Best kayak, canoe & sup car racks according to redditors

Nothing super snazzy, just Rhino Rack and then the kayak rack to carry the kayaks around

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V57NUQ/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GA2HKAU/

These work great, however they can damage your door seals, and your paint if not strapped down carefully.

check into something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Summit-Solution-Traveller-Racks/dp/B005OTL11E?th=1&psc=1

I ran those on my BRZ. The large fit all the way across the roof and distributed the weight a little better than foam or noodles seemed to.

https://imgur.com/F15yYzj

With just one kayak you can get away with some foam pads and straps. You don't necessarily need the foam pads, but they'll help you cinch the kayaks down properly to the car. You should be able to grab the edge of the kayak and rock the whole car if cinched down good.


Something like either of these:

https://amzn.com/B00PCNIPBG

or

https://amzn.com/B001OPO7O0


If you are going to be transporting two kayaks, then you'll want a kayak rack system of some sort to do without as much hassle.

This company makes some good affordable products:

http://www.packemracks.com/sportsmans.html

You are looking for something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Rage-Powersports-Vehicle-Carrier-Blocks/dp/B00UCD9G8M/

Basically four foam blocks that go directly between the canoe's gunwales and the roof, and a couple of straps. Really you just need a strap (or rope) to connect the front of the canoe to the front two corners of the car, and a second strap (or rope) to connect from the rear of the canoe to the rear corners of your car.

I've carried canoes that way on lots of different cars, no roof racks required. With the Fit, just be careful when putting the canoe on and off that you don't hit your antenna.

Also, installing roof racks won't invalidate your warranty. By law, aftermarket components do not cancel warrenties; they can deny repairing problems caused directly by the component, but that's it. So like, if your roof racks scratch the paint, they won't repair the paint, but they can't claim the roof racks caused your engine to fail or something like that.

just foam blocks. https://www.amazon.com/Attwood-11438-7-Kayak-Car-Top-Carrier/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1526495477&sr=8-3&keywords=foam+kayak+blocks

If you're looking for the lowest cost, you can get foam blocks that sit between the kayak and the roof of your car - somethnig like https://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Car-Top-Kayak-Carrier-Kit/dp/B003EET2OE/ - if you strap it down properly and tie down the bow and stern then that set-up is secure. It's a slower process than using a full rack and you do have to be carefull if you don't want to damage the roof of your vehicle (just basic stuff like make sure that the blocks are sitting over the structural beams in the room and make sure there aren't any stones or dirt between the roof and the foam). Some people use foam pool noodles instead of blocks to save a little more, that could work in theory but I've never tried it so I don't know how well that actually works.

You should be able to get going for $150 total.

I bought the $25 propel paddle from academy, works just fine. My kayak came with one but It seemed too short so I bought this one because it was about a foot longer.
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/no-limits-propel-94-kayak-paddle?repChildCatid=824204

PFD $25 walmart.

Milk crate from dicks sporting goods $10

Anchor $10

Rope $5

DIY rod holders - $4 for 10' of 2" pvc

Bungies assorted $5

You can get a kayak roof kit for $30 which is just some straps and a block of foam to protect your roof.

http://www.amazon.com/SportRack-Replacement-14-Inch-Kayak-Block/dp/B00BCLL4LA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451264836&sr=8-1&keywords=kayak+roof+foam

http://www.amazon.com/Roof-Kayak-Carrier-Foam-Blocks/dp/B00PCNIPBG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1451264836&sr=8-4&keywords=kayak+roof+foam

I bought my kayak used and it came with a trailer - so I put a hitch on my car for $105 self installed. Euroball mount was $20. Registering the trailer was $28.

This kit worked great for me

I've had these kayak racks for about 4 years, so no, they are not manufacturer (which I think is Thule). I had them on a '14 Outback until last month.

I looked up the big-name brands at the time and was blown away by the price for a basic rack - not any of those with an elevator system or anything - $100+ was insane, I thought. The way I looked at it was a kayak rack is actually very simple construction. Bent steel with some foam and a mounting bracket system. So I looked on Amazon and found a pair for something like $25 shipped.

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The shape that the camps are molded to doesn't fit the exact shape of the crossbar, but this does not hinder them from being safely tightened. When cranked tight, it has no slippage whatsoever. And I test with a few tugs every time I use them. Great price, great purchase, would recommend 100%.

