Is it better to have kayak upright, inverted or sidewise on roof?

I just ordered a new SOT kayak. Now I need to figured out how to transport it with my SUV. Seems like micro trailer is the best, but too pricey right now. So I'm planning to go with roof rack. However, I'm uncertain about whether I should mount it upright, inverted or sideways on the factory roof rails. So I wanted to share my thinking and solicit some opinion from folks here who have more experience with this.

Key considerations for me are stability, aerodynamics/milage, easy of loading, ability to open rear hatch and cost.

I think stability is similar in all options as long as I use 2 good straps and a bow and stern lines.

Regarding aerodynamics, I think all options suck. I initially thought that inverted would provide better aerodynamics because the keel on top would be more smooth for wind over the top and reduced frontal cross section (kayak would also be mounted closer to the roof with a minimal foam pad on the rails). However, after more thought, an upright kayak might help allow the air traveling up the hood/windshield to pass under the keel that might get caught by an inverted kayak. So I'm not sure which is best here.

Regarding loading, I think upright is easiest since there are many rail mounts that allow the kayak to automatically center and slide easily (rollers).

Regarding opening rear hatch, all options suck. Maybe sideways is best due to taper of kayak at stern.

Regarding cost, inverted is lowest if use inexpensive padding on rails vs a fancy attachment on rails.

I'm leaning toward going inverted with inexpensive rail pads and good straps. Or other option is upright with Yakima hully rollers and Mako aero saddles.

What do you think?

John

Sounds like you did a good job with your reasoning.

My experience is best inverted, but not knowing what your SUV looks like, I'll note that when inverted the bow and stern of the yak hang down moer than you might think as evidenced by the crease in my roof where the bow was resting as I tightened the straps first time I put it up there. Also I on my SUV the rear window swung up and the gate went down.  The stern really limited how far up the window would go. 

For that SUV I went with some Yakima bars attached to the OEM roof rack which raised the yak up enough to give the bow/roof enough clearance, and the rear window came up a bit more.

Then I got a truck with a rack.

Upside down works best for me and my trident 13. Have tried vertical (stacker) and various saddles, but those orientations caused oil-canning.

Matt

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I decided to go upside down with thule straps and pads over the roof rails.

I'm also thinking about getting the Yakima DryDock Hitch Mount T-Mast, which would be more secure than using only the 2 roof rails. This would allow the kayak to be mounted farther back so that it does not overhang the windshield so much (improving aerodynamics) and stability (straps farther apart).

The new 2013 version of the T-Mast also tilts down, which would allow opening the rear hatch. But I'm not sure this really helps much, since you can't tilt it down with the kayak still attached.

Anyone on the forum have experience with the new tilting Yakima DryDock?

 

It fits pretty good, inverted on the roof. Here is a picture.

-John

I used to load on my lumber rack.  Loved it.  Then got a honda pilot and bought the cradles for 2 yaks.  After spending way too much money, if I had to do it again, I would just buy longer bars, something on the ends to keep them from coming off, and just strap them down like I did on the truck.

My factory roof rails are only 3 feet apart. So my 14' kayak extend 5.5' beyond the rails in front and back.  With the bow and stern tie-downs, I'm not too worried about it going anywhere.  But the biggest issue I have with this setup is hoisting the whole kayak over my head to load and unload it if I am by myself.

So I'm working on constructing a DIY support that fits into the rear hitch receiver, similar to the Yakima DryDock. This will provide a third tie-down bar and I'm hoping that it will also help with loading. My design will allow for the rear bar to spin, once unlatched. So I should be able to load the kayak more easily because I should only need to pick up one half if the kayak at a time.  I'll post some pictures here when I'm done.

Looks great, what kayak is that? With a little practice, you'll probably get used to hoisting it onto the roof in no time, without an assist, but post up the pics if you make something. I'd be interested in seeing it.

Looks great, what kayak is that? With a little practice, you'll probably get used to hoisting it onto the roof in no time, without an assist, but post up the pics if you make something. I'd be interested in seeing it.

thats a carribean..they're <50lbs.

I purchased a used Outback today and mounted it inverted on top of my factory tacoma roof rack. I don't know why, but it sounded like I had a jet turbine while driving on the freeway. I never had this issue with my Revo mounted inverted. Wind noise definitely is an issue. I guess since it is wider kayak?

So I guess whatever works or easier for you. I load my yaks both inverted and upright depending on which truck I bring.  The Hully roller in combination of Mako saddles works great especially on camper shells. I have a friend who only loads his yak upright on top of Yakima round bars with some noodle padding. I myself is not comfortable doing that unless supported by saddles, but to each their own.

Herb

Tony, your Raptor looks bigger than your car.

  I didn't even notice that Herb. I'm sure it's the angle of the pic

Love the idea of those Raptors and might purchase one next year. I would definitely trailer it on Hully Rollers or 2-3" PVC tubes. Not willing to put a sail on top of my high-profile Honda Element. I cross the Benecia and Carquinez bridges frequently. Just MHO.

If you put a couple of twists in the "open" (the part of a tie down strap not against something) eliminates a lot of wind noise. 2¢

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       I think it might be better to have the Raptor  flat ( upright ) on the rack, with the other kayak  strapped on top of the Raptor  ( upside down )     
      You could fabricate a cradle to hold the other kayak.       I'll try to shoot a photo of something I made for stacking.   

     Flat, seems to provide very little drag with just one kayak on  the rack.   I just hauled my kayak all the way to So Cal and back.    Was very surprised to find  I got 29 mpg  both ways  with it strapped on top of my Mazda.      Heading back north was into a strong headwind.
  Jim