NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Zone => Kayaks => Cobra Kayaks => Topic started by: AbMan on November 21, 2009, 11:01:51 PM

Title: Cobra Fleet - How to Roll?
Post by: AbMan on November 21, 2009, 11:01:51 PM
I just picked up a used FnD to go with my Triple and now need to make a transportation decision.  Do I just upgrade the length of my roof cross bars and buy a couple of 78" yakima round bars?  Or do I go with saddles?

I'm leaning toward the longer bars unless I find a good deal on some used saddles or J style (Hullraiser).   Does anyone have experiance putting a FnD or Triple in saddles (mako vs land shark) or J style (Hullraiser)?

Let me know what you think....
Title: Re: Cobra Fleet - How to Roll?
Post by: amphibian on November 22, 2009, 06:26:06 AM
If you don't have garage clearance issues you could put a over the shell lumber rack on your truck. Those carry anythingand you will want something sturdy when we drive to Baja. I'm guessing with that pretty red truck you want something you can remove but it's an idea.

Did you buy the FND from an NCKAer? Let's see it.
Title: Re: Cobra Fleet - How to Roll?
Post by: AbMan on November 22, 2009, 08:15:05 AM
It's Mama's truck so no lumber rack in the future. With both boats having a 36" beam it is a tough fit and I like the saddles for driving from ramp to camp without having to remove seat(s) and fish finder.  Some locations I just do the Wheeleez, but others are too far.  If I don't get saddles, then I'm going with Wheeleez at Shelter Cove next year.  I see some more pipe insulation and 78" bars in my future.  

This single yak also prepares me for the Sea Ranch launches planned for next season.

Picked it up from a non-Nckaer who had it sitting in an old barn in Novato.  It was a fair deal and now I have a few rod holders to mount.  It is an older FnD with the rear facing seat for a child in the front.  


Title: Re: Cobra Fleet - How to Roll?
Post by: InSeine on November 22, 2009, 12:07:40 PM
If you don't mind striping the boat down, I would go with the longer bars and set it upside down.  Saddles will eventually warp the bottom of the boat.  Stackers are a better way to go.  But upside down is the most stable. 
Title: Re: Cobra Fleet - How to Roll?
Post by: Dale L on November 22, 2009, 12:22:31 PM

This single yak also prepares me for the Sea Ranch launches planned for next season.

:smt001 :smt001 :smt001

I carry my 14 ft marauder upside down and that works great, not sure how you're set up now but when a longer Cobra is carried upside down, the curvature of the hull has the tip of the bow significantly below the level of the bars, as evidenced by the crease in the top of my truck from the first time I loaded it and tightened down on the straps.   Just thought I'd mention it.



Title: Re: Cobra Fleet - How to Roll?
Post by: AbMan on November 22, 2009, 05:28:57 PM
.... the curvature of the hull has the tip of the bow significantly below the level of the bars, as evidenced by the crease in the top of my truck from the first time I loaded it and tightened down on the straps.   Just thought I'd mention it.

Very note worthy...the Triple clears the cab, the FnD doesn't.  So if I do go with the 78" cross bars you'll see the triple bow forward and the FnD stern forward on the truck due to that curvature. 

Dale do you load stern forward now or is the crease part of your custom yak support system.

My 58" round cross bars may need to hit the market.
Title: Re: Cobra Fleet - How to Roll?
Post by: polepole on November 22, 2009, 05:41:03 PM
Triple and saddles don't work well.  Heavy, wide, flat-bottomed Triple will oilcan  BTDT with my old Triple.

-Allen
Title: Re: Cobra Fleet - How to Roll?
Post by: amphibian on November 22, 2009, 06:30:46 PM
My triple has to go hull down on the yakima bars or the bow hits the roof. of the cab. It works fine hull up. Oil canning isn't a problem it comes out when you take the yak off the rack.
Title: Re: Cobra Fleet - How to Roll?
Post by: Sin Coast on November 25, 2009, 10:11:22 AM
I used to transport my OK Big Game (36" beam) in the Thule Hullraiser w/out problems. I got the Hullraiser (J-racks) so I could transport 2 yaks at once: one is strapped to the factory crossbars upside-down and the other/wider kayak is placed in the Hullraiser.
But yeah, I agree it w/b nice to have the saddles for easier transport from ramp to camp. You could possibly throw the yak on there w/out stripping it down.

Either way, I don't want to see you Wheeleez-ing that triple up the ramp at The Cove. I'll gladly give you a ride back to camp!  :smt044
Title: Re: Cobra Fleet - How to Roll?
Post by: AbMan on February 18, 2010, 11:31:21 PM
Either way, I don't want to see you Wheeleez-ing that triple up the ramp at The Cove. I'll gladly give you a ride back to camp!  :smt044

Sweet plan on it May 15th, 2010

Here is my final post of how I roll, after buying the 78" bars.  It worked great.