Solo Kayak Loading Hack - Car Top 100lbs in 2min
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- čas přidán 27. 05. 2024
- Loading heavy kayaks can be brutal and dangerous, but today we go over my favorite way to easily car top any weight or size with Strapinno Ratchet Straps.
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Remote Designs Dry Backpacks & Duffels - remotedesignsllc.com/
Strapinno Retractable Ratchet Straps (set of 4): amzn.to/3HIIqKZ
Roof Crossbar: amzn.to/3l3oicG
Pool Noodle: amzn.to/3HPhutg
Disclaimer: Some of these are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. - Sport
![How to Transport a Kayak: Solo Loading and Unloading [NO LOAD ASSIST]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/K90yRHQZFoM/mqdefault.jpg)
Excellent video man you absolutely did my version justice lol! See ya on the next adventure 👊🏿
Haha you definitely struck a chord when I watched. Kept thinking I was insane for not having known about this method. Yessir see you out on the water!
This is amazing!! I’m almost 48 and not in the best shape of my life, but I love kayaking. I’ve been wanting to get my own for a while now, and came here mainly for your old town reviews. I drive a Mazda 3 sedan, and I’ve been holding back on the whole project due to how daunting the thought of trying to manage on my own would be (or how expensive) but this looks like just the ticket for a low price. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Thank you so much Keri! Yes this is such a handy way to load a kayak. Get a nice small kayak and that should make things much easier
Excellent advice/tips and presented professionally and succinctly. Great job!
Thank you so much! Hopefully this will helps some folks out
FINALLY! Someone with a viable solution. Thanks for passing it on.
Glad it could help!
Thanks for sharing this easy loading technique. I like the hack and would enjoy more hacks.
You bet Tom! Happy thanksgiving!
Great hack! I lol'd because I have a Jeep GC too and was looking for hacks to load kayak on vehicle myself and found this hack and you have same vehicle. Well done!
Oh this is perfect then! I’ve found it to work for those bigger kayaks. Best thing is a lighter kayak though
This is brilliant! Really glad I watched this...
Thanks Scott! Hope you’ve been well my dude
Glad to see you messing with the Sportsman 120 again. Hoping to see more videos with it, bought mine for river exploration/camping due to the weight capacity rather than fishing. Most cheaper kayaks I'm right at or over the weight limit without any gear. Not many videos out there with the Sportsman other than fishing videos.
Definitely have a bunch of big time videos coming out with the 120. Canyons, lakes, and river trips here over the next couple months. Totally agree, fishing dominates the old town sportsman line up so it’s refreshing to hear others are using them for exploration too
Nice, i roof topped my canoes and kayaks for almost 20 years. Wish i would have known this back then. I got a small foldable trailer now that makes life a lot easier.
Exactly! The moment I saw this my perspective on loading and unloading changed completely. The trailer sounds ideal. I don’t have room for one but maybe one day!
I've been using the strap between the supports for a while (to load a 90lb canoe solo) but I hadn't thought of putting a roller (noodle) around it...will try this for trip I'm loading for tomorrow! Thanks!
The noodle adds just a bit more bigger between the paint, but the same concept as you’re already doing!
Thanks for the tip, dude! My gf and I have been trying to figure out the easiest way for her to be able to transport her 14' kayak when I'm not around with the truck, and I think this is going to be the ticket. Looking forward to more videos when we finally get some rain in TX to get the rivers flowing again!
We still need rain in Texas!
Awesome and easy looking! Thx!!
Cheers!
Thank you so much for this one, it's getting used for sure!
Heck yeah! Glad you find it useful
This is exactly the hack I’ve been searching for!!!
It’s so useful for these heavy fishing kayaks!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Also, the Remote Designs Black Friday Sale is live!
yeah lol that 120 is heavy its a tank, i always have someone help with loading that one and i have a truck and a trailer.
@@BlueEffigy it sure is. Twice as heavy as that vapor ten! That’s why I was so stoked to see the bass Fishing dudes post. I don’t have room to store a trailer? Otherwise that would’ve been a great alternative
That's pretty cool and easy . We bought a 2024 Outback and it has the coolest roof rack . It has a cut away in the middle . You can just
throw a small rug over the low part slide the kayak all the way across without worrying about losing a mirror , been there done that . But
now I fold them in anyway . I bet the mirrors are $1000 each , self darkening lane change warning self adjusting and more , yep fold them in.
I'm sure there's not much you haven't tried as often as you go . Take a look at the Outback ( not the Wilderness) it has a different roof rack .
You have a blessed one my friend .
Good call on that!