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This is the exact same product I purchased. Note the price was about $25 at the time, and has gone up. You might be able to find cheaper, or even a double set for around this same price. All the top Amazon products in the category all look to be the exact same thing.

https://www.amazon.com/TMS-J-Bar-Carrier-Mounted-Crossbar/dp/B003V57NUQ

It's the sea to summit soft roof rack in size large. I can't say enough good things about it. It attaches in less that 3 minutes and I can have my kayak on and strapped down in less than 10. It can also then be strapped down to anyone elses car in the same amout of time so if a buddy wants to take their car we can put both kayaks on top and be out the door in the same amout of time.

Edit: Forgot to say that the ratching straps do not come with it so you will have to pick those up some where else.

TLDR: Awesome rack here is a link.
https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Summit-Solution-Traveller-Large/dp/B005OTL11E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466260614&sr=8-1&keywords=sea+to+summit+roof+rack

Here is my evolution of racks (originally posted here:

I've just finished trying solutions for getting my 60lb poly Tempest 170 on the roof (almost always solo).

First I used inflatable roof racks from Malone, which get the job done surprisingly well, but lifting the 17 foot boat up there remained a challenge.

Second I shifted to J racks as i hated watching the hull deform a bit (temporarily only) by tying the poly boat down on the inflatable. So I got these Malone J Racks. I like these racks, but they add a few inches to the height needed to lift the boat. I could do it, but tended to scrape the car and boat up a bit. That and eventually I was going to injure my back.

Third I got the Malone Telos Load Assist which seemed like a nice, more affordable solution to load assist than the Thule Hullavator. It can be moved from side to side and vehicle to vehicle so the more boats you are loading (requiring Malone J racks) the cheaper it is effectively. The Telos system works, but ins't perfect. It was still scratching my boat up too much, and my side mirror even when folded in. Honestly for smaller boats it would have been just fine.

Finally I caved and returned the Telos and ordered the Thule Hullavator (Note that you can get it cheaper from other places than amazon, but Amazon is convenient to link to for reviews and such). It is silly how pricey it is, but it simply works. I don't risk my back or my gear when loading or unloading, and it is cake to work with.

It has now been around a year and I am SO happy with the final solution.Going out solo even in strong winds is now feasible and injury free!

Does the dislike so far J-cradles in this tread include when used for poly sea kayaks? My understanding is that they should be transported on the side to avoid stress on the boat, where glass boats should be hull down.

Thanks for the bit of kayak info, I really don't know much about them at this point. I'm hoping you notice my future thread I'll post about buying a kayak, if I need to post after doing my research.

I consider the $200 for the trailer to be paid for already, because I'll use this trailer for other things. So adding in two pair of these racks and setting them up similar to this trailer won't cost me much at all (thanks /u/chancrescolex).

Try this!

You can't go wrong with these. Attwood Car-Top Kayak Carrier Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_dAllzbS73ATFQ

It was my first time driving with the kayaks loaded and strapped down so I took it easy. About 30 miles at 60mph. When I got off the freeway I checked how secure the straps were and everything held nicely.

I bought these kayak racks.

I have a friend who says she uses this setup for their boat and it works well (she also doesn't have roof bars, she drives a Camry): https://smile.amazon.com/Attwood-11438-7-Kayak-Car-Top-Carrier/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1521808778&sr=8-3&keywords=kayak+car

I've used this on a Dodge Stratus, and a Pontiac G3. Hauling a 9.5' kayak and an 11' one. Seems to work ok, but I did have the blocks come out from under the 11' kayak once with the Stratus. Both blocks fell off, but the kayak stayed on top of the car. I wound up with some dents and scratches. It happened when I crested a hill at about 55mph. I think a combination of the roof flexing, the kayak flexing, and the blocks flexing all lead to it happening. Putting the blocks right at the front and back edge of the roof (which I didn't do that day) keeps the roof from flexing and using a ratchet strap instead of the cam style straps they give you would probably let you strap it down tighter. Though if you tighten them too much you completely compress the foam and the boat will hit the roof. Again, it can lead to dents and scratches, if that's a concern. Like DrRabbitt mentioned though, you don't really need it to be tight, just tight enough that nothing really moves around.

