Contemplating a kayak

[TNBankFishing]

26 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I car top a 90 lb jackson , I may have dropped it once 

You sir are significantly more daring than me. While I'm not worried about the kayak being damaged, if a 90lb yak destroyed my tibia and fibia while I'm alone at a launch at 5:30am....

[Darth-Baiter]

9 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

You sir are significantly more daring than me. While I'm not worried about the kayak being damaged, if a 90lb yak destroyed my tibia and fibia while I'm alone at a launch at 5:30am....

I wouldnt  pick up the entire kayak.  Half at a time.  Totally managed 
 

not sure I could break a leg loading a kayak.  I suppose it could happen. 

[J Francho]

I car topped an 82 lb. Ocean Kayak Big Game Prowler.  There's plenty of videos that show the technique.  It doesn't require lifting the entire boat at once.

[TNBankFishing]

I'm not sure I'd be able to do it off of my truck. If I had a shorter vehicle I could swing the tail down first and leave the bulk of the weight against the car. With the truck and a 12.5 kayak the angles are just too steep. 

 

Still give you guys credit, I'm not remotely over the hill but after 8 hours on the water I'd dread putting that beast back on top. 

[J Francho]

The key word in cartopping is CAR.  If you have a truck, just shove it in the bed.  That's what I do now.  I don't bother with a bed extender, even with my 14' Commander.  The standard bed works fine with the gate down.

[Darth-Baiter]

My friend loads his 80 lb kayak onto a relatively tall SUV using the Rhino T-load kayak assist.  Looks painless snd his car remains scratch free. 
 

I did however watch a younger guy car top his (same kayak) boat on a Honda Civic.  He would lift the kayak up on one knee then kinda

 kick it up while lifting it all over his head.  He ran the boat upside down as recommended by Hobie.  It looked easy, but I’m older (and wiser) and more importantly, I have a truck.    It was impressive for sure. 

[Dangerfield]

I'm a few years shy of 40 and I SUV-top my 95lb WS Recon 120 on a Nissan Rogue with roof rails and no crossbars. I use x2 foam blocks and x2 NRS 12' cam straps to secure, and if I'm going on the highway, I'll tie down the hull to my hood. It's a process and once you get it down pat, it's easy peasy. I reckon you look up Chad Hoover, he did a video with his wife suv-topping a Bonafide SS127 on a Nissan Murano. If she can do it, you can too. 

 

If you're running solo missions, I strongly advise you invest in some kind of portage cart/kayak cart. I think the FeelFree Lure V2 has a wheel built-in for dragging - pretty cool.

 

There's some carts that use the scuppers rather than bunks, I would thoroughly review your warranty before engaging in one. I think Hobie does allow them, but I would confirm before purchase.

 

The Hobie Lynx is on my radar for my next pedal-drive kayak ~45-50lbs without the seat and drive is impressive and you could probably get your wife out on one as a SUP.

[J Francho]

40 minutes ago, Dangerfield said:

I think Hobie does allow them, but I would confirm before purchase.

Using Hobie scupper cart properly on a Hobie does not void the warranty. 

[Dangerfield]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

Using Hobie scupper cart properly on a Hobie does not void the warranty. 

maybe my wording is off. I meant any kayak, not Hobie as they alllow it. I would confirm the warranty before purchasing a scupper cart.

[J Francho]

They only allow using theirs was my point.