Kayak/canoe rack

[Brutus]

I'm gettin ready to purchase my first kayak. I've been lookin at different racks for transportin the thing. I've looked at both Thule and Yakima. Any opinions on either and what you use on your Runner?

 

[4-Ripcord]

Both great brands, cant go wrong. I myself prefer Yakima.

Dont have any experience with Kayaks though..

 

[randersonusmc]

My buddy has the thule rack and its a hassle to strap it down you have to weave and zigzag the straps. I have Malone racks which work great and are simple but you have to bolt them on so its a little bit of a PITA to remove and reinstall racks. I had two Yaks on my roof strapped down before he even got his straps in place.

 

[ryankmasuda]

I've had Yakima Racks and they work well, pretty sturdy too

 

[ALBPM]

Yakima has very sturdy Kayak saddles. I have two 15ft fiberglass Sea Touring Kayaks that the wife and I use for Fly Fishing.

 

[Bearded Cabbage]

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WcR1gU74ZQgVmOoU-KG23-8GXq3mCRs5hND7iX2o984?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uJu2xzn_OXI/TiZzqdjybrI/AAAAAAAADPE/4IrJz36bTjk/s144/carkayak.jpg" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/KnowWake/May72011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCInZrq29vMqZlwE&feat=embedwebsite">May 7, 2011</a></td></tr></table>

Yakima Landing pads to go in the factory tracks.
Yakima Control towers to connect crossbars to landing pads.
Yakima crossbars of desired length.
Yakima › Shop › Rack Systems › Permanent Installation

 

[Nunyabiz]

I haven't taken my Kayak anywhere yet but I was just planning on strapping it to the stock 4 runner rack.
It is what I did on my old car, just had two Yakima crossbars going across basically the same as what is on my 4 runner stock.
Turn the Kayak upside down on the crossbars and strapped it down with 2, 1" wide webbing straps.

 

[Marley2984]

I've owned both and while I think that thule builds great cargo boxes, I had a problem with them using square tube for their load bars. Not wanting to run a fairing I found more wind noise from the thule vs yakima's round bars. just my .02

 

[ALBPM]

Old pic with my yakima rack on my 93' Runner.

 

[maxspeed96ct]

If you have one kayak you can get away without a rack. If you want to transport 2 the rack comes in very handy.

I have the basic loop style thule (2 sets).

But after installing my 1.5 front/2" rear lift its a pain to reach up so high. I transfered the racks to my girls rav4 . Much easier now :nerd:

 

[DocMT]

I'm gettin ready to purchase my first kayak. I've been lookin at different racks for transportin the thing. I've looked at both Thule and Yakima. Any opinions on either and what you use on your Runner?

This all depends upon what kind of (and what size) kayak you buy. I have a 15-foot Perception Carolina, which weighs about 55 lbs empty. My kayak rack has extension sliders and a roller at the end that allows me to lift one end of my kayak, place it on the roller, then walk to the other end of the kayak and lift it up while sliding it along the roller. It's great if I need to load my kayak without any help.

 

[Booboo12]

thule with a Hullivator makes it easy to load and unload. The rig lowers to the side of the truck... recommended if you have a heavier kayak...

 

[borgzman]

This all depends upon what kind of (and what size) kayak you buy. I have a 15-foot Perception Carolina, which weighs about 55 lbs empty. My kayak rack has extension sliders and a roller at the end that allows me to lift one end of my kayak, place it on the roller, then walk to the other end of the kayak and lift it up while sliding it along the roller. It's great if I need to load my kayak without any help.

I'm trying to figure out dis one : A roller with slider?

Will it slide back past the spoiler? Is it removable and just for loading? or will it also function like a saddle?(I think this one is different from yakima hull roller). thanks

 

[DocMT]

I'm trying to figure out dis one : A roller with slider?

Will it slide back past the spoiler? Is it removable and just for loading? or will it also function like a saddle?(I think this one is different from yakima hull roller). thanks

Yes, the rack has sliders that let it extend out past the spoiler. At the end is a roller. So I just extend the rack all the way out (which puts the roller past the spoiler) and then lock the sliders in place. Then I lift the front of my kayak and place it on the roller, walk to the other end of the kayak and lift it up while pushing it on the roller. Once I get it in place, I slide the rack back into normal position and lock the sliders. The saddles move along with the rack as it slides in and out, so no worries there.

Look here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IdHSu5cvcU

 

[hakunamatata]

I prefer yakima also.I have the foam block kit for when i strap the kayak to my civic too.