How are you mounting your kayaks?

Hey all,

Recently picked up a Pelican Catch 120 fishing kayak and having difficulty finding a stable transport solution.

I just got back from a 700+ mile road trip in which I had it mounted to my Uptop Overland Bravo rack via Yakima J hooks


The wind noise and vibration damn near drove me crazy by hour 5. ON the way home, Highway 46 for all my Central Cal folks, the insane 40 mph cross wind had loosened the J-hooks grip on my cross bar the kayak was barely hanging on.

I have since returned the hooks as I want to have total confidence in my system as I have a BAJA road trip planned for August.

I was looking at something like this but would bolt into the existing channel of the rack

Do any have yall have any experience with a mount that will bolt onto my rack's cross bars instead of the clamp method of the j-hooks?


Thanks!

 

you could go with some saddles like these

Rhino Rack Nautic 570 Side Loading SUP or Kayak Carrier with Tie-Downs & Universal Roof Rack Mounting System; Large Padded Cradles for Gentle Watercraft Transportation, Black (570)

https://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Rack-5...?keywords=kayak+saddles&qid=1657146402&sr=8-4

 

Thank you for this. I am really trying to find a saddle that will bolt into the 80/20 crossbars of my roof rack... Maybe the spacing of that clamp will line up but doubt it...

 

You could also just lay your kayak flat directly on your roof rack. Put a few Dollar Store swimming foam underneath your kayak so it doesn’t scratch up too bad.

Also, I always secure the front and rear of the kayak to the front and rear of the truck for additional piece of mind.

edit: These are sweet as well too. I have used in the past.
https://www.thule.com/en-us/winter-...yak-roof-racks/thule-hullavator-pro-_-1685448

 

I have the Yakima big catch kayak saddles and have had them mounted as pictured in your post. I did buy a Yakima brand t-slot mount for them but haven’t installed it yet. https://yakima.com/products/smart-slot-kit-4

 

581 - Nautic 581 Kayak Carrier - Rear Loading

https://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Rack-5...&sprefix=rhino-rack+nautic+580+,aps,96&sr=8-3

the 580 will mount in tracks. just found that out.

 

Haul them like this on the 05 AC with Thule Xsporter with windsurfer pads on crossbars............





Will work the same way on the 08 RC but for easy closer places with less other stuff, added the goalpost option....



Added some reflective tape to upright and crossbar

 

I went with the Retrax XR cover and the Yakima bed rack. We just did a road trip from Colorado to Minnesota and back with no issues besides a hit to the MPG.

 

J hooks on the cap

 

Exactly wht I am looking for, Thanks for the link aswell!

 

Lucky my roof rack and RTT make a nice flat surface.

 

Sure, hope it works out.

 

Your boat isn’t touching the cab?

 

Most of the time my 10’ kayak rides in the bed with a few cam straps holding it snug against the bed mat. I plan on sewing up some pads for the bed bars for when I need to carry multiple boats or other gear.

 

What is that tarp semi-softtop thing? I could use one of those inside my Thule racks like that. Where'd you score it?

 

you pretty much nailed the name! It’s something I’ve been working on and I sewed it up myself. I should finally make a post about it in the topper/tonneau forum…

 

J Hooks on the rack.

 

If I carry one kayak with me, then I use the bed with straps.

If I bring extra kayak, then I put it on rack with straps down.