Help me pick a yak fishing vehicle

I hate putting my kayak on top of my SUV.  It is just too high (or I'm too short)...

The Subaru's seem like ideal kayak transporters.  Low roof with rack.  Hatchback design for storage.  All wheel drive.  When I get rid of my SUV this would be on the top of the list.

I've never actually hauled my yak on top of the Subaru... I always use my truck... but I agree that being lower than most mid-sized SUV's, it would be really easy.  I didn't get the turbo but with the standard 165 HP engine, it has more than enough pep... it's actually a really fun little car to drive.  

I still like a pickup to haul my yak.  Slide it in the back... clip it in, and off you go... hose down the bed when you need to... fillet fish on the tailgate.

Erik

... fillet fish on the tailgate.

 ....I do that too Erik  

Erik - the problem about sliding the kayak on the truck bed is that if you have 15 foot prowler, it's just too long and it sticks out too far to even get a good balance out of it. The smaller kayaks will do better. I used to have a 11ft. Cobra Explorer and it fit well on the truck bed.

Bill, If you do get a 4 Runner, check out Chuck's extension bar on his rack. It makes it easier to load the kayak on the roof. I believe yakima has it as an option when you buy their racks. I plan to get a shell for my truck soon - I'll definitely get that extension bar.
http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/articles_view.asp?Kayak_Articles=37

Bill - I finally found the ULTIMATE KAYAK FISHING VEHICLE....

...gentlemen...feast your eyes:
http://www.sportsmobile.com/

Check out the Quigley 4X4 - NICE  I can see myself living on one of these.

Imagine the possibilities of road tripping (with your kayak) with one of these bad boys!

Alaska...here I come!


ouuuhh yeahhh  

Hey Joel,

Bill said in the 10 to 15 k range.  I guess Joel will be making up the difference.  If that the case I want one too... Joel, what your Mastercard Number?

Ken

don't worry Ken...once I get my paycheck.....from dancing with only my speedos on at the local retirement home   ....I'll get you one  
What color do you want?

I have this bad dream that if I got one of those I would find Joel living in it.

Hey Bill,

Joel and I will be your "Best Buddies".  Remember, girlfriends and wivies may come and go.  But, leeches will be there until you burn them off.

Ken

William, I see nothing wrong with that dream...so go ahead and dream on....

But, leeches will be there until you burn them off.

= I like that Ken.....very well said....I have tears rolling down my eye's  

Okay... back to the original topic of kayak vehicles.....

Personally, if I was looking for a car/wagon, I'd go with the Subaru for the same reasons that Erik gave.  But, if you're looking for a very reliable, relatively fuel economical SUV, take a look at the Toyota 4-Runners.  I have over 215,000 miles on my originally owned 1986 4-Runner, and it's still kicking strong with no major mechnical repairs... and  I really abuse mine.  Looking back, it's hard to believe I only paid $11,000 for it - brand new.

I'm also thinking about buying another 4-Runner (newer model).  So, let me know if you see a good deal on a used one.

Sportsmobiles are sweet but they are soooo fricking expensive.  Ok Joel, if were gonna fantasize...http://www.dodge.com/sprinter/index.html

Big enough to live in, 25mpg, and 500k mile service life all for around 30K.  Some of the civilian ones look kinda cool.  Best of all its not even a Dodge, just a re-badged Mercedes.

Back in the day I had this old PG&E van my wife called the man-van.  She HATED it, I LOVED it.  Rod racks and wader hangers on the wall, plenty of room to crash on the floor.  Bought it at action for $900 bucks.  Leah sees the Sprinter as man-van II , so its going to be a Tacoma for me when I get a new rig.

The big ass van would be real cool if it came in 4WD.

Since we're on the subject of vans.... I used to own an own and old VW van - your typical hippie surfer rig.  I loved it.  I practically lived in it when I went to school at Berkeley.  I wouldn't mind getting a Westfalia (especially the rare 4WD version).  They're nice overnite camping rigs.

Allen Bushnel has a Westfalia, it is one sweet rig. I can stand up and put on a wetsuit in it.

The Westfalia is great, but hard to keep alive, especially no that they are all getting pretty old.

a car is nice and short, easy to put the boat on top, but no room for gear. my new truck is great for storing gear in big tupperwares, but it is very tall.  when you get my ezloader rack next month i believe i will have the best of both worlds.