Put A Kayak On Top Of Your Car With No Roof Rack?

[CYP]

Is there such a way to do this?  I have no roof rack,  a very small commuter car (Honda Insight) I really want a kayak but I have no idea how to get this thing on the roof of my very small car.  It is very similar to a prius. Any thoughts?

[B@ssCrzy]

It is possible.  Probably not the easiest thing to do, but if it will get you on the water go for it.  They sell foam blocks that the yak can sit on and then straps that go into the car doors.  Attached is a link....hopefully it does not get blocked....

 

  http://www.amazon.com/Malone-Standard-Block-Universal-Carrier/dp/B000SXQCVA

[Felix77]

Absolutely ... I use this for my yak.

 

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11492935

 

On long trips I add a ratchet strap around the middle of the yak just to make me feel better.

 

... and by long I mean trips of over 30 minutes including highway.  I just took my yak to Ocean City, MD  (6 hours one way) and this held up extremely well!

[CYP]

Thanks guys!  It makes me nervous but I am completely tired of bank fishing

[Felix77]

Thanks guys!  It makes me nervous but I am completely tired of bank fishing

 

Trust me it will NOT be an issue.  I wouldn't put my investment of a Ride 115x in jeopardy if I didn't think it would hold.  Before the Ride 115x I owned a Radisson Canoe and that baby was on these things too.  They are definitely strong and hold up.

[200racing]

my brother in law tried to use these on his mazda hatchback. i guess it did ok. where his plan went wrong was he got a kayak that weighs almost 90lbs. he couldnt get it on there without scratching his car. it dented the top of his car a little. he ended up getting a hitch and harbor freight trailer.

[HeavyDluxe]

Big thing about cartopping without racks (which is what I, like you, do):  Make sure that the straps are 'straight' across the body of the kayak when you cinch them down.  If they're 'angled', they can work down and that puts slack in the straps.

 

When you've cinched it down, go the front and wiggle the boat.  You can't eliminate all the side-to-side play, but you can get close. The key is to make sure the *front-to-back* play is out.  Again, if the boat shifts forward/back it can put slack in the straps and things can start to move.

 

Final thing... I use three straps - one each ahead of, and behind, the widest part of the boat.  Then a final 'belly strap' across the widest part.  Probably overkill, but - like you - I don't want a problem.

 

Note:  I've had absolutely *zero* problems hauling my kayak anywhere.  Through lack of care, I have scratch the top of my beater car a bit, but who cares?  However, the boat has never been at risk.    Don't let yourself be too worried about it.

[GADawgs]

I used one similar to Felix for 2 trips to the lake then I bought a roof rack made by Rola for my Honda civic and I am much happier. When the kayak was on the roof and strapped down it would make a flat spot on the roof and would still move a little bit once I got over 40 mph. The roof rack was about $225 and I feel very confident with the yak on it and would never go back. My suggestion would be to protect your car and the yak and spend another $150 to get a roof rack and make it more secure.

[Scott F]

Be careful when you tighten the straps to hold your kayak down. If you tighten them too much, you can distort the shape of the hull, possibly permanently.

[Jrob78]

They also make some inflatable air bladder supports.  I have a buddy who used them for a couple of years, worked great.  They did end up denting the roof of his car though.

 

These

http://www.amazon.com/Malone-HandiRack-Inflatable-Universal-Luggage/dp/B001F5AHKC/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1402370727&sr=1-1&keywords=inflatable+kayak+carrier

[ClackerBuzz]

i've used all kinds of racks and finally spent the $250 for a yakima. i did find a nice middle ground which hauled my kayaks and canoes with total security (i liked it 100xs better than the foam blocks).  i bought a generic adjustable bar roof rack. but i didn't totally trust it so i'd open all four car doors and run ratchet tie downs over the kayak and thru the interior of the car.  it was totally secure and the roof wouldn't dent b/c the rack feet were in the proper place. $45 for the rack plus $15 for tie downs.

http://www.cyclingdealusa.com/Universal-Car-Top-Roof-Cross-Bar-Crossbar-Adjustab-p/cb-602.htm

 

[Mike2841]

I use foam blocks, although I wish I had a roof rack

[RipSomeLips]

If you want to do it on the cheap, one suggestion I have heard is to get foam pool noodles and run the straps through them to hold them snug to the kayak. I have never done this but read a few people who where very happy with this route.

