New to kayaking

[Scout_man]

Me and the girlfriend are going to buy two identical kayaks. not sure of the brand weight the width ect. We have a 96 Pontiac Grand prix with a sun roof and no rack system. How would you guys suggest we transport them to the lake? We won't have the money to afford a fancy rack system for awhile but are willing to spend some cash on a diy project till we can afford a better more stable rack system. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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[Yak Fish]

You may be surprised....someone here may be looking to get rid of a rack system cheaper than a DYI. I think it'll be tough to transport two kayaks without one. Is a tandem kayak a possibility?

[Cowpokey]

Why get identical kayaks? I think you might be painting yourself into a corner.

[mweber02]

Welcome to the site.

I actually just met someone a few weeks ago that told me a horror story about trying to carry a kayak with a sunroof. The weight and forces from wind resistance caused some serious damage and leaks.

I haul my kayak on my mustang without a sunroof and no rack. I use the foam block kit from bps. The roof buckles when I tighten down on it but pops right back to normal when I release the straps. I have however ended up with some scratches and worn paint during my learning curve.

I make due without the rack one because I don't want to spend 300+ but I also don't want to put a roof rack on a mustang and have my own personal reservations about the removal kind. Having put the same kayak on my suv racks though I can definitely say it is way more secure with half the straps used.

As for DIY, I personally wouldn't be willing to risk it. If it isn't commercially designed to withstand the forces of doing 80mph on the vehicle I am putting it on, I wouldn't trust it. Sure you might keep the yak secured firmly to the rack, but how secure is the rack to the vehicle? In that case for me I would hold out until I could budget for the right system instead of risking the whole thing flying off, damaging the car, probably destroying the yak, and likely causing a potentially fatal accident.

[Scout_man]

Why get identical kayaks? I think you might be painting yourself into a corner.

Why would this paint myself into a corner?

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[Scout_man]

You may be surprised....someone here may be looking to get rid of a rack system cheaper than a DYI. I think it'll be tough to transport two kayaks without one. Is a tandem kayak a possibility?

She doesn't want a tandem don't think I didn't try lol

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[jet]

like mweber02 said, these foam blocks may be your only option. there are a bunch out there and you can find them cheaper than this too.

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...ductId=3997688

[Cowpokey]

Why would this paint myself into a corner?

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Because you wouldn't have different kayaks to see what you prefer. I went with what I thought would be sufficient for my first kayak, only to regret it later because it was a basic sit in kayak (aka SinK). If you're getting kayaks for fishing, there are certain designs that are far superior for the task. The kayaks offered at the "big box stores" are a starting point, and will get the job done, but the more specialized (i.e. expensive) kayaks really improve the experience. I started with a $300 SinK, and now have a much more expensive, but worth it, pedal kayak. I can't see going back to a paddle for fishing...unless I was going flats fishing that wouldn't have water deep enough for the pedals/fins.

[Yak Fish]

Because you wouldn't have different kayaks to see what you prefer. I went with what I thought would be sufficient for my first kayak, only to regret it later because it was a basic sit in kayak (aka SinK). If you're getting kayaks for fishing, there are certain designs that are far superior for the task. The kayaks offered at the "big box stores" are a starting point, and will get the job done, but the more specialized (i.e. expensive) kayaks really improve the experience. I started with a $300 SinK, and now have a much more expensive, but worth it, pedal kayak. I can't see going back to a paddle for fishing...unless I was going flats fishing that wouldn't have water deep enough for the pedals/fins.

+1 on that. I think most of us have the same experience. My first kayak got me through one season before wanting something better. On the downside, if you each get a different one, you'll have to fight over the favorite

[Scout_man]

My roof dimensions are 51 and a quarter in long by 47 in wide hat you guys think the kayaks are 10 feet long by 30 in wide and 13in tall how would I get these to where I want to go?

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[VuDism]

INFLATABLE KAYAK

a lot of people on here are all about hard shell and have issue because they will say inflatables aren't durable and don't track well etc... but they've never tried the newer ones with drop stitched floors. I have an inflatable kayak because my car is a Scion FRS... i cant even put a rack on it. It takes me 10 minutes to go from car to water. My kayak takes 5 minutes to inflate.

best one you can get IMO is a Sea Eagle 385 Fast Track

http://inflatableboats4less.com/fasttrack-kayaks/

I current have a Sevylor Sk100ds. You can buy one at Walmart.com for under $250... it used to be $600 when it first released. It has a drop stitched floor and tough as hell. You CANNOT put a hook through it. Only issue is I had to install a Skeg on it as it doesn't track well on flat water because it was made to be a white water yak. Skeg install was $20 and it tracks fine.
http://www.walmart.com/search/search...h_constraint=0

another fine alternative.
NRS PIKE
http://www.nrs.com/product/16363/nrs...flatable-kayak


torture test on sea eagle...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ardGNdwZ0aQ

honestly, if i could afford a second car/truck and had more storage space i wouldn't mind a hard shell..

But right now, i have a small car, and it is great when i want to go on the water I just take my kayak (which is in a carrying bag), toss it in my car and go. no loading on a roof and having to tie it down etc.
Sometimes I go fishing after work, so In the morning i toss my yak and rod in the trunk and go to work.

[buzz]

My roof dimensions are 51 and a quarter in long by 47 in wide hat you guys think the kayaks are 10 feet long by 30 in wide and 13in tall how would I get these to where I want to go?

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I don't see how you are going to carry 2 yaks on that roof without a rack. The foam block method is only good for hauling one boat.
I saw a nice one on the road yesterday made from 4" PVC pipe.

Like Yak Fish said, you could always look in the Tackle Shop for a used rack.
Craigslist is another good resource for used stuff.
And like the PVC idea I spotted, there is always the DIY method.

[CAGE RATTLER]

You could always build yourself a cheap kayak trailer. There's a cheap trailer at harbour frieght that a lot of people convert to hauling kayaks. I can post some links for you later if the trailer idea interests you.

I have a pick up truck and still prefer the trailer because I hated putting all the gear inside my cab.

[Scout_man]

You could always build yourself a cheap kayak trailer. There's a cheap trailer at harbour frieght that a lot of people convert to hauling kayaks. I can post some links for you later if the trailer idea interests you.

I have a pick up truck and still prefer the trailer because I hated putting all the gear inside my cab.

Yeah send me those links. I don't know much about kayaking but we want a hard shell we think it would be more durable and more fun.

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[CAGE RATTLER]

This is probably the best kayak trailer thread out there.

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/f...?f=53&t=121567