OMG this is awesome! Thanks so much 👏😊
Hey you bet suelin! Thanks for tuning in!
I just put a towel or blanket on the roof of the car to protect the paint, and then slide the kayak up the same way.
That’s a good way to do it!
Suuuper helpful thank you very much!!
Thanks for watching Sarah! Definitely helped me out
You make it look easy!
Hah! I’m so used to ending up with cuts and bruises. The first time I did it I was like…well life is better now haha
Thanks for this, I have an inflatable kayak but last time we went out a lady came out to have a go at us for how long we were spending outside her house setting up (probably buying a new build next a portage point was a bad plan) and it really made me feel like the long set up and deflate/roll up/pack away time made me quite vulnerable and I haven't been able to shake the fear of it since, so I have been looking at getting a proper one but worrying about the loading. This might actually help me get back out on the water :)
Intriguing! Yeah I like being quick in and quick out. Inflating from zero isn’t my favorite but it’s great once blown up!
I like this hack and would like to see more. I have a 65lb 14ft kayak that I think this would work great for.
You bet Sam! Yeah the long kayaks can be tricky to hoist up and load
Gonna have to try this with the flycraft.
Let me know how that goes my man!
Great info 😎 thank you!
Thank you for watching!
Love this and needed the Info. I do solo too. Thanks.
Very cool Callie! Thanks for stopping by. Cheers!
That pool noodle trick is what I needed
It’s handy! Protecting the paint is key haha
Love your video! So smart. I Would like to know where you purchased the roller you used. Noodles would be okay. I had a thought of sliding a small PVC tube through it so the noodle would roll. Just.a thought.
Keep doing what your doing.
All at Walmart! Haha
Thank you for this!
You bet! About to put another one out for 2022 this spring
Awesome hack and would definitely be down for some more! Not as difficult for myself with a Ford focus and inflatable roof racks lol
Definitely an easier combo! Haha the inflatable roof rack sounds like a cool setup
@@GatewoodBrown yep got it back when I got my pelican, now using it to haul the vibe around. It's called HandiRack, can find it on Amazon or Dicks. Gonna start doing some fishing from the vibe next season, least that's the plan haha. Hope you guys have an awesome Thanksgiving!
@@jasonjohnson3164 ok cool thanks for the recommendation. I’ll look into it! Happy thanksgiving Jason!
@@GatewoodBrown no problem!
I love that I can get my vapor into the manvan with all the seats folded down. I decided one day to roof rack it. Big mistake as the driverside sliding door doesnt work, so it is harder to get to the driver side tie down points. This will atleast make it easier!
The vapor was so clutch! Yeah cartopping is infinitely harder than being able to internally transport. I miss those days haha
I use the suction cup kayak roller that attaches to the back window and you just push it up and over from the back. One nice fluent motion, super easy. Suction cup on, push up, suction cup off. Can solo load the FeelFree lure 13.5 like this.
Oh very interesting I’ll have to check that rig out! definitely sounds useful
That is a good one, Gatewood. Still not as easy as my Buddy’s system, but a lot simpler. We have a camp out planned for this weekend and I am going to talk to him about whether he wants me to release the video or not. You may see it soon. Who knows?
Have fun on your camping! I suppose you’re out there right now. Let me know when ya post!
@@GatewoodBrown My buddies actually wimped out on me. They felt like it was going to be too cold. 🤦🏻♂️😂 But we have had a LOT going on at home and I really needed to be here to help out with a few things, anyway. So it worked out for the best, I guess.
I've used a bath mat this way for years, but your tube strap will work better because I often have problems with the mat blowing away in the wind. I'll try this today!
Bath mat is a good idea! The noodle adds a bit more buffer but honestly anything is better than nothing
Try loading it from the other side then 😂
Seems a bit of a fanny on if you ask me 😂
Sometimes I don't get back soon enough before the wind kicks up. I try, but sometimes it happens. How does your method work in gusty winds? I am a senior citizen now and have trouble loading in the wind.
great idea!!!!
Thanks man!
Nice hack! I used to have to load my Expedition, I kept a 3 foot step ladder to get up there, what a pain. Especially after a long day on the water, and possibly an adlt beverage or 2. I luckily have room for trailers, so I've gon e tyhat route. I was in Little Rock yesterday picking up my new Gheenoe, how much farther south are you, 6 hrs?
Dang! I can’t imagine trying to load a kayak on a step stool. Glad you’re on the trailer life now! I would do that but living in a townhome I don’t have any place to store one. We are about 7 hours south of Little Rock. Beautiful spot up there!