Its a TMS J-Bar Rack HD Kayak Carrier... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003V57NUQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Hey fellow mazda owner (protege here). If you want a nice option go with a good roof rack, but if you want a cheap/decent option go with this guy:

http://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Car-Top-Kayak-Carrier-Kit/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375188645&sr=8-2&keywords=kayak+roof

If I had the money I'd get something nicer, but this does the job

I found a used set of the Thule crossbars at a dealership for 240$ that were like new. Then I bought this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0oi8AbKDRG2FS

I use Malone J-cradles. They fit well on the Thule square bars.

http://www.amazon.com/Malone-Downloader-Folding-J-Style-Universal/dp/B004O990KO

Toss my Vibe on top of my Wrangler Sport as well. Not always the easiest thing to load solo.

I bought these guys to make it a little easier on my top:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BCLL52I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's worked out pretty well so far.

Last week I was asking a question about hauling some kayaks. I decided to go with these J Hooks from amazon. We had a little trial and error to get them on, but basically, we took them as far out as possible so we could fit 2 on top. Instructions were crap, but we were able to figure out the best way. The crosstrek handeled them without issue and we hardly knew they were up there. I did have to drive on the highway with the jhooks only and there was a little drag and road noise.

I don't use a folding J-style rack but I do use J-style racks for my kayaks (2 of them) and they barely fit on the X cross bars. They attach nice and snug.

As for securing the kayaks down, I use the quick straps that came with my racks and make sure to tie them off to prevent slippage.

The farthest I've traveled with this setup is about an hour of highway driving (75 mph).

Edit: The racks I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003V57NUQ/ref=sxl1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467757196&sr=1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65

I bought an Inno IN-FR rack about 2 years ago to use on my Vibe. I've had my Crosstrek for 2 months now and it works just as well as it did on my Vibe. Much cheaper option than Thule or Yakima and still durable, strong, and easy to put on/take off. I also really like that it comes with locks built in. I'm honestly not sure what size my rails are. I ordered from ORS Racks Direct and just chose the "Choose bars for me" option and they picked out the right size based on the make/model/year of my car. I had a coupon at the time so they came to $185

http://www.orsracksdirect.com/inno-in-fr-car-rack-system.html

Not sure what you're planning on carrying, but I also purchased these foldable kayak carriers that have worked great (although I only paid $75 for them)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00710CR6W/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I was thinking of doing the pool noodles but went with https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003EET2OE/ref=ya_st_dp_summary instead.

Hoping it works well.

The most inexpensive method would be to buy an attwood car rack set - foam holders, cam straps, and ropes. You can wrap the cam straps around the kayak and through your car windows- essentially holding the kayak to the upper part of the car. ALWAYS tie down at least either the stern or bow of the kayak to the back/front or the car- ideally both.

There are plenty of other options out there too. Those were just a few I found with a quick google search. The downside to that last one is that those kayak racks can run around $100-$200 per set if you get a name brand. I have these though and they work just fine. You'd also need some welding experience and the right equipment.

If it were me, I think I would prefer not having the kayaks out towards the sides, just in case I got side-swiped or something. I like the variations that have the kayaks raised above the platform and then you have the whole bed for gear.

http://www.amazon.com/Thule-830-Stacker-Kayak-Carrier/dp/B0001FUAXQ/

This is the one I use, I have oval bars. I can get two boats on the roof of a Mazda two. Ones a 12', the other is 11'. Provided you ratchet them well and use a front and back tie down to the back and front bumper of the car, its totally doable.

I have used the universal kayak racks for 30 bucks on Amazon and I have also just laid it across the bar. Both work fine. The OB has flat bars though and the bought racks have a round bracket but just tightening them down really made it secure. I have not used them since they got replaced (a tree ripped them off during the hurricanes) but even when they were used, they held up to some pretty rigorous kayak hauling.


Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6UcKAb1JFHDBC

Is this the Swiss Cargo rack you're referring to? I'm new to kayaking, so I don't have a lot of experience yet. I have one of these folding mounts and really like it. Here it is on my wife's car with my kayak on it.

> do not want to mount forward or aft lines to the watercraft for stability

I'm not sure what you mean by this.

If you have a $500 budget, you might want to go ahead and get a roof rack. Then you can get a couple of J racks. The bars might come in hand for other stuff (car top carrier, skis, etc) as well.

I use this.

