Car topping options

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
Good Afternoon -


So I will be car topping my kayak for the first time. I have a couple of options and seeking others opinion on the pro's and con's of each. My previous methods were to carry the boats on the small trailer I have, or car top using foam pads under the boat which while it would work still, I have better options I believe.


I have Yakima bars attached to the side rails that came on my vehicle. I have two kinds of mounting options: Mako saddles which the hull rests on and the cockpit is open up towards the sky, and the second option are racks that place the kayak on it's side. Anyone who can provide their experiences good or bad with either is appreciate. I have seen both methods use a front and rear tie down and not had either a front or rear tie down. Comments?

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Mark W
 
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I always just used the foam crossbar pads on mine with the nice yakima straps, I think the saddles aren't necessary. My buddy does his on the side but his attachment it literally like an upside down U and you can attach a kayak on each side...which is nice..without having another attachment for a 2nd kayak. Don't know who makes it though.Sort of like this one, folds down too when not in use
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http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-830.html

I usually get all my stuff from orsracksdirect.com
 
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Mark

You're talking about the Poke Boat, right? I have both set ups for my Yakima rack. For my glass seakayak, and my Fiberdome duckboat, I hands down prefer the saddles (thought my saddles are 20 years old, and several models have been produced by Yakima since then). I have the upright, post like, sit the kayak on the side things too, and we use them for the "fun kayaks"...we have three, identical, short and fat, rotomolded kayaks I got on clearance for about a buck and a half. One for each of the the family. For "plasticy" boats I have no qualms about hauling them on their sides. For a glass, kevlar or similar constructed kayak type boat I prefer to haul them sitting "flat" (cockpit upright).

I have always ties all boats on the roof front and rear. I'm probably over the top in securing loads (a little OCD) but have never had an issue. On the little "fun kayaks" I'm quite sure I wouldn't need to secure the ends. On longer boats and cars with shorter roof lengths (resulting in the bars closer together) the wind off other vehicles (especially trucks) or a cross breeze can really make the load wiggle. I rely on the straps or ropes over the top of the boat from bar to bar to hold it down. The end lines are just for the wiggle.

For the woodstrip canoe, I have the little angle gunnel brackets, tie over the top, from bow and stern to the corners of the bumper, and add a line from the back crossbar to the thwart in case I have an emergency braking stop.

Hope this helps,

Chuck
 
Mark,

I've got "saddles" on my rack for my kayaks and canoe. I have hauled them both "upright" (cockpit up) and "upside down" (cockpit down) in the same saddle. My kevlar canoe either rides upright in the saddle or upside down, directly gunnel to cross bars.

If I am expecting rain or on a multiple day trip, they ride upside down. For a same day trip they ride right side up.

My cross bars are about 5 foot apart front to back and I don't feel the need for additional front and rear tie straps. I'd be leery of the sideways configuration only because it presents a taller profile to any cross winds.

I can load by putting one end of the kayak in the rear saddle then sliding it forward until it engages the front saddle. If I wish to haul in an upside down position, I rotate the boat once it is in the saddles before strapping it down.
 
I don't have much experience with boats on their sides (did it once I believe and didn't much care for it because of how big a sail it created on a windy afternoon), but here's a question. is there a reason you would haul your boats cockpit side up? I've always hauled canoes and kayaks and puddlers cockpit down (that's the way I was taught)...so is one way "better" over another?
 
I've never had a special rack or car-top rails so I can't comment on that, but I've owned a lot of wratchet-straps. I like cockpit down when extra storage isn't needed and cockpit up when I wanna utilize the area inside my boat for holding stuff. When upside down, foam water-noodles are nice if they fit the cockpit rails snugly to minimize marring the top of your car. I never really prioritized paint protection much personally. A MN-Company called Space-Trailers has a nice product for stuff like what you're describing. Brothers who invented Rollerblades run that outfit. They've got lots of pics on their site if you wanted to look at that. Might give you some additional ideas. I kind of like the Beverly Hillbillies method as you can see.

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Gnat.jpg

 
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is there a reason you would haul your boats cockpit side up?
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As for what works for me, I find the kayak slides into the saddles smoother with the cockpit up. I have anchor cleats, rod holder bases, and GPS bases on the decks and these make good obstacles to prevent me from smoothly loading in the cockpit down position.

I have not experienced any difference when going down the road either way. I do have cockpit covers which will keep the rain out. I just don't use them much for short local trips.

Typically I haul my canoe gunnel down.
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