Kayak Carriers

[Handy Al]

Any kayakers in the group?

My LOML and I picked up 2 Wilderness System Pungo kayaks this afternoon. I got the 12ft versions and she got the 10ft.

The dealer loaned me some form blocks and and straps to get home. I'm looking are a carrier to go on a Nissan Murano with a factory roof racks.

Any suggestions?

[wbsettle]

For factory roof rails, I like the Yakima Lowriders and appropriate length cross bars. Once fitted and familiar with the mechanism, I can take them on/off of my 4Runner in 5-10 minutes. I'm sure Thule makes something similar. Both Yakima and Thule have equipment advisor wizards on their websites.

Don't forget the fairing for wind noise. You'll most likely want either a stacker or Hullraiser (Yakima's version of a J-bar) since you need to carry two boats. A set of two Hullraiser type carriers get real pricey, but they're much easier to load than holding two boats on edge while getting the straps in place on a vertical stacker.

There is the option to get crossbars wide enough to flat carry both boats, but the Pungo's are relatively wide IIRC (compared to whitewater boats), meaning at least 66" bars in the Yakima catalog. My 4Runner specs 58" bars, meaning the Murano likely uses the same or possibly the 48" length. The 58" leaves probably 6"-8" extending beyond the side rails...not a big deal for most people on the 4Runner, but possibly a low headroom hazard on a shorter vehicle, not to mention the wind noise generated by being outside of the vehicles envelope. Even with 58" bars, I think I'd still be hard pressed to flat carry two whitewater boats, which are typically 26" or less in width, due to where the various mounting bits (rail-to-tower and fairing) end up. Another consideration with long bars...I've read that some states have laws against parts of the vehicle extending beyond the width of the side mirrors...validity unknown.

-Brent

[dbhost]

I've got a Pelican 146DLX canoe (not exactly a yak, not exactly high end...).

I have an F-150 and I use the foam blocks and the trailer hitch T-post to haul the canoe. It works okay. I have a friend that has a HF boat trailer that he welded up some T-posts type gizmos to enable him to haul 4 canoes. Actually 2 canoes, and 2 yaks. I always end up pulling it though...

[cabinetman]

One of our members (aiyou) emailed me this plan for a roof rack that you might be able to make and work for your application.
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