Apex Vehicle Roof Canoe Carrier Foam Blocks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UCD9G8M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_FDVmDbCE6HTK0

I bought a Thule and couldn't be happier with it. Buy [these] (https://www.amazon.com/TMS-J-Bar-Carrier-Mounted-Crossbar/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1468343275&sr=8-2&keywords=kayak+rack&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011) attachments to mount your kayak to the rack as the Thule ones are pricy. Check craigslist often for attachments. I picked up two bike attachments for about the price of one.

Edit: Yakima's are on prime day.

I'm looking at something similar for my 16. I have a RTT, the weight adds up quickly. I was planning on factory rails with the cross members below. I don'tplan to leave the cross members on if the rack isn't being used. If you find something good and not too expensive let me know.

Kodiak AeroGrip 53" Universal Roof Rack Crossbars https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074VB3BBM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_x6n8Ab7W5XA8X

I have a 2000 civic hatchback DX so we basically have the same car but my car has a bigger butt. I bought this 25$ foam kit off amazon and it works fine. I also got these hooks and installed them on the radiator bolts and carry the kayak in the center of the roof. Two straps that came with the foam kit across the kayak and through the door shutting both doors on the straps, one more like it from tail of kayak to tow hook in the back, and one of the ropes off the nose like a V attaching to these two hooks on the front of the car. If you want to go more expensive there is this 90$ inflatable roof rack. I went with the cheaper route because I usually have a truck but the few times I don't I want to be able to still go out. I've yet to have an issue with the foam blocks. They work really well.

Edit, I also have a moonroof installed on my car. Tightened down tighter then it probably needs to be, the kayak almost touches the moonroof.

Okay, so believe it or not there are factors here that haven't been brought up in the other comments.

First off, what kind of kayaks are we talking about? For whitewater boats, the Thule Stacker or Yakima Bigstack are the obvious choices, but if you're carrying fiberglass touring boats, you won't want either of those.

Second, why is it that you want to fold down - just for aesthetics or do you need to clear an overhead obstruction, like a garage door? If it's just for aesthetics I might encourage you just not to worry about it - carrying your boats safely and loading and unloading easily is a lot more important.

If you're carrying touring or rec boats and want a fold-down solution, the Swiss Cargo carrier is a good option. As far as I know it's really an in-house brand at Dick's Sporting Goods, there's a link elsewhere in the comments. It's essentially a fold-down two sided J bar. Great for what you've described. But I wouldn't recommend it for whitewater boats.

An Expedition is very tall. Loading boats on your roof can't possibly be a pleasant experience. If you're loading heavy boats, I'd really suggest looking into a Thule Hullavator. It's crazy expensive, but it stays horizontal and has a relatively low profile, while greatly simplifying access to your high roof. But because it's so expensive, it's really targeted toward touring paddlers with heavy boats and old shoulders.

My buddy uses [Thule Stackers])http://www.amazon.com/Thule-830-Stacker-Kayak-Carrier/dp/B0001FUAXQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1459269597&sr=1-1&keywords=thule+stacker) on his Tahoe and loves them, but loading is an ordeal that involves a lot of climbing. The Stackers fold out of the way, and unlike the Yakimas they've got a slot in the middle to hold paddles. I use them on my VW when I'm not carrying the boats inside the car (for best fuel efficiency). But for easiest loading for touring and rec boats, you'd be better off with a set of j-bars for each boat. Thule now offers the Hullaport Aero which is pretty nice - J-bars that fold flat. But still a bit pricey. You can get non-folding j bars on ebay for $50 a set.

Tengchang 4 Racks Kayak Carrier Canoe Roof Top Mounted Rack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071WYKQW9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3l3ACbXKNGKB8

I am hoping to buy my first kayak tomorrow as I check into a used one, so don't take this as expert advice.

This [one[(http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=31230526&cp=4406646.4413887.4413986.4417717.4417969) at Dick's is the same kayak with two rod holders. A comparable car carrier kit from amazon costs $25. The BJ's version comes with a paddle, while you can get a cheap paddle for $30.

So, I'm thinking, for about $50, is it worth it to install a rod holder or two? You could actually do the foam car carrier yourself by going to a fabric store, where they will sell foam. I suspect a couple of pieces of foam like that would just cost a few dollars. They might even have it as scrap for nothing (if you're especially lucky or handsome).

