The Elusive Yak has been Caught!

Yes it does have a factory racks (cross bar), do I have to adjust it or leave it like that, Let me know Thanks

If they are in nrmal working order, the factory racks should be fine.  Like Dilbeck, i used to haul two large yaks on our older explorer factory rack with no problems.  I'd also rec'd you get the Thule Hullaport if possible.  Makes life a lot easier, especially if you're vertically challenged (like me) hahaha.

Darius, does your Expedition have factory racks?  If so, that should be more than sufficient.  I've got a 2000 Ford Explorer with factory racks and that is ALL I use, or need, to transport my Hobie Adventure.  I just turn the yak upside down and strap it down.  

Yes it does have a factory racks (cross bar), do I have to adjust it or leave it like that, Let me know Thanks

If yours are like mine, then they can slide along the track.  I have one rack as far forward as possible and the other as far back as possible.  Remember, I've got an Explorer, so mine, even when spread out as far as possible, aren't that far apart.  It will just take a little playing around with to find the right width between crossbars.  I'd go out and adjust them just for $hits and grins to make sure that it can be done, although I'm almost 100% positive it can.

Michael

I'd also rec'd you get the Thule Hullaport if possible.  Makes life a lot easier, especially if you're vertically challenged (like me) hahaha.

Martin, do you mean the Thule Hullavator?  Maybe I'm just a moron (please don't answer this) but I don't see how the Hullaport will help short people.

Michael

martin uses a hull a port.  hullavator would be great but very $$$.

a hull a port could help a little if you know how to load it right. but factory racks are just about as easy.

If they are in nrmal working order, the factory racks should be fine.  Like Dilbeck, i used to haul two large yaks on our older explorer factory rack with no problems.  I'd also rec'd you get the Thule Hullaport if possible.  Makes life a lot easier, especially if you're vertically challenged (like me) hahaha.

vertically challenged lol   thats the other way of saying "small" I hate when people says "short"   it applies to many things     and makes you feel "inferior" I am an average flips, height wise ok  

If yours are like mine, then they can slide along the track.  I have one rack as far forward as possible and the other as far back as possible.  Remember, I've got an Explorer, so mine, even when spread out as far as possible, aren't that far apart.  It will just take a little playing around with to find the right width between crossbars.  I'd go out and adjust them just for $hits and grins to make sure that it can be done, although I'm almost 100% positive it can.

Michael

Another savings for me you guys are great! Here I am so stress out finding a racks not knowing I could actually use the one I already have..  

vertically challenged lol  thats the other way of saying "small" I hate when people says "short"  it applies to many things (well if your have dirty mind you know what I mean)    and makes you feel "inferior" I am an average flips, height wise ok  

TMI! 

Another savings for me you guys are great! Here I am so stress out finding a racks not knowing I could actually use the one I already have.. 

That is what we are here for. 

Michael

Michael I apologized for the TMI part, Thanks for all the help bro!!

Martin, do you mean the Thule Hullavator?  Maybe I'm just a moron (please don't answer this) but I don't see how the Hullaport will help short people.

For me, the hullaport helps b/c i don't have to reach over my car to the middle of the rack to square away my boat.  I just pop the gunwale onto the lip of the "J", then military press it into an upright position.  So the weight of the boat is always pretty near my center of gravity.  It just feels easier than squaring away the boat into the middle of the rack by reaching all the way over the car away from COG.  I don't want to compare apples v. oranges, by referencing the A3 v. an SUV.  But it just seems easier with "J" for me.

hullavator would be great...

OMG, can you imagine putting a Hullavator on my A3???!!!  I might not be tall, but i'm not a midgetl!  .  Maybe I'll install one just for laughs.  My car is so low as it is, with a Hullavator, instead of military pressing the boat into position, I could probably curl it up there!!!

Sorry for the tangent, Darius.  You were saying...?   

Nothin its just a comment I made from earlier about the Small v Short how it applies to Human Anatomy, I hope I didn't start a pun, I don't mean to start a stir since I am having so much fun here!! You guys are awesome help more than I can possibly ask for 

Martin, do you mean the Thule Hullavator?  Maybe I'm just a moron (please don't answer this) but I don't see how the Hullaport will help short people.

For me, the hullaport helps b/c i don't have to reach over my car to the middle of the rack to square away my boat.  I just pop the gunwale onto the lip of the "J", then military press it into an upright position.  So the weight of the boat is always pretty near my center of gravity.  It just feels easier than squaring away the boat into the middle of the rack by reaching all the way over the car away from COG.  I don't want to compare apples v. oranges, by referencing the A3 v. an SUV.  But it just seems easier with "J" for me.

OK, I could see that, it makes sense.  

I take my adventure, I guess in a military press, standing next to my car on the drivers side and place it on the edge of rack and then slide it onto the rack to finish it off.

hullavator would be great...

OMG, can you imagine putting a Hullavator on my A3???!!!  I might not be tall, but i'm not a midgetl!  .

  Yeah, I forgot you had the Audi.

Michael

OK, I could see that, it makes sense.  

I take my adventure, I guess in a military press, standing next to my car on the drivers side and place it on the edge of rack and then slide it onto the rack to finish it off.

  Yeah, I forgot you had the Audi.

Michael

I am 5'7" will I be OK? I am thinking of the Hullavator but they are too pricey can't thank you guys enough!!

I take my adventure, I guess in a military press, standing next to my car on the drivers side and place it on the edge of rack and then slide it onto the rack to finish it off.

I hear ya.  I'd did the ole' set and slide on the factory rack.  Then I got the Thule Saddles, which required me to drop the boat in place, and thats when it got tricky for me.

I am 5'7" will I be OK?

The hullavator is beaucoup $$$, and since you need to get your boat squared away, i'd spend the money there first.

don't forget it is a lot more difficult to load a kayak after a long day of PADDLING - so taking advice from dilbeck and yakuza is a lot different from those of us who are not cheating =)