Kayak and driving it around
So I'm getting a kayak in the next few days, I have an SUV with a roof rack.
How do I go about putting it on my vehicle and strapping it down? This is a second hand kayak and not one from a store where I'm getting straps or racks or anything.
Any recommendations for straps or stuff I can pick up from home depot or amazon?
not a doctor, not a lawyer, examples I use may not be fully researched so don't take out of context plz, don't @ me
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I would caution against any thing like a bungee strap, as I've seen Kayaks FLY off of vehicles (they act as an airfoil and generate a surprising amount of lift at highway speeds, more so if there is a head wind).
Something like these.
http://www.amazon.com/Highland-92106-Blue-Cambuckle-Hooks/dp/B0002MAANI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1407789979&sr=8-3&keywords=motorcycle+tie+down+straps
It's just the basic rack you see on SUVs. Two rails on the side and rungs along it.
It's that without those cross bars.
This step-by-step will describe how to secure a canoe or kayak to a factory installed or after market roof rack.
This will tell you exactly what'll work with your vehicle.
Well, it depends on if your roof rack is a factory option, or aftermarket. Can you tell if there is any branding on it or not?
Also, if it is a factory option, give me a year, make, and model. I'll call our local stealership, and try to get you some pricing and (more importantly) a part number.
Disclaimer: Pricing is liable to be awful, because I live in the frozen tundra where God saw fit to make sure that we pay 80% more for everything than Americans. It will, however, provide you with a worst-case-scenario.
I'm also biased toward Yakima, and while ago I was doing a lot of sea kayaking and used a Yakima rack to lug it around. I used one like this, since the sideways hold let us more easily fit several on the roof:
Or something like that.
But she says as long as you get some foam between the bars and kayak, you can just follow those instructions to tie down.
@BouwsT
It's a Ford Escape 2008 and it appears to be factory installed (came with the car when we bought it). I've seen those auto adjusting cross bars that support like 150 lbs which should be fine for this eh? Those yakima options are like a 100% increase over everything I've seen though, even though they look pretty amazing.
150 lbs should be lots. Your Kayak would be made of lead if it's that heavy.
I've got my feelers out at the dealership this morning, it appears that Ford bought them directly from Thule as a factory option, but they are trying to get me a Thule part number because they can't buy them any more (2008-2012 option that Ford has obsoleted already. I almost rolled my eyes out of my head). I'll update this post when I have some information with you, and link your name so you get the update.
I was eyeing these:
http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Locking-Vehicle-Cargo-Rails/dp/B0052WHJY6/
http://www.amazon.com/49-75-Roof-Cross-Rails-Apart/dp/B002M3KSK0
Then getting one of these doohickers:
http://www.amazon.com/Malone-J-Pro-J-Style-Universal-Carrier/dp/B004KI3FP0/
This is the kit they are referring to.
http://www.thule.com/en-us/ca/products/carriers-and-racks/roof-racks/feet/thule-crossroad-railing-foot-pack-450-_-13900
I would imagine that the generic kits from Amazon would also work, but I would caution against going with the cheapest option. That $100 kit didn't look too bad, and the Thule one I'm told will work without doubt. Honestly, I don't think the rails on your vehicle are Thule, it's just what Ford would have used, had their customers wanted a roof rack.
I think you have the right idea with the rack, and that Kayak carrier. That's going to give you a safe, solid mounting option. It's also going to be better for the life of the kayak, as mentioned by Darkewolfe.
Edit: Also everyone has a positive opinion of Yakima, so I'm sure they have great options as well. Pick something that fits your budget, and run with it!
Happy paddling!
Looks like that $100 one should fit mine, fits almost all ford products according to the FAQs on it. 2009 Escape is one of the questions I did see, and looks like the same frame for the most part as my Escape.
I should be able to fit 2 kayaks no problem right?
Seems like not a bad deal for $200
@Darkewolfe :
Any recommendations for the oars? Not sure if it's going to come with them, and I'm looking for rack clip if possible, but the ones I'm seeing don't look... great. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place.
I believe 2008 was the transition year. 2008.5-2012 will all be the same, so if it looks like a 2009, quacks like a 2009, it should definitely work.
Yeah pretty much like all of them. Great to hear before I drop $200.
Looks much different from the 2007 models anyways.
you don't need anything but crossbars to mount a kayak
just buy a couple of 8ft campstraps
if anything i recomend a bar that lets you lean the boat up on its side, but you can make your own out of pipe
use the cam straps on either side of the cockpit rim, loop around the bar over the boat, under the crossback then back over the boat then secure the strap.
make sure its tight but don't pull too hard since you can oilcan your boat if you go hull down.
that is bare minimum. if you have a long boat you can get a longer strap and run the tail to a grab loop and tie it off. if its windy or you are driving long distances you likely want to do a bow line to the front of your car
Because don't. Get a solo. Get 2 solo kayaks if you must. A tandem kayak should not be your first kayak. Also note that you cannot solo a tandem kayak, so if you decide to solo later, you'll still have to get 2 solo kayaks.
http://www.sherrikayaks.com/2010/06/10/10-things-to-consider-when-purchasing-a-tandem-kayak/
― John Quincy Adams
Yeah I'm reading at worst you'll just have to add some ballast to the front. G/f isn't as strong as me and I'd like her to get acclimated to paddling and learning how to steer a bit better after our first run last weekend. She was a little panicky but I was able to keep her on course and show her how to steer/stop/reverse for the most part and I think she just needs practice.
At least before I invest $1000 into solo kayaks.
Edit: Goverment computers won't let me link to a website apprently so here is the address for my paddles.
http://www.wildwasser.net/paddles/touring-paddles/prijon-rim-ardeche
― John Quincy Adams
and these Rola kayak mounts: http://www.rola.com.au/water-accessories.aspx (the top of the list).
We use these tie down straps: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PL4H0O/
to keep our boat: http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn295/chrishallett83/20130904_0014151_zps5d9fda62.jpg
on the car.
This is my partner and I in the Avon Descent last year: http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn295/chrishallett83/ImageProxy_zpseb015609.jpg
You can tell we're nature lovers by the way we're hugging that nice rock...
― John Quincy Adams
http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Locking-Vehicle-Cargo-Rails/dp/B0052WHJY6/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KI3FP0/
I think this will set me up really well! Now I just gotta get it all set up and go pick up the kayak from my boss.
The only thing I know for sure is that it's a tandem kayak, and it's most likely for calm water since my boss wanted it for his kids and the lake.
http://www.amazon.com/SportRack-Replacement-14-Inch-Kayak-Block/dp/B00BCLL4LA/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1408153115&sr=1-2&keywords=kayak+foam+block
http://www.amazon.com/Yakima-8005006-Heavy-Duty-Straps/dp/B0000AT0KC/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1408153171&sr=1-1&keywords=yakima+strap
I recommend this combo for a single boat.