Rack Question

I am curious what kinds of car racks and locking methods are preferred among this group.
My wife went out and bought me a Yakima Hullraiser (Great Surprise!) rack for my vehicle. It's the kind where the yak sits on its edge. I had been thinking of buying a roller type system, since only 1 kayak will be carried at a time. I  am sure that the Hullraiser is a good choice, but I am just wondering about the pros and cons before I install it and can't return it. The only real con I could come up with is the extra height on my vehicle and how it would be more difficult to load a 14ft/60+lb kayak. The roller systems just seem to be a bit more logical. Also, I am wondering about a locking system. I travel a lot and stay in motel/hotels quite a bit. So I am worried about leaving my yak in the parking lot. What's the preferred method? Cable Lock (It's the only thing that I could think of that might work). The cable lock idea just doesn't seem secure enough (Sorry, I'm a city boy, nothing seems secure enough). I'm probably overthinking this, but I would appreciate any comments.

Have a good day,

Omar

Yes,

I would also be interested in what other's feel is the most secure system for locking up their Kayaks

Doug

I tossed around the possible options when I was about to get my Yakima rack, and decided that with a single yak I didn't need anything other than the padded bars.  I toss the kayak on upside down (per mfg recommendations), strap her down and I'm good to go.  I did splurge on the Yakima boat loader though, since my Toyota has a lift kit and getting my Outback on the roof is a bit of a challenge.  Glad I did, too...it helps a lot since I always load/unload by myself.  If I get a second yak (I should say when) I'll probably get the Hulivator, mako Saddles, or something similar.  The Outback is pretty fat so fitting two boats on the rack will be a challenge otherwise.

As far as security, someone in the group posted info about the Master Lock Python cable lock in a different post.  I picked on up and it works great; I run the cable through the hole my Mirage drive sits in, around the bar and cinch it tight.  The extra cable rests nicely out of the way between my cab and the shell.  Due to my storage situation I need to load the yak up the night before when I'm going out early, so the cable lock lets me sleep better.  That, and leaving the light on in the driveway...    Here's the lock: http://www.masterlock.com/promos/python/8413python_lock.shtml  You can find it at Lowes, and probably several other hardware stores.

Hope this helps.

Whether to use saddles and which ones to use also depends on your kayak.  With wider, heavier kayaks like the Big Game and Triple, I have found that saddles are no good as the weight is not evenly distributed and can cause warping (temporary in my case).  So I switched to just putting them upside down on my yakima bars.  I don't even use pads for this and haven't had problems.  With my Prowler 15 I don't have a problem with saddles.  When I had XFactors, I didn't have the problem either and they saddled up just fine on adjustable Thule saddles mounted on the Yakima bars.  I do have a slight problem with the rectangular Thule mounts turning on the round Yakima bars but it's not that bad.  I didn't like the way the XFactor sat on the Yakima Mako saddles I tried so I returned them.

-Allen

Thanks guys,  your info just saved me  some money. Knowing that cable locks are the way to go is a big relief as well.

 Omar

I have the hullraisers on my trailer so I can haul and store 4 kayaks on it. I have heard from others that the hullraisers on a vehicle create too much wind drag. Any substantial cross wind makes for a scary drive.
The problem I see with the rollers is that you need at least 16 feet behind your vehicle for them to be used. There have been plenty of parallel parking situations where this was not possible. Also if the straps securing your yak come loose at all the yak will easily slide off whereas it would not do so as easily with cradles.
For my truck I have the Yakima bars with the land shark saddles. I tried the Mako's and did not like them at all.
Inside of the Yakima bars I have easy loader bars. These extend about 3 feet or so. I can set my yak parallel with my truck, lift the front and set it on the extended bar, then lift the back and put it in the cradle, then move the front to the cradle. The bar slides back in and I am done. Just have to tie down the yak after that.
As far as a lock is concerned; I went to Home Depot and bought some coated cable and made my own. I made the ends narrow enough to easily go through the scupper holes and the cable is long enough to go under the bars. The advantage to this is you get the length you need for as many yaks as you have to lock. Add a padlock or combo lock and you are good to go.

Due to my storage situation I need to load the yak up the night before when I'm going out early, so the cable lock lets me sleep better.  That, and leaving the light on in the driveway...

I got the same boat and same situation. Good idea on the lock, I'll have to get one set up.

I prefer using a combination lock cause you don't have to worry about finding or loosing keys 

I use this - from REI: it fits through the scupper holes of my P15 easily.....

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=9320684&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&color=&img=/media/672408Lrg.jpg&view=large

I prefer using a combination lock cause you don't have to worry about finding or loosing keys 

We all have our own idiosyncrasies eh, I have a harder time remembering numbers.. too many freakin pin numbers and passwords in life nowadays!

Sports Authority (SportMart) has a similar cable lock made by Kryptonite, also 6'.  I use it to lock 2 boats together and around the crossbar and it works fine - plenty of length.  These are made so you can set (and change) the combo yourself.

I prefer using a combination lock cause you don't have to worry about finding or loosing keys 

We all have our own idiosyncrasies eh, I have a harder time remembering numbers.. too many freakin pin numbers and passwords in life nowadays!

There are only 4 numbers -and you can set the combination to your choice.