Here is the mobile version of your link

I just picked up these for my '13 JSW. A bit pricier than some of the other universal models offered on Amazon but at ~$150 they're still half the price of the OEM or comparable Thule/Yakima bars. I like the fact that they use a metal strap that wraps around the raised roof rails rather than just a clamp mechanism like some of the other universal brands. I've had them on the car for a week now and so far so good. There is a pretty audible whistle above 40 mph but I can't tell if it's from the crossbars themselves or the bike racks I have mounted. It's by no means unbearable but at 70+ mph is certainly noticeable with the radio off.

This is a 14 premium, came with the mounting points in the roof.

Rack itself is OEM from subaru, spray painted the pillars and bars black.

J rack for kayak https://smile.amazon.com/Universal-Carrier-Car-Rack-Foldable/dp/B07PBDRXFZ this came with the bow and stern ropes in the pic

Straps: https://smile.amazon.com/SMARTSTRAPS-Standard-Bungee-Cord-Value/dp/B07NPZCR7N

You should be able to purchase the roof rails that the cross bars mount to. The rails seem to be replaceable on both this car and my s/o's 16 impreza base. (Hers doesnt have the attachment points either) but they definitely seem like they can be added

In the industry, you have what is referred to as a "naked roof". This makes installing a conventional roofrack tricky, but fear not there are alternatives.

One option is to get "towers" that strap under the door and are cinched tight. These work well and my brother has one for his Mazda Protege.

Once you have the towers on, you can get bars that well exceed the width of the vehicle, making transporting two yaks pretty easy.

Although you have short yaks which means they are fat. One way to make stacking boats easier on a roofrack is get a jbar, so the boat can be positioned vertically. I love my Yakima j-bars myself, but you can get cheaper knockoffs from Amazon.

When shopping for bars, there are three types. Flat (factor bars), square (thule), and round (Yakima/generic). I prefer round myself and they fit a number of common saddles and j-bars.

If you really want to save on money, here is dirt cheap tower and round bar set that I used to use on my Corolla:

http://www.prolineracks.com/proline-cb602-universal-car-roof-rack.html

40 dollars...much cheaper than a name-brand like Yakima and easy to install yourself...but the Yakima versions are much better quality.

For j-bars, you can get a dirt cheap set like this for $25...but honestly these don't fit fat kayaks well (doable though, but not ideal):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V57NUQ/ref=oh_o00_s00_i01_details

My vote would be for a name-brand j-bar like Yakima:

For even more room you could get folding cradles.

If you call Yakima's sales support, they can give you a ton of useful information.

Got these ones. Definitely nothing fancy, but they are getting the job done. Had to put some rubber spacers in to make it fit the rack, but that was really simple. Super secure front to back and came with some nice tie-downs. Wobbles a tiny bit side-to-side with the flex of the rack when you hit bumps, but no problems so far.

All in all, two thumbs up.

http://www.amazon.com/TMS-KAYAK-RK-J-1BOX-Universal-Carrier/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405359817&sr=8-1&keywords=kayak+mount#productDetails

I did some more research and came across an article that recommended these (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O990KO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1), and I think j-cradles are the best approach for me since I plan on adding a second kayak down the road. The reviews also look good.

But that is just one component - I also need crossbars / an actual rack. I've been browsing that autoanything website, and there are quite a few different brand options. Any experience with the Rhino brand? Those are highly rated on that site. Also any recommendation on rack type - round, square, etc?

This rack doesn't require it, as it has a rubber strip that runs along the top. But they do make some thick foam pads if you're concerned about it. I bought these for my trailer and they work well:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BCLL52I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can place them on top of the car, or fit around an "aero" style rack.

Still a little confused. How do they work? Can I buy a universal kayak mount and attach them somehow? Recently bought the oem racks and with those clamps I can attach them to this ?
this

Thanks for the help.

thanks! these are the cheapest J Racks on Amazon and they work pretty good!

Kayak mount for car roof racks. Never used. Didn't fit my car. Link here if anyone wants to see them.

PM me.

I'm going to pick this up on Sunday to transport my new boat on my little Honda fit. Should work for you as well, and a little more comforting than a pool noodle rig in my opinion.

I got these on my crossbars and had zero issues last summer.

https://smile.amazon.com/Lifetime-Warranty-TMS-Carrier-Crossbar/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493324975&sr=8-2&keywords=kayak+j+rack

They sell these kayak mounting kits Here

I used one of these on a 13.5' Feelfree Lure on top of a '08 Pontiac Grand Prix for two seasons without much issue. The advice I would have is if you want make sure you don't scratch anything, put a blanket down while getting everything in place.

