Loading the yak onto the top of the vehicle

So, Ive been hauling the yak in the bed for 3 yrs now. Just got a Yakima bed rack. Got it all installed and loaded the yak up on top. OMG, that damn thing is heavy and awkward. Did it in the concrete driveway, hull slid out and made it difficult, I have shoulder injuries which make me weak on overhead lifting, etc, so I was sliding it up from the rear. Im guessing that a rubber mat or carpet MAY make it easier on the sliding on the concrete issue. I also am going cheap first and just have pool noodles over the bars, no special rollers or saddles.

So, the question is what process or routine do you guys use for getting the yak up there.

two blown discs in my back and both shoulders deteriorating so the yakima boat loader is a must for me, dont know if it works for the bed racks, but you could probably mock something up, cameron

two blown discs in my back and both shoulders deteriorating so the yakima boat loader is a must for me, dont know if it works for the bed racks, but you could probably mock something up, cameron

This.
Bad back and a few shoulder surgeries; I just spent the $$ on the Thule Hullavator. WELL worth the $$.
Hoping to win one for the other side at Albion. 

I think I've got a pretty similar setup and method.

I put the bow up first on the rear bar, and then pick up the rear and slide it on.

I always use a rubber mat on hard surface to keep the sliding to a minimum.  If I'm really worried about a slideout, I attach a line from the back end of the yak to the trailer hitch (or bumper) so it can't slide back.

The days of lifting the entire yak off the ground any more than waist high are over for me.

As for noodles over the bars I've found they really aren't tuff enough for that service and don't use 'em anymore.

I wrapped the noodles with 10mil pipe insulation tape. We will see if they hold up. Makes the noodle black as well.

I wrapped the noodles with 10mil pipe insulation tape. We will see if they hold up. Makes the noodle black as well.

Now that has possibilities, Thanks for the idea.  I use a 1/2" thick fairly soft rubber mat and almost never need anything else, it really stops the sliding.

tried it again. Put tailgate up, put nose on top of gate. squatted down under yak and lifted with my legs-pretty low may not work all the time. Got it up there that way. With the rope idea in my head I thot it may work to have a tie down that was at a preset length to fasten to the front cross bar of the rack, over the top of the rear cross bar, and then back to the front of the yak. This way the yak cant slip off and hit the ground. Will try that next.

I've had similar problems loading my Magic 14.5' atop my FJ.  Seems like the saddles work to cradle it and prevent slipping, to a certain extent.  I open the back door, put the front of the boat into the saddles, then grad the rear cord and slide the kayak forward in the saddles.   Really beats side loading, but is still a semi-difficult task.  Maybe adding saddles would help you.

  The front rack on my  car sticks out enough that I can  rest the bow of the kayak on the bar, then lift the back end of the kayak onto the rear rack...     very easy to do that way.     Maybe try making a temporary extension  bar out of wood or ???

 

may try out a boat loader-the extendable arm.

 I used the set-up I have to haul a yak back on a 2 hr freeway drive. Loaded easy with help. Stayed tight with the pool noodles wrapped in tape. Just right so far. Next will be to load em up on my own again with the rubber mat to stop the slipping.

I just put my yak in the bed, then push down on the stern until the bow is over the front crossbar, and slide it forward. Then hop in the bed and slide it further forward until the stern can rest on the rear crossbar. Then flip it over & strap it down. No overhead lifting and it's super easy after a long day OTW.

NICE!!!!! I will try that on Fri morn as I load for the weekend trip.

I'm waiting for Raydon to chime in here he's got the best system I've ever seen or heard of.

Crossbar extention: 1/2 " galvanized pipe 5' long with base (has holes for wood screws, and is about 3" wide) screwed on outboard end, the end wrapped in old towel taped on, slides into Yakima crossbar - and I have a thin rope tied to the base that I tie to the upright to keep the pipe from sliding clear out. Lift bow up, pull ext. out under yak, lever yak up from stern and walk it over to the saddles.  Don't drive with the pipe in crossbar, or if you do, tie it on real well. 
   I've seen several methods used to slide yak up the back of a sedan, including using an old throw rug and also a specially made plywood slide with raised edges,  and some way to secure it to the rack or the trunk seam.

My way is kind of unique. I pick up the kayak over my head then I out it on top of the car.

Just kidding, I use a Yakima extendo-bar-o-matic and it makes a huge difference in loading the AI. For my baby revo11 I do just pick it up throw it on there.