Thread: Loading Kayaks on to roof

My solution is to build the kayak light to avoid the problem. This one is 5.2 metres long and weighs less than 11kg.

However some of the people I paddle with have fairly heavy sea kayaks. Their solution if they need to load by themselves is to put a towel on the roof above the back window, lift one end up onto the towel and then slide the kayak forward onto the roof bars.

That way they only have to lift half the weight of the kayak. It works well with sedans and SUVs.

yeah mine is a seat on sea Kayak....
I dont know about just using a towel though

Originally Posted by dullbird

I dont know about just using a towel though

A blanket folded about three or four times works even better. It provides more padding and because it is bigger, it can move more before there is any danger of contacting the roof.

At least that has been my conclusion from watching others load their kayaks.

Originally Posted by vnx205

My solution is to build the kayak light to avoid the problem. This one is 5.2 metres long and weighs less than 11kg.

However some of the people I paddle with have fairly heavy sea kayaks. Their solution if they need to load by themselves is to put a towel on the roof above the back window, lift one end up onto the towel and then slide the kayak forward onto the roof bars.

That way they only have to lift half the weight of the kayak. It works well with sedans and SUVs.

Gotta love Strip Plank Kayaks....looks great VNX... I have a couple of Ply designs but would love to build a strip plank... as soon as I finish the boat and the D1

Hey Dullbird

Theres a few options out there for getting your kayak onto the roof solo, although all the systems I know of in-vole lifting at-least half the kayaks weight so if it is a heavy kayak there arent to many easy options out there .

I personally find the t loader style systems when used with taller vehicles a bit difficult. As well as being overpriced and a pain in the arse when you want to access the rear cargo area. If you have roof bars fitted the "rack and roll" system works brilliant and is reasonably priced, or even better the Thule slide bars which are by far my favourite. But after a few years of cutting my teeth as a junior in a kayak store. The old towel on the roof is almost as effective as all the loading systems out there and a heck of a lot cheaper. Have a read through Australian Kayak Fishing Fourm for a few more DIY systems, Im really only familiar with whats sold in the retail market

Nick

Hi Dullbird,

One thing that can be done as a diy thing is to put an extension on the front roof bar that comes out to the side an extra metre or so. I used a strong tent pole that I fixed to the side of the bar so that I could extend it out and then slide it away again. It needs something on the end to stop the kayak being able to slide off, a small piece sticking up basically. You then can lift the front of the kayak up onto the extension, then lift the back up and slide it across onto the rear bar then slide the front across and retract the extension. Still a fair way up to lift on a 4wd and you are still lifting probably more than half the weight but at least it can be done solo. I think I got the idea from one I saw that slid out from the middle of the roof bar and something like that would be much better and stronger as the tent pole does bend some.

Cheers,

TimJ.

My parents are old and weak and have a people mover van which isn't much shorter than a Defender, so they have Hullivators, which cost almost as much as the sea kayaks themselves. When I borrow the yaks i either have to use the hullivators, or need to have a friend to help me load with the normal cradles. My County is just a bit too tall for easy loading otherwise!

All the people I know who kayak have massive upper bodies, so the more you kayak, the stronger you will get, negating the problem.

Don't forget to tie it down properly either, I saw one on the freeway the other day with people swerving to avoid it.

Jeff