The drive
is unfortunately too long to Crystal River (over 2 hr one way), so I’m going back to the Clearwater dealer tomorrow to look at the Sky 10 more closely.
Not a van
Sorry sissy, I forgot to answer your question. I have a Toyota Rav4, but surprisingly it’ll fit a 10 foot boat! If I recline the front passenger seat and knock down the 2nd row, I could get my old Hobie Sport in there easily. (Not that the Sport ended up sticking around… too heavy).
Hmmm,
Have you thought about just going ahead and getting a decent rack system? Putting a wet dirty boat (and sometimes it just isn’t avoidable) in the car doesn’t sound very appealing.
One of my best paddling buddies has a RAV4, too, with Malone racks. She’s only 5’2" but she puts a rug over the spare tire thing and slides her Skylark (or her Necky Sport, or Necky Manitour 14) right up the back. Stands on the tires to tie it down.
I’m just saying, you could do it, if you wanted to. But whatever works best for you is the way to go. We all have different priorities.
I hope you’ll post again after you demo the Sky 10.
Second what Sissy said
I can get a 17 ft, not light layup, kayak on and off the roof of the car (wagons, one is on the taller side) by myself using a kayak cart for the trip to and from the car and the Amagansett Roller Loader to slide them off and on. The boat slides up on its hull and gets angled to the right proition after it is up there. With J racks you’d just angle it sooner than with the stackers we have.
I’ve said this before - the longer boats are easier than the 10 footers because they are long enough to rest with the stern on the ground and the nose up near the rack. I’ve seen people get boats up and down off the roofs of sedans using blankets and foam blocks as well, also sliding rather than lifting.
Having perimeter line helps to hold onto the boat as well, but at a light enough weight you could probably just grab the boat along the cockpit coaming to slide it.
If you are used to heavy old canoes, this wouldn’t be as obvious. Since the only way to be able to slide them is to flip them first, then hope you can balance it while you get it lined up to slide… kayaks with their hulls being guided along something behave much better.
Celia,
I was wondering if I’d be able to slide my kayak up the back of my Elantra sedan into my new Malone J-loaders, or if it would be better to do it from the side. From the side, of course, when I have someone to help me but that’s only about half the time. Have you done it this way? I’m probably going to try it this afternoon–have to put the thing together and on the rack first.
Yeah
– Last Updated: Oct-16-11 11:18 AM EST –
I had a 30-ish lb Kevlar canoe that I used to put on a rooftop rack. I don't know if I overdid the paddling or what, but oftentimes I was so fatigued after paddling that it was tough to get a boat even that light 6 feet up onto the roof.
On the other hand, I used to paddle my Hobie Sport everywhere, then put it into the car. I never had much trouble with the boat being dirty or wet, as I would wipe it down clean before putting it in the car. I have these large absorbent mats with rubber backing (made for aquarium maintenance) that I covered my car upholstry with. You would not believe how much water they catch. They always worked well for protecting my upholstry.
If I have to, I can definitely break down and buy a rack. I'd rather not have to, though. I don't have much upper body strength and had a really difficult time handling even the 30 lb canoe onto the rack. I know somebody might say "Get a hullivator" but I'd rather put that money into a good boat than an expensive rack.
I do appreciate the suggestion! You mentioned that we all have different priorities, and for some reason I'm really particular about getting a boat that can fit into my car, rather than having to use a rack and tie down.
So you didn’t test it yesterday?
I’m sure you would have told us. I’m just anxious to read more reviews, especially if they’re super positive like everyone else I’ve read.
No 
No my car unfortunately broke down and I spent 4 hours at the dealership getting it fixed. I was very bummed about not getting to go out, but I’m going to the shop this afternoon when they open. Can’t wait!
What I can contribute
is limited from personal experience - I’ve never personally had any use for a car that wasn’t a hatch back. But we have friends who load onto sedans, and based onto the size of the car and the length of the boat I’ve seen or helped folks do the following. They all involve sliding though.
Load at an angle from the back of the sedan, onto an extra bar that slides out (usually homemade) from the front cross bar of the roof rack and sticks out about a foot or so more. Once the front is up and resting on the rack, lift up the back end.
Use the same equipment as above but slide right thru from the rear.
Put up blankets or towels to cover the rear of the trunk as well as the rear of the roof, slide up.
Use the Amagansett Roller Loader or a simile made from childrens’ bike parts to replace the second towel above. The Roller Loader has gotten pricey - making your own may be a better idea.
Spend the bucks to buy or copy the manufacturer that offers a slide out bar for the back of the rack, to help with sedans. I only know of one person who has done this though, and they weren’t impressed. Plus it isn’t transferable like the Roller Loader.
Which will work really depends on the specific rack mounts and details of the vehicle and the person. I find on the 4 wheel drive vehicle that a 12 inch step stool to finish things is not optional.