@@GatewoodBrown That's what i get for putting bigger tires on it. The step was mainly for reaching the straps, but it definitely had a few scrapes.
I see. Yeah the ratchet straps have always been a pain point for me. Not any more though thank goodness. Literally cut my tie down phase to a minute or two instead of 15.
Hey man! What kayak is that at 0:33?
Man that is awesome that is a cool way of loading up a heavy kayak by yourself. I like those ratchet straps I've been thinking about getting a set. I know what you mean buddy by constantly have to keep stopping and retie something down. But I know I have to worry about that cuz I won't be doing nothing like that for a while. Thursday night I had to liftgate break and hit my knee then my leg & feet. Cut me pretty good on my foot I almost had to get stitches. I have a knee cast or brace or whatever it is on now , my leg is swollen & I can't walk on it. If i move my toe I'm screaming like I'm crazy. You and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving buddy please be safe.
Sorry to hear about your injuries. I wish you a speedy recovery! Have a good thanksgiving and we will too. Cheers!
Thanks for the tip
You bet!
Hey I’m in Lubbock! Where’d you kayaking? Im thinking about Buddy Holly Lake. They have a kayak launch now
I went to school at Tech! Lakes are a good start but I much prefer rivers. Check out New Mexico for some good streams. Also the Brazos River near lake PK is fun.
Jokes on you, I dont care about scratching my paint lol. Good vid! About to get myself a 12ft (my current is 10.5ft) & loading it solo is definitely becoming more of a consideration.
Haha I’m kinda at that point with my car too. It’s approaching beater stage!
A great technique! How many of those Strappino straps do you use (and how long)? My fishing kayak is 87 pounds. Also, what kind of foam-roller is that? The one I got would be flattened by my kayak's weight.
Two over the top! Then I attach a cam strap out back for safety in case they fail. I got this one at Walmart in the exercise section
A good wide grippy bath mat works for me 👍
That’s a great idea!
Hey Gatewood! I live in the downtown Houston area, do you think a wilderness systems ATAK 120 is too much kayak for the type of stuff you do in the Guadalupe and Comal etc? It's my first kayak (a lot of kayak for a newbie) but I don't want to haul this monster out there and find it's too big to enjoy on our rivers here.
You’re good to go! Those are similar specs to my old town sportsman which is perfect for our Texas hill country rivers
@@GatewoodBrown awesome. I guess being new to the sport I see such a big kayak and I think there's no way this thing is fitting in places haha
I just turned 69 years old. It has become quite a wrestling match loading and unloading my 55#, 15' Cobra Tourer kayak... as you say, discourages kayaking... not good!! I spent 2 hours looking at various loading methods today... lot's of great systems, but your hack is damned near free and as easy as the expensive systems. Next: My kayak sits on the roof tied to straight bars, which puts a divot in the bottom... do you have a hack for a saddle I can mount to roof bars?
Glad this could help! Yeah options are using leverage to lift a heavy kayak or get a super light kayak! Haha or a truck
Nice Video, the only thing I would worry about are the the type of straps you are using, they can creat to much tension on the kayak? Especially a kayak with any seams
I only use kayaks that are fully rotomolded but ratchet straps are the way to go for long highway trips. I don’t trust cams for the 6 hour drives at highway speeds. For short trips cams are great
Looks easy. Nice hack. Thanks for sharing.
However, nowadays I won't pick up any canoe heavier than 50 Lbs. Not because of the car loading but because of the portaging that will come my way.
Thanks! Yeah luckily we don’t really portage here but certainly keep weight down is key for your types of trips
HI, Is 9 Feet cam strap long enough for tie the old town PDL106?
Hmmm it should be but you’ll need 3 straps if you’re roof mounting
Hi by using this method you will be doing a lot of damage to your kayak ,,,,,making a side loader kayak rack is easier than man handling your yak on a jeep grand cherokee especially very easy with a side loader with a electric winch with remote,,,,you can use Aluminium square tubing and flat long 1/4 thickness,, 5 centimetre wide,,in the middle fitting about roller ,,,,,and then two pvc pipe side rails,,,if you take a look at the kayak side loader you will be able to make it up its not hard,,I've done it on my jeep grand cherokee and works very well I really was impressed with the kayak rack,,,remote control winch was very good and quickly loaded,,,,,
How do you upload the kayak? I use a thick towel to slide my kayak so I don't scratch the roof paints.
Good questions! I have roof racks that I don't mind scratching. For separation between roof and kayak you can buy some inflatable roof racks that strap to the car. This is good for cars that can't accept racks
Great video. But I would add some caution to not get too excited with the ratchet straps. They can easily damage the kayak.