I have a Chevy Cruze and an 11 foot kayak, what I do is first unscrew the antenna at the center of the roof. Most cars this can just screw and unscrew no problem.

I have 2 foam blocks like this Centering it as best I can. I try to put them right before the windshield and rear window, the area with the most support. When I load my kayak there is a small part that actually touches the roof so I just put an old towel under it to prevent scratching. The towel is pinned by the kayak and not going anywhere.

Next I put these things under the trunk and hood so I can use a rope to tie down the front and back. I have tried running this system without tying down the front and back and I would not feel comfortable driving more than a couple miles going <30 MPH.

Now I use straps like this and open all my doors and loop it over the kayak and through my car. Again trying to stay close to the front for more strength.

Then I just tighten the front and back ropes to make sure its not going to move left to right, and double check the straps across the kayak.

It seems like a lot but the whole process of loading and tying down takes maybe 10 minutes and that's alone. Quick drive around the block to make sure its good and I'm okay with driving for a couple hours before I want to check it.

This system has worked well for me and the only damage to my car has been the straps will move around a little near the door and leave marks but those are easily buffed out.

I just bought these the other day. because my kayak is too wide to also carry my wifes on top of the car. Here's is a pelican boost? 100. It's the 10ft sit on top at dicks.

http://www.amazon.com/TMS-J-Bar-Carrier-Mounted-Crossbar/dp/B003V57NUQ


Here's a video just after I installed it on my yakima bars. I wobble the back and it moves a lot but I just had a loose ratchet strap in the video. It holds it down just fine on my 45min drive on I-80 in New Jersey going 60-75mph

Shaking it shakes the whole car quit a bit. It's solid, and they're $30.

Only Downside is they don't collapse, so I either leave them on and they point straight up, or I take my whole rack off, because the little quick release wing nut things don't get it tight enough. I actually tightened them on with a wrench. So they're not quick to take off.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlzLC2-qe5g

I have a fusion and let me tell you these cars are not made to carry kayaks so you have a few things to buy. I'm gonna attach everything I bought for you and I've had great results with it so far.

Roof rack SportRack SR1002 Complete Roof Rack System, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BHWMDSM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_63UbzbPVPJJQX

Kayak rack Thule 830 The Stacker (4) Kayak Carrier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001FUAXQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_k5UbzbKX7MW08

Under the hood bow and stern tie points. The whole car is plastic and there's no safe spots to tie them. Thule 530 Quick Loop Strap,Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EOZD26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_X5Ubzb54HDK4S

Lifetime Warranty TMS J-Bar Rack HD Kayak Carrier Canoe Boat Surf Ski Roof Top Mounted on Car SUV Crossbar https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ldgyzbKTDDMVG

My housemate went through this two years ago.

Thule and Yakima are kind of expensive. We ended up getting a cheap, "universal" generic strap-on roof rack. It's ugly and it's not something to leave on the car all the time, but it works and it fits my car as well as hers.

We also got some J-bars to hold the kayak, which are helpful.

The problem we ran into that was insurmountable was the human factor - my housemate couldn't lift a kayak up over her head to get it on the rack when she wanted to go out by herself. (She does not even lift, bro.)

So we exchanged the kayak for an inflatable, which fits in the trunk.

Going on five years now with no problems. Granted my kayak (Swifty 9.5 by Perception) is made out of hard plastic, I load my yak with the underside up and also I cinch it down till there's no movement. I'd reconsider if I had a fiberglass kayak. You can also get these I believe they can be attached to the bars I mentioned above. Would be great if you have two yaks to move.

Hey there,

I will attach links at the bottom.

$350 is going to get you a new boat from dicks or wal-mart. Those usually are $299 or so. If that isn't the route you want to go then I would recommend craigslist and see what boats are already available in your area. A lot of local paddle groups buy, sell, and trade their boats as well and can hook you up.

