Tips to load kayak on roof J-Racks

Hi. This is the rack I use. It's on an 04 Explorer. I'm only 5'6". I own an sot Sanra Cruz Raptor.  I got this down to where I don't need a step stool. I attach an 18 inch strap on the rear kayak handle so I can swing the yak over. When I load the yak on the first swivel rack, the weight is balanced so I just walk the yak over the other bracket with one hand.

Once the kayak is on both racks, I pull the yak back to distribute the weight accordingly.

http://www.sweetcanoestuff.com/videos/fishing-kayak-loader-demo/

Now that system looks very cool.

I just put a towel over the back of the roof of my SUV, lift the bow of the kayak up and set it on the bow, slide the kayak forward onto my padded roof racks, flip the kayak over onto its gunwales, and strap it down.

Thanks for all of the input.  The Sweet Canoe thing looks pretty good.

The sweet canoe rack is an original idea. Only problem I see is you can only load one kayak on a vehicle with it. No swing room if another boat was next to it.

I load two kayaks up on top of a bubble top camper van by myself. I put a piece of pipe inside of the front passenger rack tube and use it as an side extension to lean against. I then grab the rear of the kayak and climb my rear door ladder to get the back up.  I've been asked more that once "how the hell do you get those up there?" 

Ok, since I read this one I've been giving it some thought. On account I now have a pair of J brackets myself and have wondered about the ease of use. Haven't used them yet. What about making a simple strap with a hook on it that is looped onto the bottom of the rack. You lift one end of the yak and loop it with the strap and hook the strap onto the bottom of the J bracket. thus holding one end of the yak up on the side of the vehicle. Then lift the other end and place in the other rack. Go back to the first one still hanging in the strap and put it in the J bracket. Sounds easy peasy. I'll have to play with it when I get time. I'm sure any problems with rubbing can be eliminated with a well placed towel.

The sweet canoe rack is an original idea. Only problem I see is you can only load one kayak on a vehicle with it. No swing room if another boat was next to it.

Jonesz, I believe you're correct. I do not think you can do two Sweet Canoe racks. For me though, my second kayak is an Eddyline Journey and I do have a collapsing j rack called J-lo. So for my situation, I could fit two. Load the Santa Cruz Raptor first, then fold up the J-lo rack and load the Eddyline in that order.  I only use the J-lo for the Eddyline because it's light enough for me to man handle even though I'm short. No way I could do this with the Raptor on the J-racks with all the cool stuff I'm starting mounting on it. 

like jonesz idea.I too have Jrack and sorry I got it but I have to carry 2 paddle board at the same time so I was stuck. The strap on one end of the Yak ties to the bottom of one of the J rack holding it in place sounds brillent. I am gonna try to figure out how I can do that today. Boy a lot of post saying nothing about a solution to the problem I had to read to the end to get a real reply. thanks Jonesz.

I have a Nissan Titan.

At first I did the pool noodles over the yakima bars.  I forgot why I stopped.   Maybe it was a pain to deal with.
Second.  I went to no pool noodles and ended up scratching the plastic coating on the yakima bars.  Over time they peels off and had to get the bars replaced.  $$$ 
Not a good idea.  Won't do that again.
Third.  Tried the Harbor Freight bed extender.  FAIL.  My kayak is 16 ft.  There are a list of reasons why this did not work for me.
Fourth.  Step ladder and J-bars.  This works the best for me.  I can carry my kayak from the beach to the truck on my shoulder.  I then step up on the step ladder and place the kayak on the J craddle.  The step ladder enables me to be horizontal to the J craddle.  No lifting kayak over head.

But wait!  You said Hobie outback.  Nothing works for that.  You're screwed.   You would have to pay me to help you put it on your Explorer.

Malone Seawings with the stinger load assist works for me. I'm 5'6" and have them mounted on my f150 camper shell (well above my head" I can solo load my Hobie Adventure this way, but use a step ladder to strap it on to the front racks.

Malone Seawings with the stinger load assist works for me. I'm 5'6" and have them mounted on my f150 camper shell (well above my head" Ican solo load my Honie Adventure this way, but use a step ladder to strap it on to the front racks.

I think I found that set on Amazon. Looks good and decent price. One small concern is the weight capacity though. It's supporting weight is up to 70 lbs.

http://www.amazon.com/Malone-SeaWing-Stinger-Universal-Carrier/dp/B001V88ZQQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_468_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=41RMwOIw9eL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=18VK7JKEJE1YPCPD39ZB

It's working fine for me and a friend who has an tandem Hobie.

I made this to fit my trailer hitch for help loading my Yak on the car. I also have one to load the Yak on my trucks camper shell.

Going to chime in now that this has bumped.

I think the best setup for the OP's situation is the hobie strapped straight to the bars, and the T13 on J hook.  Using a Yakima boat loader for the hobie will make it easy to do alone.  When you need a second kayak T13, you'll have a buddy to help lift that up.