Rear Ended with Kayak

After a good day of slowing fishing at SWN with @Etausend and friends for a few limits of lings and misc. rockfish, I was rear ended on my way home. I transport my 12.5ft. Moken in the bed of my pickup with a 6ft. bed and the kayak sticks out about 5 feet with a bright red flag on the end. On my way home a large dodge pickup pulled up behind me and was tailgating me sort of close while going 10mph+ over the speed limit through Petaluma until we got to a stop sign. There were a few cars at the stop sign and we waited until I was next to go at the sign, and right before I hit the gas I got a solid hit from behind. I turned around and said FUCK! out of instinct, and then pulled through the stop sign and pulled on to the shoulder. The Dodge pulled up behind me and asked my kayak was ok, to which I didnt yet have a response. I pulled off my ratchet straps and visually inspected my hull as good as I could to find no signs of damage. It looked like the front of the bed of my truck may have dented in a bit from the kayak being rammed into it, but I think there may have been a smaller dent there already. It took some control to not to yell at the guy. I only asked him what he was doing/ how he hit me, and he just said that he didnt see the flag (AKA DISTRACTED). We ended up not exchanging any info and after further inspection once I got home, I still didnt find any damage from the hit. This relatively harmless incident is getting me thinking of buying a roof rack, but one of the reasons I got a truck is to avoid loading a kayak on to a rack. Decisions decisions.

That's how I transport mine and I worry about the same thing happening. I would have gotten his info for sure. If you don't need it toss it in the trash. If you find a problem with a closer inspection you're covered. Hope everything is ok with it.

Sorry to hear you got hit, but glad to hear it sounds like no damage. I always worried about that same thing, that's why I wound up buying bed racks, I had a mountain bike get ht on the back of a car, and a composite 40% RC plane get shattered the same way. I think you'll find if you do go the roof rack route it's honestly as easy as sliding the boat in the bed, and then you have the entire bed for storage!

As a side note, next time something happens, at least get their info, phone number or something. You never know if damage could be hidden enough that it's not apparent at the time of the accident or until it's stressed.

I think you'll find if you do go the roof rack route it's honestly as easy as sliding the boat in the bed, and then you have the entire bed for storage!

I am wondering how getting it up onto a roof rack is just as easy as sliding it into the bed? Granted I have a heavy Outback but I just can't see it being just as easy. Not trying to be a dick, just curious as I could use the extra storage for camping trips.

That sucks lineside, I always worry about that going up 29 or Silverado trail. Glad everything seems OK. But I agree with other users, next time get the info just as a fail safe.

If you have the space, loading/unloading from the side makes it fairly easy. This guy shows the technique:

I have a bed extender and rest the kayak on that.  I'm betting that when the bow hit's their windshield, they'll hit the brakes.

Yeah, I hear you! I haven't used mu kayak since I got rid of my pickup and got a new RAV4.  Wayyyy easier to load on a pickup. The materials they use on some of these new cars is cheap! I put a ding the size of a 50cent-piece on the driver's side rear door of my RAV side-loading it (with a pad) and I will never side-load by myself again.
4 little pieces of rope on the PU and no draft and never had to worry about a scratch or it falling off/out or tying the front/back.  New Toy PU's actually cost more than the RAV's... but I will figure. I feel your pain... be happy with what you got (have)   

I think you'll find if you do go the roof rack route it's honestly as easy as sliding the boat in the bed, and then you have the entire bed for storage!

I am wondering how getting it up onto a roof rack is just as easy as sliding it into the bed? Granted I have a heavy Outback but I just can't see it being just as easy. Not trying to be a dick, just curious as I could use the extra storage for camping trips.

That sucks lineside, I always worry about that going up 29 or Silverado trail. Glad everything seems OK. But I agree with other users, next time get the info just as a fail safe.

I have the rear cradles that are felt covered. The boats slide up super easy, and then it's 2 quick straps and you're done. The bed rack never has to come off, and I don't have to worry about the things I load in the bed coming out (like the amas for my AI which I would have to strap in with a bed extender, now I just throw them in the bed), or the boat getting rear ended. I suppose it may not be easier for everyone, but it's certainly more easy and convenient for me, and my truck is tall. I thought it would be hard, and didn't get racks for a long time because of it.

I never back my truck down the ramp to the water, that may be a deal breaker if that's something you do. Also a short boat and a tall truck may be more difficult, the angle would be pretty steep.

I didn't read your reply as dick-ish, people are always asking how the hell I get my kayaks up there at the boat ramp.


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I think you'll find if you do go the roof rack route it's honestly as easy as sliding the boat in the bed, and then you have the entire bed for storage!

I am wondering how getting it up onto a roof rack is just as easy as sliding it into the bed? Granted I have a heavy Outback but I just can't see it being just as easy. Not trying to be a dick, just curious as I could use the extra storage for camping trips.

That sucks lineside, I always worry about that going up 29 or Silverado trail. Glad everything seems OK. But I agree with other users, next time get the info just as a fail safe.

In some cases maybe but sorry it's not the same too many variables involved.

Depends on the ht. of your vehicle, the size and weight of your kayak and your ht, age and comfort level in loading and unloading.

Last thing you want to do is injure yourself, someone else, damaging your vehicle or someone elses during this process.

I ended up eventually going with the Hullivators and would recommend them if you have trouble loading and unloading solo.

After a good day of slowing fishing at SWN with @Etausend and friends for a few limits of lings and misc. rockfish, I was rear ended on my way home. I transport my 12.5ft. Moken in the bed of my pickup with a 6ft. bed and the kayak sticks out about 5 feet with a bright red flag on the end. On my way home a large dodge pickup pulled up behind me and was tailgating me sort of close while going 10mph+ over the speed limit through Petaluma until we got to a stop sign. There were a few cars at the stop sign and we waited until I was next to go at the sign, and right before I hit the gas I got a solid hit from behind. I turned around and said FUCK! out of instinct, and then pulled through the stop sign and pulled on to the shoulder. The Dodge pulled up behind me and asked my kayak was ok, to which I didnt yet have a response. I pulled off my ratchet straps and visually inspected my hull as good as I could to find no signs of damage. It looked like the front of the bed of my truck may have dented in a bit from the kayak being rammed into it, but I think there may have been a smaller dent there already. It took some control to not to yell at the guy. I only asked him what he was doing/ how he hit me, and he just said that he didnt see the flag (AKA DISTRACTED). We ended up not exchanging any info and after further inspection once I got home, I still didnt find any damage from the hit. This relatively harmless incident is getting me thinking of buying a roof rack, but one of the reasons I got a truck is to avoid loading a kayak on to a rack. Decisions decisions.

Gabe,  so sorry to hear this.  Shitty end to an otherwise great day.  At least it sounds (fingers crossed) like the damage wasn't meaningful, but still a bummer obviously.  ET


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Skidplate got hit hard down here back in July of 2014 bye a distracted driver who was likely arguing with her boyfriend/husband that was in the back seat due to the arguments ..... likely saved the dudes life.

Skidplate got hit hard down here back in July of 2014 bye a distracted driver who was likely arguing with her boyfriend/husband that was in the back seat due to the arguments ..... likely dazed the dudes life.

Is that hole in the windshield from the bow or stern of a yak?

Skidplate got hit hard down here back in July of 2014 bye a distracted driver who was likely arguing with her boyfriend/husband that was in the back seat due to the arguments ..... likely dazed the dudes life.

From the looks of it he was lucky to be in the back seat.

I believe that's the stern looking at the bottom of the hole, his words were the kayak looked like the landlord bit it.

Rubber floor mats worked good. All the piss drained out.