If you just want to do river's and bays you should be able to find a sit-on-top pretty cheap in your area. That said I also prefer a sit-in. My favorite is the jackson day tripper because is a sit in with an open cockpit (bad knees), good back support, lots of storage space, flat bottom for stability, and I can put my dog in it with me. It's a stellar boat and it is made out of the same plastic they use for the whitewater boats so it is super durable. I have seen them used for about $350, new is $599 up to $799 or so depending on if you want the fishing package. Basically, that just means they put a lawn chair in it. Awesome!:) It comes in sizes 10 and 12. So 10 feet and 12 feet. You would fit in either as my spouse is 6'1 and uses the 10. The 10 is cheaper as well.

Most outfitters will let you demo the boat, so I would do that if you can.
If they don't go somewhere else until you find a place you can or offer to rent it for the day, so that they can make some money.

You would want a recreational paddle, which basically just means a longer paddle that you can reach really far with so you don't have to work to hard. You would most likely want a 230cm for your height. I will include the fit guide below from werner so you can get a size comparison. However, you do not need to buy a werner paddle unless you want too.

They can run from $140 up to $450ish depending on what you want. I always did just fine with my $100 paddle, but I got it used (originally $300). Start with the basic paddle, you can get a two part paddle and that won't be an issue at this point. What that means to you is you can change the angle of the blades and that just helps your shoulders and wrists adjust to the paddle. Single shaft paddles usually you have a built in angle, straight, or can have it ordered to have different angles.

Also, a good thing to buy for your boat is 404 which is like sunscreen for your boat if you plan on leaving it outside locked up. It is $16 bucks. Don't forget a lock either, so that people cannot walk away with it. Get a whistle for your PFD and a dry bag for your stuff.

Transportation is not an issue at all. You can actually get by without buying a rack this summer, unless you have the money. I would wait until you are sure you love kayaking and will go as often as possible before investing in it. Bars are $70, q clips are $35 each and you need two sets, and then you need the mounts, for like $125ish. It ends up being around $300 for a rack -brand new, and that's when I was installing them 2 or so years ago. You can buy it used online for like $100 if you can find one that fits your car.

Look online and buy some foam blocks and some tie down straps with the the cam buckle. Toss those suckers on the car, place the boat on top, and then throw the straps across it. Then open your car doors (NOT WINDOWS) and connect the cam buckle on the inside. This won't be an ideal situation for cross country travel, but if you aren't planning on going more than an hour or two not so bad. Basically, you want to pull on the strap until you can't wiggle the boat any longer. Don't pull so tight you buckle your roof- it can happen, but it means you aren't paying attention. If you do just pop it back out- it will pop back out. This is about $30 bucks. It also is a great system for loading mattresses on your car during a move. :)

References:

Yakima Fit Guide- if you want to buy a roof rack- new or used this gives you your size: http://www.yakima.com/fit/Information

Werner Paddles- gives you the most detail on how to determine the right paddle for you and your size- you most likely will want rec or touring since you aren't speeding from a shark: http://wernerpaddles.com/fit_guide_widget/

Jackson Kayak Day Tripper- my preferred choice and seems to be a favorite for a lot of people: http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/recreational-touring-kayaks/day-tripper-3/day-tripper-photos/
(don't let the floppy hats fool you this is a cool boat- I've got cool pictures in it somewhere :) )

Foam Blocks Kayak Carrier: http://www.amazon.com/Malone-Standard-Block-Universal-Carrier/dp/B000SXQCVA

Also, if you go looking at used boats, try not to buy unless you can test it. Look up the stats on the boat as well, some of these things are so heavy! You can also shine a flashlight on the bottom of a sit in and look at the other side, if you can see the light then the plastic is thin and the boat is wearing out.

Check gaskets and screws, if applicable, to make sure they are tight and the washers look good.

Lastly, if you see a lot of patches, unless you plan on learning plastic welding and repair just walk away. You get what you pay for is what it comes to with this kind of stuff.

Best of Luck! Email me if you need any other help, I worked as an assistant manager and sometimes manager(college comes first) of an outdoors store for years. Lots of fun.

roof rack. the roof rack (or rails) runs front to back, cross bars run across. neither Yakima or Thule make a roof rack for your car, so you're going to be stuck with a generic rack. Maybe something like this or this.

Ideally, you get a roof rack and cross bars. Canoes don't use J-racks. You could just use foam blocks and ratchet straps, but it's sketchy if you're going too fast or far. I've made 400 mile trips using foam blocks, but you got to be sure and tie it down well and use bow and stern lines.

