Any tips on which rack mount for kayak I should buy?

Bought an used 2007 VW Passat Wagen and it comes with Yakima rack. I am trying to figure which one should I buy.

Thule Hull-a-port - Nice & save space but may be hard to load
Hully Rollers with Mako Saddles - Easy to load but eat up the space. May be no room for cargo box.
Bowdown - Is it suitable for OK Prowler 15?

Oh man, there are soo many different products. I need your feedback, thanks.

Just put your kayak upside down on the rack. No need for mounts.

Umm, nice way to save $$. Guess all I need are the pads.

If you wanna save more money just split a pool noodle down the middle and place it over the bar. 

Just use pipe insulation and throw them up there upside down.  It's better for the hull that way too.

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Just put your kayak upside down on the rack. No need for mounts.

+1 for sure!  Like a beginning fool, I went way over the top with Hulleyrollers & Mako Saddles along with the Hullraiser Aero in order to fit 2 yaks on my factory Explorer rack.  I quickly learned that I should have just purchased the bars and flipped the yaks upside down.

Lee, that's what I thought. I have been searched for a bigger (1 1/2") pipe insulation for my lumber rack last month but no luck so far. How can I forget for my VW passat. There are plenty at Lowe's or home depot for that smaller diameter of rack!!

Yeah, sometimes I think something bigger & expensive and I forgot something simple and cheaper!! That's why I am counting on you all buddies!!

Dont get the Hulla port. The graphite frame breaks in a strong crosswind. I use use the rollers and saddle and like it.  You should have enough room for a box. Some people say the rollers dent the kayak but I have never had that problem. You can also use two saddles and make a PVC over the bar as a roller. The saddles have some play and you should use at least a bow line.

Always use bow and stern lines!  We recently had a NWKA member remind us why.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=7552.0

Always use bow and stern lines!  We recently had a NWKA member remind us why.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=7552.0

Great point, a lot of guys I fish with don't use them.  They drive long distances at high speeds.  I always use mine even if its only a 10 minute drive.

I was hauling my p15 on my honda accord bow up with just mako saddles. Easy to slide it on, rather than lift it up on the racks. I bought the mako's on ebay and saved some $$$
FYI,.....A-K

I have a Toyota Corolla and have both the wife's and my kayak to haul. The only way to haul two flat was to buy bars that I would always have to duck under to get in the car...not happening. Only a matter of time before I go down swearing.
I haul em with the Yakima big stack and I love it because I can fold them flat and still haul the canoe upside down with the gunnel pads which I leave up there to keep the kayaks upright while I tie them down.
I do have bow and stern straps as well.  Of course this is a T11 and a Tarpon 100 which makes them easy to load up.

2 Outbacks and Yakima hooks.   also strapped.

 

I have a 2011 Fusion as my daily driver, before I saw the above photo I didn't think it was *possible* to carry even *one* kayak on the roof, much less two Outbacks.  Holy moly!

Dumb question time:  Is the entire rack from Yakima?  How does it attach, a Fusion lacks roof rails, etc.?  Does it harm the roof?  Is it through bolted?  On a windy day do you feel it?

I just put a trailer hitch on my Fusion but I have not hacked into the electrical system yet for the lights.

Joe

Wow!! I wouldn't want to go thru something like that. I looked under my car on both front and back ends. There is nothing for me to tie the strap. Oh boy!