Loading two kayaks on top of each other

Has anybody ever loaded two different shaped kayaks on top of each other before?  What do you use? Any cons and pros? Pics? 

So many questions and doubts .....  Thanks in advance!

I can easily fit my T13 and Revo 16 on the utility rack.  Two T13s and the Revo 16 is possible. Ive  done it several times but it is difficult and inherently less stable.  My advice is to carefully plan your tie down technique and placement. It is possible to "oil can" your kayaks by squishing them. Try and avoid strapping mid length with a downward pressure.  I kinda messed up one of my kayaks by strapping up through a scupper, and down through another scupper with an over cranked ratchet strap.

Smaller boat inside bigger boat! In this case they sat fine but if needed a few well placed 2X2’s and some pool noodles.... BOW AND STEARN STRAPS a must. 

I have to do that time to time...

I have some well places foam blocks I use to support the upper yak. Then be careful not to over tighten, oil can issues can occur.Here's another time, just last week , when I delivered a kayak for Dave who won it at Simply Fishing!
I call this the CaptSloppywood Express!!



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Side by side on bars like Matt...

Only handy pic is not great...just ignore me and the Mogan...

 

Can also slide a third on top in between those two...but don't like to do that unless I have to...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I've done it several times. figure out on land how they best fit together, then do it on top of the car. 

I've also stacked two kayaks sideways, and 1 on the other side, to carry 3 kayaks on top of my subie.  that wasn't easy but it worked a short distance (around 100 miles RT) without any issues.

honestly though, if you can get J racks up, it would be easier.  J racks aren't super expensive. I don't love them but they can work.

get two hullavators and at least a 60 inch crossbar. Outback and Revo. There is room for two outback on there.

The revo is so light on the hullavator that I find it a little challenging lol I guess I'm used to the outback haha

Thanks, everybody!  I don't want to spend too much as one of the kayak is only used once in a while. 

I noticed that those who stacked the kayaks on top of each other, you guys put some kind of block (foam?) before putting the second kayak on top.  What do you use for that?  Yoga pad or kayak/canoe foam block)?

As far as J-rack, the yak is pretty wide at 38", so will any J-rack work at that width?

Thanks, everybody!  I don't want to spend too much as one of the kayak is only used once in a while. 

I noticed that those stacked the kayaks on top of each other, you guys put some kind of block (foam?) before putting the second kayak on top.  What do you use for that?  Yoga pad or kayak/canoe foam block)?

As far as J-rack, the yak is pretty wide at 38", so will any J-rack work at that width?

the width is not the problem, its the depth (or height).  it may not fit in the j rack properly if it is past a certain depth. there are newer style j racks which may better accommodate the kayak. you talking about a nucanoe or something? 38" is really wide.

Yup, NuCanoe Frontier 12' (the width is actually 41", not 38") and Santa Cruz Raptor G2.

Yup, NuCanoe Frontier 12' (which is actually 41", not 38") and Santa Cruz Raptor G2.

the frontier 12 is pretty shallow, should fit fine in a j rack. i would give Dan a call and ask his thoughts since he's one of the largest nucanoe dealers. Just remember, that kayak on top of your car facing sideways will act as a big sail. so if you are crossing any windy areas (crosswinds) it could be pretty white knuckle (like the benicia bridge).  strap it down properly, front and rear straps, and drive slow...make sure it is perfectly straight or it will rock the shit out of your car.

at 41" wide for the nucanoe, and 34" for the g2 (with its non traditional hull shape) you would need a minimum of a 78" crossbar to sit them side by side.

hullavators wouldn't really be a good option for you, as the nucanoe is too wide for a hullavator, and I don't think the G2's hull design is really a good fit for hullavators either. Even then, you'd need a 72" bar minimum.

so your choice would be to get a J-rack, or stack them on top of each other.  I think the nucanoe's deck and hull being so flat and open would be a good base for stacking the G2 on top - should be really easy.  I usually stack upside down but in this particular case I think nesting them might work well.  Stacking has its own disadvantages in that you need to make sure your deck is clean with no protrusions to potentially damage the other yak, and you need to tighten down the top one pretty tight to keep it from shifting (but not enough to oilcan it)

the j rack has the "sailing" disadvantage and also that its more difficult to load a really heavy kayak up there solo and even with another person as you need to get almost the entire kayak up above the lip of the J.

my advice? buy a semi-truck  .

best of luck to you in figuring it out - shouldn't really be too bad.

I would also look into the malone downloader j-racks. they seem to be a little easier loading and have decent reviews.