Here's a great expanation of how to tie it down. It's worth buying the hood tie down things, $7 on Amazon.

17' canoe is heavy unless it's composite. there's some videos of best ways to load them solo.

Thanks for the pictures!

Is the cross bar necessary, or is that the bike carrier? Also, would these J hooks be able to clip onto the rack you have?

Yes, we have a 2010 Highlander. It came with the roof rack and cross rails. I purchased two sets of J racks from Amazon for $50 (link below) and they work great with our Old Town Vapor 10’s. They’d work just as good with longer kayaks. For short trips we just use two straps around the entire setup. For longer trips we tie off the front and back also. For the front we have the under hood straps that pull out when needed and tuck under when not in use. You can get them for around $10.

https://www.amazon.com/Tengchang-Pairs-Universal-Mounted-Carrier/dp/B07S1LZYK2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=j+kayak+roof+rack&qid=1559098360&s=gateway&sprefix=J+kayak&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

Thats also a little bit of my concern.These were the ones I bought because I was being a little cheap after buying the kayaks and they had decent reviews. They seem pretty sturdy on the local roads that I've been on. I may have to be less cheap and go out and buy some more "premium" ones. I think I spent like 60 bucks for the two sets that I have so they probably aren't the best quality.

get to the gym and start doing shoulder presses!!

depends on the person, and what vehicle. if you can do it on the grass, you won't scratch the kayak too much if you prop up one end on the vehicle and then lift the back up.

watch out for windy days though...yikes, that will mess you up.

there are roof loaders of different types that would help:

https://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Rack-Universal-Loader-Kayaks/dp/B00C2Q3I72

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Tuff-OTF-01CR-Canoe-Loader/dp/B06X8ZK9W7

I have the Rocky Road Outfitters Crossbars:

http://www.rocky-road.com/wk2-jeep-grand-cherokee-roof-rack.html

With a Yakima Wind Fairing and the Yakima JayLow mounts:

http://www.amazon.com/Yakima-Roof-Rack-Wind-Fairing/dp/B00462RVJ6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

http://www.amazon.com/Yakima-Folding-J-Cradle-Rooftop-Tie-Downs/dp/B00FUHDYZQ?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

attwood 11438-7 Universal Rack-Free Car-Top Kayak Carrier Kit with Supporting Foam Blocks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ugiTCbWZCJ677

This is what I used for my 2015 Nissan Altima very similar to the Accord

Keep seeing posts looking for mount options on small cars. Your car probably has tow sockets front and rear + one loop for either. These handle thousands of pounds and you probably have the first one in your jack kit already. Just get a second factory tow loop off eBay for the pair.

Remove the covers and screw in the anchors. Then run straps front and rear plus through the side windows. Ratchet straps are best. Tighten all 3-4 straps until you can’t wiggle the boat with good force.

Photo shows a triangular strap setup since our factory mounts are off center. Third strap goes through the opposite window and to a grab handle. Protect hood paint with a soft cloth. Also shown are purpose bought foam supports front and rear. Complete setup is stable at highway speeds.

LINKS

Foam Kayak Blocks

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BCLL4LA/


Straps

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7P7EOX/


Flag

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F4RX3AM/

Anchors - eBay search: make + model + some of tow hook towing eye loop bracket ring

inno cross bar system with a malone j pro 2 kayak attachment. Here is a link the the malone

Depends on how you like to secure boats. The 401 will probably be a tad quieter since it's keel down. The jayhook style 400 is an angled keel.

Both systems are t-slotted, btw. Do you have aftermarket bars? You need bars that have the channel/trench for these systems. If you don't, here's a link to a Yakima product, the jaylow. It's a jay-hook with a convenient universal fit, and folds down out of the way. Yakima JayLow Folding J-Cradle Rooftop Kayak Rack with Tie-Downs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FUHDYZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VfTbBbSD9D5CE

The Mopar roof rack. I have a cheap kayak rack I screw onto it from my pathfinder. And then I plan on putting 2nd yak on the Mopar rack itself. If it isn't sturdy I'll buy another cheapo kayak attachment on Amazon.

Said cheapo attachments.... Lifetime Warranty TMS J-Bar Rack HD Kayak Carrier Canoe Boat Surf Ski Roof Top Mounted on Car SUV Crossbar https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003V57NUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_b7nbBb1JE5QD4

Here is the mobile version of your link