Rack attachment, pads, or pool noodles?

I have a Gobi Rack on my FJ Cruiser. The rack itself is solid. However, I don't have any yak attachments other than tie down straps.

On the rack there are 2 bars that are about the same height and a third bar at the rear of the rack that is slightly lower.The rack is about 44" wide.

I am planning on slitting a few pool noodles down the middle and convincing my wife to sew up some custom covers to hold them in place (just like surf rack pads except extra long).

It is about what I would do with boards, however, the kayak I am buying is a lot heavier than a full quiver of boards... Additionally, it seems like an even split between people who transport their kayaks deck side down, or hull side down.

Regardless my main concern is protecting the kayak, I would rather spend $15 than a few hundred. But if the $15 plan is going to result in issues I would rather spring for the right attachment.

Is there any down side to this plan? Any Recommendations on a system?

Here are a few pics of my rack:





Thank you!

Maybe a sewn cover would help but I used pool noodles over my rack bars, (yakima round bars), (yak topside down) they only lasted a trip or 2 before they smashed flat and wore thru at the contact points, I've been placing the yak top down right on the bars but after a number of trips it looks like the yak is starting to wear or deform at the contact point, I'm now thinking of buying some real yak pads and hauling rightside up.  Or getting some high quality rubber hose to put over the bars and continue the top side down thing.

In short, pool noodles don't seem to be sturdy enough.

I have used closed cell pipe insulation in a pinch before.  We strapped a kayak to a trailer deck down and used the insul to pad the bars.  It worked well and held up to the road trip.  I wrapped it up with electrical tape to tighten it down and lock it in place.  Best part of it all, it is already split and has a hollow core. Keep in mind that this method worked well because we lifted the yak onto the bars, this propably wouldn't work all that well if you had to slide your boat on top of your car.  Maybe one of those material covers you mentioned would help.

 

I had a similar pad made at the canvas shop and they used Sunbrella fabrick,
These have lasted 3 years thus far without any damage to the yak or the padding.
also with the deck side down i get about 2 mpg better than deck side up.
I will try to post some pictures soon as i find my camera

Thanks for the input. It looks like the Thule Hullaport post is also about roof rack selection.

Regarding pool noodles it sounds like a good temporary solution unless I have some nylon covers sewn up.

I'm going to REI today to look at Mako Saddles.

I didn't even consider mileage when looking at deck down vs up. I was hoping set up to run deck side down, but I was worried about damaging one of the attachments, etc on the deck when sliding it off and on.

Finally found my camera after 5 weeks
Here are the pictures of the pads I had made.
and a few extras

Nice! I like the custom paddle. Thanks for the pics, very helpful.

What material did you use for the padding on those pads? 3 years would be plenty of lieftime.

Also based on what you said earlier I am assuming that you have an SOT and are tranporting it deck down with no damage.

If I go the DIY direction I was going to a craft store to purchase some nylon, velcro strips and some elastic for sewing up the covers.

For the padding we used 1/4 closed cell foam (simular to hypolon) and covered with sunbrella (used for commercial canopy's) velcro is used to secure around the luggage rack.
I carry my Ocean Kayak Trident's (SOT) deck side down when I use this rack.
Hope this helps you.

Eric

Check the classifieds. KZ has, what I think you need, for $50-60.

Thanks. Just sent a PM regarding those landsharks...even new they are a much better deal than the Mako Saddles.

The Yakima mounts fit the crossbars on my rack perfectly.

I also priced out materials for a DIY pad. The nylon is $6.99 a yard and plenty wide enough for a 44" pad & noodles are $2 at Walmart right now.

I am assuming that the pool noodels will have about the same density as the 1/4 closed cell foam that you are describing Yakhopper.

Sweet job on the NCKA sticker cut-out, Yakhopper!