Best way to transport kayak?

Hi all!
Please share any advice you have for transporting 2 10’ kayaks! TIA

 

First, what material? Mine are plastic, not fiberglass, and can take some hits. How far? Around town or across the country?

Most of my trips are under 20 miles. I commonly just stack them on the crossbars, face down, one leaning on the other with 2straps each. I don’t commonly strap the front and rear, unless I am going really far. I also check the straps after a mile or so to verify tightness. It is ok to have one lean on the other and then the second set of straps go across both boats.

I have a single upright set I can install to strap them to have them sit on edge. Nice, but often too much work. I will use it if I am carrying 3-4 kayaks.

I also have used the L shaped cradles and the work well, but are too much work.

for safety, use 4 straps, 2across and front and rear.

My kayaks are 12’ and 14’.

Loading and unloading can be a hassle if the boats are heavy. 2 people with boats held overhead.

 

I use the cradles on a Thule crossbar but my trips are usually a bit further and involve interstate speeds.


The way posted directly above certainly sounds easier and would just try that if more local.

 

Welcome

 

Kuat folding rack...

 

With 10 foot boats you should be able to just fold the rear seats down, roll down the rear window and lay a towel over the bottom of the opening, and slide the boats right in from the back.

 

welcome

 

Thule hullavator. Spendy but worth it for heavy kayaks. Can’t imaging car topping kayak without it.

 

now we need to put wings on top of the roof rack and launch it off a sand dune and if it fails.. then you have the kayak still

 

And bring home all the dripping gunk and river slime in the back of your T4R! Woohoo!

Eww.

 

There are many varieties of these foam block kit if you don't want a $100+ solution:
https://www.sportsmans.com/boats-ka...9qQ72Sn0MDfLBjz1sJ8aAq3cEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I've thought about getting some of the fabric wrapped ones that are more permanently attached for my boats (think Dakine surfboard pads).

These also help get the boat above the shark fjn, if you're using the annoyingly low OEM crossbars.

 

As for my own kayak-carrying:
I only carry one on top; if I need to transport more I’ll use my trailer (set up for four). I bought a set of Yakima Universal Mighty Mounts (link) and had a friend machine four “knobs” for me of aluminum (and anodized), attaching one to each Mighty Mount. The MMs are spaced on the lateral bars so as to “just fit” around the sides of the kayak, keeping it from sliding side-to-side. I wrap a pair of nylon cinch straps around the body of the boat and under the lateral bars to hold it down, then use front and rear lashings if traveling any significant distance or speed.

I can take pics of the knobs if anybody wants to see them, and I can probably get you a set made, too. ;^)

- - - - -

Want to go “on the cheap?” Wrap your lateral bars with pool noodles, and then cinch the boat down on top. There’s a fella around here with an Explorer and blue pool noodles — from a distance, it looks like a weird cop car coming at ya.

 

Ok so it's lumber (I don't have a kayak).

This is a bed extender turned upwards. They are pretty cheap and the arms extend out to over 4 feet wide.

I use mine to transport long pieces of lumber and steel but I think it may work for kayaks as well