Economy cars that can haul a yak

Not sure what you mean by oil canning, but they do seem to leave streaks... I wanted to mount another pair on the back of my trunk, so I can be as lazy as possible when tossing the yack up

Al, careful with those rollers, I've heard they can cause - hope I have the term correct - oil canning.  Especially with that OK stacked on top like it is in your first picture.

I have some too and now regret buying them as I just stack the yak upside down on the top of my Explorer's factory installed racks.  Don't want to get rid of them just yet as I know that when I do, I'll need them.

Michael

I pulled the Hully rollers off my car for that exact reason. They caused huge dents in the kayaks, especially in hot weather, since all the pressure is on such a small area. I replaced them with Mako saddles, and it is actually EASIER to slide the kayak up on the rear saddles than it is to use the rollers. IMO, the rollers have no advantage at all. I have a pair just sitting in my garage if anybody actually likes them. I'll never use them again.

Well, I think that can happen either way.  I have dents in each spot where the saddles and the wheels meet the kayak, from when I let a friend borrow the yak.  He left it wrenched down all weekend, and didn't even put it in the water.  One day in the sun upside down has popped most of it out, waiting for a hotter day that I am home (not fishing) to see if the others will pop out.  But after that, I have been making sure that when I am parked, I loosen both straps, and give a lift on the yak to be sure its resting, not pressured, on both of them.  Actually, the saddles did more damage, since they cover a wider area.

I just bought Thule racks for my '93 Toyota Tercel 2-door. I get 35 mpg with my 'yak on it. It's small though, packing for camping is tuff. I keep my Tacoma for that.

I have an '07 Honda Civic with Yakima rails and their Hullraiser J-racks.  The rack alone is a little noisy when driving down the freeway, not a whistle but a loud blowing sound. Loading my X-13 onto the racks is simple and the is adaquete padding for the hull and sidewalls.  When strapped down I noticed a little flex on the yak, however when I took it off after the hour ride home it was good as new. I've never had to have it up for more than an hour since I've only had it three days. So far so good. My kayak is just as long as my car and it's no worries. it doesn't even shimmy at 65mph.  My gas mileage suffered a little when it was on the racks but nothing crazy. Might mean an extra stop at the pump if I was going to San Diego.

Well, I think that can happen either way.  I have dents in each spot where the saddles and the wheels meet the kayak, from when I let a friend borrow the yak.  He left it wrenched down all weekend, and didn't even put it in the water.  One day in the sun upside down has popped most of it out, waiting for a hotter day that I am home (not fishing) to see if the others will pop out.  But after that, I have been making sure that when I am parked, I loosen both straps, and give a lift on the yak to be sure its resting, not pressured, on both of them.  Actually, the saddles did more damage, since they cover a wider area.

I found that the rollers made much deeper dents.

Real life 2005 Toyota Prius mileage:  45+ MPG bare, on the highway.

Loaded with 2 yaks (OK Trident & a SIK): 30-35 MPG

Speed is a much bigger determinant in MPG with the yaks on top. Going to Lake Shasta last summer at 70+MPH we got around 30. Camping trip to Lake Alpine at slower speeds averaged higher. Camping gear plus kayak gear fit fine with my wife and me. Not big enough for a family, tho.

I've got a Yakima rack with the Mako saddles, had no troubles. For solo loading from beside the car, I lift the bow of the yak onto the front rack and the side of the roof. Then lift the stern trying not to slide the hull across the paint. It mostly works, but I get a few scratches.

I was concerned about carrying yaks on the Prius before I got mine, then talked to somebody over at Aquan who routinely carries 4 kayaks on his Prius!

When the wind picks up, I get a bit nervous with those big sails up there. I slow down to around 60 when a big cross wind is blowing. Then it feels OK. It's got plenty of power to get up the hills with the full load I described. Not super-fast, but not a slow-poke either. 

- andy

Real life 2005 Toyota Prius mileage:  45+ MPG bare, on the highway.

I was concerned about carrying yaks on the Prius before I got mine, then talked to somebody over at Aquan who routinely carries 4 kayaks on his Prius!

- andy

On my 04 prius, I've gotten 48 the most bare driving under 70 but on avg, about 43-45. Just so people know, the 55MPG they claim is complete BS in the real world.

I have been thinking of hauling my tarpon 120 on mine but been concerned about driving performance so your info is good to know. Thanks.

James

I've got a Yakima rack with the Mako saddles, had no troubles. For solo loading from beside the car, I lift the bow of the yak onto the front rack and the side of the roof. Then lift the stern trying not to slide the hull across the paint. It mostly works, but I get a few scratches.

 

- andy

If you want to avoid scratching the car's paint, get a rubber backed piece of carpet. I got one from OSH. I place it on the roof of the car, just behind the rear Mako saddle. I set the bow of the boat in the rear saddle, with the boat resting on the carpet. It's then easy to grab the stern of the boat and slide it up onto both saddles. It completely avoids scratching the paint and is easy to do. The rubber backing prevents the carpet from sliding when you push the kayak across it.

...rubber backed piece of carpet...

Cool! Thanks!

I haul my Hobie outfitter on a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid.  Honda stopped making the Accord Hybrid and it's really more of a performance hybrid than a gas saver but I generally still get about 29 to 30 MPH with or without the yak on top.  I use a Yakima rack with Mako saddles on the front and hully rollers on the back.  The low height of the car makes loading and unloading really easy.  That's nothing like Prius or Civic hybrid mileage but the car is much more comfortable on a long trip and 30 MPH beats the 15 MPH I get with my Landcruiser.

Martin

...a rubber backed carpet. Doh! Why didn't I think of that?
Thanks for the idea.

  My fishin buddy (PB'er) just picked up a 95 Jetta TDI.  45mpg but he brews his own biodiesel, so, he'll be running that in it.  While on our way to Clear lake a few  weeks back I asked him about his cost per gallon of his bio, he mentioned its about $2/gal +/-

  I know of another guy (from HAM redio) that purchased a Jetta TDI already set up to to run on WVO and he is. At about $.18/gal!  Car cost him $20k though.

  My 02 Dodge CTD (Cummins Turbo Diesel) averages around 18 to 19 mpg.  I can squeeze as much as 22mpg on long highway trips.  Not completly terrible for a 7500lb vehicle, but the $95 1/2 tank fill up every week is starting to kill me!

but the $95 1/2 tank fill up every week is starting to kill me!

Holly CRAP!! Where's the "kicking me in the balls" emoticon?

Z

but the $95 1/2 tank fill up every week is starting to kill me!

Holly CRAP!! Where's the "kicking me in the balls" emoticon?

Z

This do it for ya?