Rate my kayaking setup

[Boomstick]

1 hour ago, flyfisher said:

i use a yakima ski rack for my rods and it works great and the rods aren't banging around into each other in a tube.  

Oh that's pretty sweet! I might have to consider something like that but I would need a bit more width in the middle.

I have used a Flambeau Bazuka Pro to date to transport rods in the back of my truck with no issues. To be completely honest, I could probably mount that.

 

I just ordered a Yakima Rack and Roll 78". The final selling point was that I'll be able to fold it up and store it on my porch (if my dad doesn't let me use his garage) for the winter.

 

It's from a vendor I purchased a Black Pak from and at arrived in two or three business days, so it should be here for next week. From what I gather, they are also super quick to assemble as well but I still have to get it registered.

 

 

[flyfisher]

Good choice.  I am sure you will be happy with it.  I will also be curious as to the ease of assembly.  Mine wasn't hard but it did take a decent amount of time.  

I have thought about mounting the ski rack upside down on the bars on mine if i needed space but i haven't tried it yet because, well I don't need the space lol 

[Boomstick]

6 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

Good choice.  I am sure you will be happy with it.  I will also be curious as to the ease of assembly.  Mine wasn't hard but it did take a decent amount of time.  

I have thought about mounting the ski rack upside down on the bars on mine if i needed space but i haven't tried it yet because, well I don't need the space lol 

Well I downloaded the instruction manual and started looking over assembly. They say 25 minutes but I could see it taking me 25 minutes to verify all of the parts. But it is only a few pages in the manual, basically connect the crossbars which are pre-wired.

 

It's not like I have a garage floor to work on -- which isn't recommended anyway for the risk of scratching up the trailer so I'll be doing this in the backyard most likely.

[flyfisher]

it's aluminum right?  

[Boomstick]

Yup

[Boomstick]

@flyfisher so I got the trailer yesterday and got it built today. I started around 11am and was done cleaning up at 5. I stopped for lunch and also had to go out and buy a 22m socket. The assembly would have been much shorter too but I had installed the crossbars on the wrong side - did not realize they were not identical until I went to hook up the electrical connections. That probably added a hour - centering the center bar was easily the most time consuming part of the entire process, so having to do that again added a good chunk of time.

 

If I had an actual flat surface (my lawn isn't entirely flat) I would say I could probably do it again in a hour now that I know what I'm doing.

 

I did not get a title with the trailer however. Mass does not require a title when I register it for trailers under 3000 pounds, but may want the prior owners registration or something with the VIN on it -- which I don't have. So we'll see what happens there.

 

I am not sure if I mentioned, but I mentioned to my dad that I would get one of those J-cradles when I go camping, and he bought a Yakima JayLow -- figuring it would work best with Yakima bars and I gotta say he's probably not wrong. So other than this title thing, I'm pretty much good to go. I was also hoping to add the achor trolleys today as well, but figured I would do that another day.

 

[flyfisher]

Looks real good man.  One thing i will say, I'm sure the manual said it too, after your first few trips go back and check all the bolts and retighten as necessary.  I go through all mine once a year and retighten but haven't had to adjust anything after the first time I checked them way back when i got mine.  

is that trailer long enough to hold the kayaks?  looks short but it may be the angle. I know for mine i had to get the extended tongue to fit my 14' kayak.

[Boomstick]

3 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

Looks real good man.  One thing i will say, I'm sure the manual said it too, after your first few trips go back and check all the bolts and retighten as necessary.  I go through all mine once a year and retighten but haven't had to adjust anything after the first time I checked them way back when i got mine.  

is that trailer long enough to hold the kayaks?  looks short but it may be the angle. I know for mine i had to get the extended tongue to fit my 14' kayak.

I haven't loaded them on but I have no doubts - it's rated up to 15' some inches I believe and the Voodoo is the longest at 13' even.

 

After dragging it up the hill, I am real glad they were out of the harbor freight trailers. Without kayaks on it it was heavy enough.