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Topic: Carrying 2 kayaks on my car...  (Read 9098 times)

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Malibu_Two

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Any thoughts on how I might strap 2 kayaks to the top of my Civic? Is there a such thing as extensions for roof rack bars? That would make it much easier to lay two 'yaks side by side on top of my car.

Thanks...
Andrew
May the fish be mighty and the seas be meek...


Hojoman

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I bought the extra long Thule bars for my truck so that I could carry two kayaks and safely use the Hullavators without dinging the truck. Not sure about Yakima bars. Of course, if you're not using Hullavators, then you may not need bars of that length. I have a pair of the standard length bars if you're interested.

Howard


Malibu_Two

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I have two standard length Thule bars. I'm thinking of making an insert for each one that extends a foot or so on each end.
May the fish be mighty and the seas be meek...


polepole

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J-rack.  Or kayak stackers.  Or spoon them up there.

-Allen


HamachiJohn

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Sorry to add a question instead of providing an answer.

I too, want to carry 2 yaks.  I currently have a Mako saddle and Hullyrollers for Yakima.
Can I stack a 2nd yak on TOP of the other, but strap both down separately for security?  Will I get ticketed by CHP if I do that?  thx in advance.

Down to 1 Hobie Revo...


Hojoman

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I have two standard length Thule bars. I'm thinking of making an insert for each one that extends a foot or so on each end.

The extended bars do make a difference. It's just too bad you have to spend more money to get them. Good luck on the extension effort.


BillS

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I put 3 yaks on the roof of my truck.. one in saddles and the other two strapped to a thule kayak stacker. 

http://www.summitonline.com/kayak-car-racks/c1000002015/thule-kayak-stacker-p28302.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=googlebase&utm_campaign=googleproductsearch

Pretty easy to use and nothings ever loose up there. 


ganoderma

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I bought the long bars for my Yakima racks. Two boats fit side by side in mako saddles.
- Ganoderma

Santa Cruz


pao

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Malibu_Two  

If you have Yakima racks then instead of the 48" crossbars that are supplied for the civic just get the longer one..66" crossbars which will extend out a bit.  The only thing you'll have to worry is how much load you'll be carring for safety reasons and those crossbars that extend out can cause accidents when walking or working nearby them.   

I bought the long bars for my Yakima racks. Two boats fit side by side in mako saddles.

So does that mean you have a civic too ganoderma?


« Last Edit: December 25, 2009, 02:24:39 PM by yester »


HamachiJohn

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Malibu_Two  

I carry two yaks on my civic hatch one on top of the other with the 48" bars.  So far the weight has taken a Trident 15 and a Caper.  Hope that helps!  
  

I bought the long bars for my Yakima racks. Two boats fit side by side in mako saddles.

So does that mean you have a civic too ganoderma?




So what do you use between the yaks?  a pool noodle? boat fender? something else?
Down to 1 Hobie Revo...


pao

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hamachijohn

Sounds like you have a civic??? 
I used the noodle style but felt that with both yaks it would be more secure with Mako Aero Saddles plus making it easier for loading and unloading both boats by myself.  First I tie down both straps for the bottom yak then for the top one I will run one of my straps through both yaks handle sections to prevent shifting.  Hope that helps.   


Fuzzy Tom

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If your bars are nearly, but not quite long enough to hold 2 yaks in cradles, consider sliding one in cradles way over to one side, maybe with one of the attachments to the cradle to the outside of the gutter tower, then carry the non-cradled yak upside down on the other side - it might just slide up under the cradled one enough to still be one the bar. Mine will carry two this way.   But be sure to loop the straps inside the towers, not just around the stub end of the bar, or the strap might slip off the end of the bar.
 And with a Civic, I'd say you'd better drive slowly in any amount of crosswind, like near Sand City on the way home, or load the car up with some seriously heavy fish.


ganoderma

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Malibu_Two  

If you have Yakima racks then instead of the 48" crossbars that are supplied for the civic just get the longer one..66" crossbars which will extend out a bit.  Just measured my civic and it's the same width 66".  The only thing you'll have to worry is how much load you'll be carring for safety reasons and those crossbars that extend out can cause accidents when walking or working nearby them.  I carry two yaks on my civic hatch one on top of the other with the 48" bars.  So far the weight has taken a Trident 15 and a Caper.  Hope that helps!  
By the way what is the weight of your two yaks?  

I bought the long bars for my Yakima racks. Two boats fit side by side in mako saddles.

So does that mean you have a civic too ganoderma?


No, I have a Subaru. It doesn't really matter, since it's the length of the crossbars that is the issue. Also, the long cross bars will stick out quite a way, as mentioned before. You have to be careful to avoid bumping your head on them. You might want to paint the end caps orange to make the ends of the crossbars more visible.
« Last Edit: October 10, 2009, 12:48:55 PM by ganoderma »
- Ganoderma

Santa Cruz


Malibu_Two

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I like to keep my bars on the car permanently, so I probably won't get the long bars. Is the kayak stacker good/easy/convenient?
May the fish be mighty and the seas be meek...


BillS

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The kayak stacker just folds down so you could leave them right on your racks.  I take my racks off the truck but I leave the stackers on the racks permanently.