kickbasskid Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 So as my first summer as a college student approaches I think I am old enough to start finding my own means of getting off the bank and into the water. Now right now the two options I am looking at are either a SOT kayak or a Sea Eagle 8 Fisherman's Dream package. The car I will be using to transport either will be a 2005 Honda Civic 4 door. Keep in mind that the back seats do fold down to extend the trunk into the car. Would it be easier, and more cost efficient, to get the Sea Eagle? Or would I be fine with the kayak. For the moment a motor isn't going to be needed either as I would probably be rowing myself to get in some physical excercise. Let me know and if you have another alternative feel free to share! Quote
tnbassfisher Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 You could easily go with the kayak and get some sort of roof rack for your car. Quote
kickbasskid Posted January 9, 2014 Author Posted January 9, 2014 Yes I have looked into a nice thule set up but keep in mind that will cost me another extra 200+ dollars for the rack and kayak mounting system Quote
Super User tomustang Posted January 9, 2014 Super User Posted January 9, 2014 GIS has lots of references: https://www.google.com/search?q=honda+civic+kayak&num=50&client=firefox-a&hs=YZB&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=KU7OUsvhE-nRsATcnYGIDA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=844 Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 9, 2014 Super User Posted January 9, 2014 tons of people put the kayak on top with foam blocks. Also with that car you should be able to find a thule or yakima system for much cheaper on craigslist. I believe yakima uses the Q towers and clips and the clips are reasonable enough that if you jsut found the Q tower and bars getting the clips wouldn't be a huge added expense. I gad a buddy who used the foam blocks and while a PITA it worked until he bought his truck. Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted January 9, 2014 Super User Posted January 9, 2014 If your choice is between car topping a kayak or messing with an inflatable, go with the kayak. Go with the foam blocks to start - they work. Observe the 1st rule of car topping - i.e. don't do anything dumb. Back in the day, I had a 10' pond boat that I kept on a little trailer, because it hurt to lift it to the roof of my car. I would hold 2 people - not totally comfortably by adequately. Anyway I put a hitch on my 98 Ford Escort Wagon and pulled it anywhere I wanted. I could do unimproved gravel ramps. I was not confident enough to just launch off the side of a pond or something like that. You car will pull a smallish boat and a trailer. Back in the day I had a professor pal who pulled a 16' jon boat with a volkswagen and later pulled a 17' LOWE Bass boat with a late 70's model Chevy Impala. Quote
B@ssCrzy Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 Go with the kayak for sure. You can easily car top it, and you don't have to worry about set up and tear down every time you want to go. Quote
kickbasskid Posted January 9, 2014 Author Posted January 9, 2014 Does the setup of an inflatable take that much longer than untying and retying of a kayak? Also how hard are they to carry by yourself? I'm approximately 5'9" and 170 pounds. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 9, 2014 Super User Posted January 9, 2014 yes the set up of an inflatable will be more of a pain. You have to inflate and deflate and then you ale have to make sure when you get home you let it air out and dry so it doesn't get mildew. Once you are used to car topping and tying it down, it will take you longer to out your gear back in the car than it will to load up the boat. Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted January 9, 2014 Super User Posted January 9, 2014 Getting out on the water in a sedan? Why not? Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted January 10, 2014 Super User Posted January 10, 2014 kayak. have a toyota camry and had both an inflatable and a kayak. i had the inflatable first, then went to the kayak and never looked back. to date i still use the foam blocks and have no problem loading or unloading. you will not regret the kayak. not to mention IF you ever did, the resale value will be good versus trying to resale the inflatable..... Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 10, 2014 Super User Posted January 10, 2014 I vote kayak, too. You can find roof racks used. Yakima is pretty good, and much less pricey than Thule. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted January 10, 2014 Super User Posted January 10, 2014 Getting out on the water in a sedan? Why not? I was watching one of those shows where they buy and restore or flip antique cars. Someone was selling an Amphicar. The original owner has fabricated brackets mounted to the trunk to mount rod holders for trolling. Quote
basshead1 Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 I started with an inflatable and then a kayak too. I use the foam blocks when I rooftop on my Hyundai Sonata. I use 2 ratchet straps across and rope for the bow and stern and never had a problem doing 85. It did scratch up the roof a bit but it is just a Hundai.heh I have a trailer and a hitch now for my Bass Raider but I still cartop the kayak.. You can get a hitch online for cheap if you want to install it yourself which was an easy gig and I am not a car guy. Quote
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