The Jenny Craig program for kayaks
It's that time again, the sun is getting warmer, the days are getting longer it's time to go paddling. Oh, but first I have to get that kayak up on my car. Well if that was what you were thinking you are not alone. This is one of the most common concerns of folks who want to buy a kayak. So let's be honest right up front the truth is the smaller or lighter your kayak the easier it is to transport. The flip side is performance, safety and cost.
Let's start with the easy one cost, look at it as the Jenny Craig program for kayaks; it costs money to lose weight. There are many types of light weight materials such as fiberglass, Kevlar and lighter weight plastics and almost all types of kayaks from 9 foot recreational boats to 18 foot sea kayaks come in one or more of these versions. They are just more expensive than their run of the mill plastic counterparts. So what about size? A shorter, smaller boat will be lighter and easier to handle. In many cases a 9ft boat can be put in the back of a pickup or SUV as long as it is secured well. If your intent is to paddle lazily around the ponds then this may be your answer. For those who might favor a bigger or longer boat the answer is a kayak rack, now you can carry that boat on your roof. So, as I said, before how DO I get that boat up there?
There are many rack options ranging from foam blocks and straps which will run less than $50 but offer no assistance in hefting that boat, to hydraulic assisted side lifting racks which may run $750 for one boat but will make your life a breeze. Choosing an appropriate rack is dependent on several things:
- the style of car you drive
- how many and what kind of boats you want to carry
- how much lifting assistance you require
Several rack manufacturers such as Thule and Yakima make systems that allow you to slide a boat onto your car from the rear using a roller or gliding system. These work well with SUVs and higher profile vehicles and with a few practice runs can be mastered by most folks. The addition of a bath mat or old rug on the back of the car to slide the boat across makes it even easier, because you can now slide the boat on the car without damaging the paint! For lower profile vehicles and sedans you can use something called a boat loader which essentially extends your rack out to the side, allowing you to lift only one end of the boat at a time and slide it onto your rack. These options can run from $150 dollars if you have a factory rack to around $350-450 if you include the purchase of a rack system.
Then there is the Rolls Royce of racks. Thule makes several different types of hydraulic assisted racks that allow you to load boats from the side or back, but at close to hip level. Once the boat is secured the hydraulics assist in lifting the boat and rack onto the roof. These are pricey, but in many cases still less then Kevlar boats and are worth looking at.
The Goose Hummock Outdoor Center carries a full line of Thule and Yakima water sports racks. The folks in the kayak shop can give you great advice on the system that will best meet your needs. They will also install your rack for free!
Finally, now that it's up there how do I secure it? The easiest way is a self tightening webbing strap like the one pictured. If you secure it as in the picture, with the buckle facing down, you can use your body weight to tighten it simply by pulling down. Bungees are a no-no they do nothing to secure the boat, it will move side to side and can slide off.
If you like ropes and knots an easy version of what some call a truckers hitch can be used to secure a boat. The beauty of this knot is that it comes completely out by pulling the bitter end. No knife needed!
This is also a great knot for bow and stern lines which should always be used when you are going to drive any distance further then across town or anything over 30 mph.