Also, I have had to get creative with straps at times to handle a boat that has a hull which wants to turn and roll right off again just as you are finishing getting the back end where you want it. I’ve sometimes run a long strap or rope thru the forward stackers, to under the perimeter line forward of the cockpit and back to my hand to hang onto loosely. When taking down, I have left the forward strap on but loose so it’ll stop the boat from fully dropping off if it tries to slide. Haven’t had to do it lately - my current boats are better behaved that way than my first sea kayak was.
I can sure understand that
A relative and his wife bought 10 ft poly boats years ago, and never looked back. They wanted boats that could fit into their big GMC van, which has no back seats; they get two boats and two bikes and all their camping gear in there, and off they go. They have a great time on Florida’s creeks and rivers and lagoons with their little boats.
However, she is now eager to demo the Sky 10 after I told her how much more efficient it is than the typical 10 ft rec boat. Not to mention prettier, too.
I’m thinking about eventually getting a van like that for my paddling, biking, camping gear. Right now, my canoe and kayak are too long to fit–that’s one reason I am also considering the Sky 10 in the future.
Thanks.
I have a yakima boat loader that has been on my car for a couple of years, but I only used it once because sliding the boat up the back of the car proved to be much easier. Now I’d like to use it with the J-loader but it is stuck and won’t come out.
Bought the Sky 10
I didn’t have time to get to the dealer 2 hrs away that has demos, so I went to my local dealer and bought the one they had on the floor. 
I know I’m taking a risk buying without trying it out; however, I’ve heard nothing but positive reviews on this boat. It has the best attributes of my previous two boats, combined into one (lightweight, short in length, good performance). Plus, I can’t take my eyes off of it, it’s so gorgeous. I ordered an Aquabound Sting Ray Hybrid small shaft paddle, and I hope it comes in this week. I live 3 minutes away from an estuary launch site, so as soon as that paddle comes in I’ll be loading the Sky into my car and heading for the water!
I also need to put in a positive review for Tom at Eddyline. He answered my emails promptly and was a great help. You can sense the pride they have in their boats, and it shows in the craftsmanship and customer service.
Congratulations!!!
I’m jealous. What color did you get?
Blue
I got the blue and white (the dark blue color). It’s a really rich, dark blue… I just love it!
Really, really
jealous now. Blue would be my first choice, too.
You are going to enjoy that boat so much! Can’t wait to read your first report after paddling it.
Thank you
I can’t wait to get out on the water again! I’m trying to think of a name for the Sky. I never named my other two boats and that may have contributed to their getting sold. 
Paddle’s here!
Guess who’s going out on the water tomorrow!
You’re killing me
I was hoping that this was going to be the ‘what a great boat it’s fast maneuverable’ etc. review. I guess I can wait one more day.
Go, girl!
This is going to be an exceptionally pretty weekend to enjoy your new boat, too. I paddled yesterday on the Wekiva and Little Wekiva Rivers and the maples are turning red and the sky was that clear, vivid autumn in Florida blue.
Looking forward to reading your review. I think you’re going to love it.
Love the boat, HATE the paddle!
– Last Updated: Oct-22-11 2:03 PM EST –
I took the Sky out for a 1-hour trip on Little Manatee River, FL today. The Sky performs like a champ. First off, it was so easy to load into my car, then from the car to the water. I can literally carry it on one shoulder and have my other arm totally free. For a 5'5" not-so-strong chick, that was awesome. Picking it up is also easy, compared to the back breaking I used to endure carrying my 52 lb. Hobie. While my old canoe was the same weight as the Sky, it was 3.5 feet longer and very awkward to carry. Not so with the Sky. Just tuck it onto your shoulder and go!
The boat initially feels tippy when you get into it. It really bobs on the water... until you get comfortably seated with your seatback and foot pedals well adjusted. Then, it's a little like the Space Mountain vehicles at Disney World: cozy and zippy but fun! I do wish there was a bit more knee padding, but I can probably add that on my own.
It was breezy and there was a light chop in areas of the water, so I went against the current first then returned with it. The boat performs better in flatter water, IMO, but it did ok with the chop. My main frustration was the Stingray paddle. I really hate it. I don't know if it's because I haven't paddled in a year, but it just felt all wrong. I got a 230 cm one, which felt too long, and I was constantly adjusting to avoid big raw spots at the base of my thumbs. I'll get some gloves first and see if I'm more comfortable. Otherwise, the length of the paddle may be what's off. I'm not the best judge of that.
Back to the Sky... it was a nice trip on the water. The boat tracks pretty well, but will turn on a dime if you need it to. It's very responsive without wagging all over the place. I took a small backpack and fit it snugly just behind my seat, so that worked well. I might buy a clip-on drink holder if I can find one that'll work. Other than that, I can't find anything that's lacking in the boat.
The main test for me was carrying the boat back to the car after paddling. I was afraid that, like with my other boats, I'd be too fatigued to load the boat back up without exhausting myself. There was also an audience of about 5 people on the shore, so I thought, "Great, this might be embarassing." I tucked the paddle into the cockpit and swung that boat onto my shoulder like nobody's business. Thank goodness getting it back in the car was a breeze!
I gave the boat a quick wipe-down with a bath towel and it was acceptably clean enough to go back in the car. yay!
Yeah... I love this boat.