ahead and get the xsporter setup while it was on sale from ORSracks.com a couple of weeks ago. It seems to be a good setup but I don't think I'll be able to use my J-hook kayak carriers with it how they are. I will have to mod them or something - they are not designed for such a chunky rack rail. Made for thin oval or square / round bars. Good luck with finding something that works for you.

 

Tracrac's were on sale for $199 at Lowes a few months back. Super cheap IMO.

I'm not sure what the Thule cross bar looks like but I do have Thule J bars and I know I could get mine to work with my crossbar with a trip to the hardware store.

 

Here's where i got mine. Works like a charm.

 

I actually have your TracRac modification saved as a bookmark, I might be going that route.

Lowes doesnt sell them anymore, but I saw one on CL for $175obo

 

beer + dipshits drinking it + boats = fun

why so tall? you adding more to the lower half?

Do yourself a favor and only cut 3-1/2" off the verticals if you follow it. I find I have to duct tape the stupid handles up in front otherwise they rattle on the cab roof. If I wasn't lazy and actually cared about my yaks I would add some sort of foam to the horizontals and that would bring them up.



This last Saturday - you can see the tape...


Speaking of the rack - It has been great so far. No loose bolts or any issues whatsoever. The sides are already 100% scratched up from bouncing off tree branches so she has been taking a licking. The powder coat has yet to chip - just the gloss scratching.

I gotta grab some good straps and customize them for 2 yaks on top. All my straps now are way to long and I'm tired of wrapping up the excess so it's not blowing in the wind. For long trips I want to come up with some mounting options for (3) 12' on top with my Thule J's mounted to the bars and a 9' yak in the bed. I got some ideas kicking around.

 

I made it that tall for a couple reasons. My back is jacked up so when I have to bend over and pick that boat up, i have issues. This way, when I load and unload it on the car, I hold it above my head. I can just walk right up to the rack with it on my head and set it down very easily. I also was having issues with critters getting inside the cockpit because I don't cover it. I figure with it being that high, they can climb up the pole but the hull is so slick they cant crawl under or jump in to the cockpit very easily.