Roof rack attachment options

[Donsail68]

Hello everyone

Not sure if this topic belongs here or at the Main forum. I have a Yakima roof rack. The cross bars are round. I just cannot decide on what type of attachment I should use to secure my Malibu steath 14 kayak. Which ones you use and why you like them?

Thanks in advance

Donnie

[reel-em-in]

I have thule aeroracks, so they are flat, but I cover the bars with foam pipe insulation and strap my tarpon upsidedown directly to the bars. I use standard tiedown straps (not the racheting kind because it's easy to overtighten those).

[DanMarino]

I love Malone Sea Wings.

[DOGFISH]

Hully rollers on the back rack or bar and a cradle on the front bar. That makes for a nice set up.

[JKay]

I've got a Yakima rack also. I put a pair of bar pads on them. I got these from Austin Kayak. The pads let you cinch things down a bit better and are a must for one of my kayaks (fiberglass). When I have to carry two or three kayaks, I also have a set of J-hooks and a stacker that I can put on in just a couple minutes. I started out years ago with a set of saddles, and quickly found that I preferred no accessories and the kayak upside down, directly on the bars. If you're carrying one kayak most of the time, it's the simplest method and very secure.

[mytmouse]

I go au naturale with my yakima bars with my yak upside down. Never had an issue with slipping or any movement. Heck I've even had 2 up there at once and it was good. I tried the mako saddles but the distance between my landing pads was too short to have them sit inside of them. But I actually find going upside down much easier than trying to load it right side up. I just lift my yak over my head and push it forward on the yaks from the rear of my ride, I can even load and unload from the side which has come in handy while in some busy parking lots! Lol

Lastly, it's just cheaper. I didn't have to buy anything else(mounts). I have had my yak and yakima bars for over 3 years and no issues with my hull. I've had my yak on my bars for days in the dead of Summer, no issues.

[MetroMan]

I use foam blocks on my bars. The foam blocks have a v shape which contours to the hull. Strap it down, good to go. On my old car I always transported the yak upside-down as well on the bare bars.

[JohnE]

I have used the v-shaped foam blocks, which is the cheapest option and works fine. I also have the Yakima Evenkeel and used it on a factory roof rack. Pretty nice, but not that strong for heavier yaks.

On my pickup truck, I have a homemade rack that fits into stake pockets in the back part and one of the foam blocks sits on top of my tool box in the front. I can also throw the yak up on my removable ladder rack with the foam blocks if I need space in the bed for a motorcycle or a bunch of stuff for a long trip, but much less aerodynamic. I am thinking about selling my big diesel truck with the 8' bed and getting a Tundra that has a 6.5' bed, so I will probably have to go for a ladder rack option or get an adjustable height bed extender.

[chex]

I use the Yakima Gunwale Brackets. Small and effective at absorbing vibration and keeping the yak laterally secured. My kayak is almost always on my roof, even if I'm not using it, and it holds very well.

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/...-Brackets.html

[Donsail68]

Hello everyone,

For those who are wondering what I have decided with my roof rack system, I have bought the Yakima Landshark saddles. I used them for the first time last weekend when I bought another fishing kayak (2013 Cuda 12) for my son. For the money, it did a great job. The best part is the double attachments for each saddle. I have round bars so the double attachments really keeps it from slipping. Now just need to wait for this damn cold spell to go away.