[mebisho]

There are universal roof racks that you can get for about $50, See walmart.com. You put them on by straps that you tighten with open doors and then you close the doors. they have rubber feet that are on your roof. I got this for my canoe and they work great. I have a Hyundai Accent and they work very well

[flyfisher]

 All these options work but as you can see, you will eventually scratch or dent the roof of your car.  I would save up and get a yakima or Thule rack system and be done with it all.  You won't have anything to worry about going down the road. 

[Mr_Scrogg]

Besides, cars with Yakima bars look badass!

I had a Yakima on my Subie. Loved it!

[michang5]

I bought a new-to-me Mariner Propel 12.5 kayak 10 days ago. I took it out twice this past weekend.

In between I got Whispbars installed on my Prius. Quite pricey, but I wanted to preserve the quiet ride of the car, along with the gas mileage.

I did cheap out a bit and get the nylon-covered foam wraps for the bars instead of the saddles. Partly it was for ease of removal, thus maintaining quiet and mileage again.

Just about as important as getting rack and wraps was figuring out a load assist. The Mariner is ~80 pounds and has an odd hull shape. Equally difficult to manage is the back half of a Prius. I found several options at Austin Canoe and Kayak and Amazon, but either they were too expensive, flimsy or were rated for lighter yaks.

So I found several DIY solutions via Google and YouTube that I ultimately combined into a "perfect solution" for me. Price tag = $30. The attached pictures show the loading position; I flip it around (so the "kickstand" points down) for unloading.

So very happy with this creation.

[flyfisher]

dang, i have been looking for a used mariner propel for a while now......sorry to derail lol

[BassAssassin726]

I bought a kit from Dicks. It's basically 2 foam blocks that you sit the kayak on so it doesnt scratch your roof. The open the doors, strap it up, close doors, and tie it down to the hood and trunk and youre ready to go. I transport mine on my 06 Mazda 3 no problems.

[flyfisher]

I am not a fan of running the straps through the car then shutting the door on the strap for a few reasons.  One, you generally are adding additional wear on the door seals in the same spot every time you load the kayak, two yo hare slamming the door on the strap itself causing more wear.  I know it works and people do it but if it was me, I would just open the window and run them through that way if i had no other choice, but in al reality i would be getting a rack lol

[Felix77]

I originally posted about the $99 rack setup which worked well for my Radisson Canoe.  It held up well with my Ride 115x but after time I began scratching the hell out of my roof.  I just bit the bullet and invested in a Thule setup with an outrigger arm.  Expensive ... YES but putting it up is much easier and no more scratches.

[Mike2841]

I am not a fan of running the straps through the car then shutting the door on the strap for a few reasons. One, you generally are adding additional wear on the door seals in the same spot every time you load the kayak, two yo hare slamming the door on the strap itself causing more wear. I know it works and people do it but if it was me, I would just open the window and run them through that way if i had no other choice, but in al reality i would be getting a rack lol

How would you open your doors if you ran it through the windows? You can't, I did that when I first got my kayak. For now I use the foam blocks and they're pretty solid, not to worried about scratching my 98 corolla, but I'll be getting a rack for next season.

[flyfisher]

I just got in and had the strap in the middle on the inside of the vehicle. And for the rear, I just reached back and did the same thing

[200racing]

How would you open your doors if you ran it through the windows? You can't, I did that when I first got my kayak. For now I use the foam blocks and they're pretty solid, not to worried about scratching my 98 corolla, but I'll be getting a rack for next season.

 

[Mike2841]

Smart, I was flipping out when I couldn't get in my car, I just wanted to go fishing.