Long Malibu Yaks on Truck Tops

Hey everyone, been a while for me posting here. Currently run a Mini-X on a Tacoma/Snugtop rig with Yakima racks. The boat sits keel up. If I run with naked bars or pool noodles, the bow tip contacts the roof. Because of this I use saddles but I still need to run keel up in order to clear the truck roof due to the Malibu hull design.

That being said, how do you guys that have long boats with big hatches, like the X-Factor/Stealth 12... load your boats onto pick-ups with camper shells or other long flat roofed vehicles? Are you running keel down/deck up, or using those angled hull brackets...

Am curious, in case I ever upgrade to a longer hull.

Any info greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Turn the boat around. Stern forward on the truck due to rocker.

I put gutter style clips on my Tundra shell to keep it low. Bow forward will make the handle bang on the roof.

You don't need a truck. A Toyota Prius works great!

Hey,
 I got an x-factor and use  a devise(not sure what it's called) that goes into my hitch, extends about 4 feet and had a hully roller and  vertical arms that pinch tight to hold my yak in place. Wish I had a better pic.  I also carry my buddy's on top with straps. Works great, never had an issue.
When I use my van, I made a custom trailer to haul 2 or 3 yaks. Good luck!

If you have the boat keel side down you have to be very careful in terms of the supports if the boat sits out in the sun. Had a problem with a tandem kayak even with the special Thule kayak supports when it sat with the top facing up.

I have the boats with the front section sticking no more than 2 feet past the windshield to minimize the turbulence hitting the kayak. At the rear I have not needed anything with my truck but for a shorter vehicle I would add a hitch receiver and one of the T racks to support the boat at the rear.

Keel side up is the best way to transport any kayak and it will be safer sitting out in the sun when mounted this way. Hobie specifically states for their Mirage boats to transport them keep side up, always.

Thanks all, appreciate the info!!!