Thanks! I hear people say that about ratchet straps but I’ve never had an issue and we’ve been hiking kayaks for a long time in the hot sun. No damage. I’d agree those industrial strength ratchets probably aren’t ideal! haha
I should have clarified, it was more about warning others not to get too aggressive with the straps. Many people don't realize how much force they can apply until it's too late. @@GatewoodBrown
@@armyfazer1410 ahh I see, totally agree! You don’t need to crank it with full force, that’s for sure!
can you do a video on how to tie down your kayak?
I kind of touch on that in the video! Ratchet straps work great
Speaking of solo kayaking, any tips on what to do when you solo kayak down a river in terms of getting the car back? The best i could think of is getting a cable-lock and locking up the kayak to a tree at the end of a run, then hiking back to the car where you left it (at the beginning of the run), then finally driving the car back to where the kayak is locked up
You basically nailed it! A few options:
1. Bring someone else so you have a car at the top and bottom (we do this most often)
2. Use a shuttle service (park at their place and they drop you off and pick you up)
3. Paddle upstream then float back down (called a boomerang trip)
4. Have a car at the launch or take out and hike/bike back to it before/after the paddle. You can lock a bike at the exit and use that if the distance is too long for a hike
just ghost ride your car down stream, parallel ofcourse.
Yeah, it's time to institute a hack thanks! This 61 yo man has hoisted a 14' kayak too long and has needed a rest after returning from a long paddle to lift the monster up on the SUB.
Yes! Works so well for those 14’ kayaks. After the paddle is brutal too
Just hang a small rug at the back of the vehicle and slide the kayak up to the roof racks. Then put the rug back in the car.
That’s one way to do it but not much impact protection
hello always wondered, what is the name of the grey hybrid kayak of yours?
Hey! That’s the Ascend H10. Wonderful boat
@@GatewoodBrown Thanks, love from Norway
I want to go to Norway sometime!
do you have any saddles on your crossbars?
I do not! Haven’t found the need unless I’m hauling two kayaks at once
Thanks 😊
You bet trish!
I open the tailgate and run 3 kayaks using ratchet straps. Run through the holes and hook to the hooks on the bed and put a red flag. You couldn’t shake em off if you tried
We definitely prefer hauling in a truck. Much easier than anything else for sure
Would this still work with loading into j hook racks?
You'd have to tweak the process I think. I'm wondering if you could rest the nose on the J-Hook and then slide it up from there
My biggest problem with loading my 80 pound Hobie on the roof, other than losing by strength now that I’m a senior citizen plus, is the kayak sliding off the vehicle sideways when picking up the other end and pushing it up. I bought a Rhino Rack hitch mounted T-bar with side goal posts that eliminates this. Now I just hope there is someone around to help me.
That sounds like you have a good method now! Having a buddy is always the best way but I do often find myself at the house car topping solo. Happy paddles!
what are those straps call again?
Links are in the description! Strapinno
Sadly where I live a kayak will get stolen if you leave it on top so I just started to put it in my suv
Oh dang sorry to hear that!
Buy or build a lighter kayak. Simples!
You know, fabric on frame kayaks have been a thing since polar exploration & the modern ones with modern fabrics are surprisingly robust. Yes, you do have to take a bit more care than with PU boat, but the weight man, the weight makes everything oh so much easier. You can get 1 person kayaks options that weigh just 10 kg or anything between that and a PU tank.
That may be a bit more involved than I’d like for now! I do have serious respect for those that do sculpt their own boats from scratch.
What about unloading?
Very similar but in reverse!
What about a scion FR-S???
Hot glue some cross bars and you’ll be good to go!! Should make for some easy vapor 10 hauling
Diy boat kayak side loaders
❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊
Thought this was how loading kayaks was done. Y’all been dead lifting these things up onto your roof?
Yeah I've been deadlifting them on lol. Glad you've been in the know longer than I and most others!
Guns Up!
Cheers to that!
Is there a link to the black roller tube, seems like that is the way to go. Pool noodles deteriorate pretty quickly.Thanks.
You can search 'foam roller' and a bunch of options will show up! Hope that helps
@@GatewoodBrown Thank you !
Lifting 50% of the kayak is key. 65% adults have compressed discs!
Yes! Maximizing leverage is so important
I cringed so hard when he was ratcheting down the old town on a bare roof rack. The rack was deforming as he did it. It was like nails on a chalkboard.
When you’re sustaining highway speeds for 6 hours you’ve got to make sure it’s nice and tight!
👋😎👍
Howdy!
Get a truck bro
That’s reasonable advice!