Those racks look fine
I like lumber racks best. plenty of space between crossbars for the 18 ft boats. I do not own any Wilderness Systems boats.
Of course, you could always…
get a trailor!
Please Kate…
Please Kate, Don’t Feed The Bears 
Trailor: seriously? - Got pictures
Please don’t play with my feelings… I feel vulnerable.
But seriously, why, do you use one? how much? Pictures?
hey, I am in a learning mode I will consider everything.
Rique.
Check out www.usrack.com
I was in the same boat (pun intended), so we picked up a rack from USrack–no drilling required, easy on and off and very well built. We’re very happy with it and it wasn’t too hard on the pocketbook! We use straps/tie downs to secure out boats, so we didn’t have the added expense of saddles, etc
Good luck!
Janet
Oh that trailer ! - LOL
Funny
Y’re a magician Jay
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/551355208/2335089790090600625fosAmD
Nice truck too. Your cabin is longer than mine which allows you to load it up LIKE THAT! :). Mine, well… no enough space
Can you drive it like this on the freeway… say at 75 with no problems?
Thanks.
Rique
Yes, I looked at it
Hi Janet, did you get this one?
http://www.usrack.com/utility_rack.shtml
This is one of the ones in contention for me. Looks and you say it’s solid, at $299 all of it: reasonable and they pay for the shipping (not bad!)
Thanks
Seriously ok, nice stuff but…
Nice stuff… but a bit expensive
Thanks
US Rack Utility Rack
Hi,
Yes, thats the rack we purchased. It was actually $20 or so cheaper when we purchased a couple of years ago. It has held up fine and is very sturdy. Its a safe and affordable alternative to the traditional yakima/thule transport methods. We did add pool noodles to it to act as a cushion for our boats.
I am not in any way associated w/ this company–just a very satisfied customer.
Cheers,
Janet
Could she be the one? for just $363
I can’t believe it… I think I found the set, take a look: They seem ROCK SOLID (1000 lbs). $363.99 no taxes, and FREE SHIPPING from http://www.jcwhitney.com/ and excellent 100% satisfaction guarantee and ready to ship… It’s got it all baby
…Features a big 1,000-lb. capacity and is made of no-rust 100% heavy-duty aluminum. Rack is aerodynamically designed to eliminate wind noise…
Unfortunatedly, for some reason I can not paste the full link for the picture so I will use a link from another distributor that carries it as well (no free shipping here though). The full systems is over $700, but the racks alone, only $363.99
http://www.orsracksdirect.com/tracrac-truck-racks-trac-rac-sliding-pickup-truck-rack.html
1 1/4 " EMT is a better choice, sturdier
and the top bars are less likely to sway. I carefully considered the 1", but decided the bigger conduit was the way to go. As it is, I did use my yakima bars and there is some swaying in the middle of the bars…i’m planning to sturdy them up with EMT 90 degree tubing. Overall, though, the EMT is a good choice. I’ve put about 5000 miles on my truck and the kayak is up there most of the time, with no problems.
I Drive The Same Truck
Here’s what I did:
http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/73468997/1193774775046653987OhJOGa
The local paddling shop had half a rack they wanted to get rid of so I put it over the cab. My buddy welded together some stuff to make a “T” that attached to the receiver / trailer hitch. Getting the trailer hitch bought and installed was the most costly thing. I’m old and can’t remember what it costed but it wasn’t bad.
No, She is not the one 
Unfortunatedly, this rack is part of the whole $800 system. Next!
The T set up - Thanks
Kudzu,
Hmmm…thank you so much for the information. So you got your set up for nothing, huh? good for you.
Your set up is very similar to this one
http://www.orsracksdirect.com/yakima-q-tower-half-pack.html
Cab rack $120
T-hitch rack $140
Total $260 (Free shipping special - labor day) (not bad).
But in doing all this investigating… I now know, for some unkown reason, i tend to lean toward the 2 traditional racks on the bed of the truck, as it is the case with the Yakima outdoorsaman 300 (below)
http://www.orsracksdirect.com/yakima-8001136.html
2 sets of uprights $160 + horizontal bar ($25) or $185 per set. Since you need two:
Total: 370.00 (Free shipping, no taxes).
Diference: 370 - 260 = $110.00
So there is the question… I should go for the $260 OBVIOUSLY… and yet… I like the $370 set
I will think about and make a descision by tomorrow - if I decide to go this route - as these specials are only for labor day or so they say.
ONE QUESTION: I notice you pushed the boat way over the front of the truck… I assume that is so that most of the weight will be over the cabin and thus better handling when driving?
That is something I will have to consider if (most likely) I go for the Yakima outdoorsman 300. In my case, I don’t know how I will place the boat on the rack (Tsunami 140, 14 ft long). In my case I guess I can place the racks anywhwere within the 6FT Bed lenght… Oh well, later
THANK YOU ALL very much!! - I bought it.
Thanks to everyone who gave me input. I learned a lot from everyone with your comments and pictures and so I was able to make a nice choice. I decided on the Yakima outdoorsman 300, especially when I found even a better price, no taxes an free shipping. Total: $332.64 (166.32/set). For 4 uprights/stands and 2 bars.
http://www.backcountry.com/store/YAK0094/large/c4/s11/Yakima-Outdoorsman-300-Compact.html?swatch=YAK0094
I am still intrigued by the PVC / EM1 conduit possibilities. As to the truck bed SHELLS, well, I found none on the auto-trader, truck trader and others. Then I realized these went out of style a while ago but I am sure there great deals all over the place. I just want to start paddling quickly
Rique.
Good choice, risque
– Last Updated: Sep-04-06 8:01 AM EST –
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ladder-Rack-Truck-Rack-Truck-Racks-Ladder-Racks_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33651QQitemZ8038354137QQrdZ1
I want to post this, just so others who might look this thread up in the future (it is archived on Pnet) can see the above link and option. The 800 telephone number was given in one of my prior posts on this thread. And no, it's not my cousin or something making them. But for the same exact price that rique paid for the Yakima rack--a fine choice indeed for his purposes--one might consider the $165 each, including all shipping and no sales tax, Rack-It uprights and racks like those linked here. Actually, now that i see it, they are $155/each if you buy front and back... or $310 for teh set, shipped. They are heavy duty steel (very strong, unbendable), and are custom made for your truck (you send the company the exact model of truck and they have stock dimensions for your factory bed, but just to make sure, they have you measure the bed). The rack is powder coated black, and is very stylish. The fit is superb, as could be imagined with a custom rack. It is so perfect fitting that one literally does not need to bolt it down, it'd likely stay in place as is, but I c-clamp it just for safety. Particularly if you have a blac truck, the black "roll bar" custom look of this system might be considered a "plus". Scroll down in the link above for many photos.
Just a slightly cheaper priced alternative. The saddles that I use with it are linked in my post above. They are wonderful, too.
Good question for advice section, risque. Happy paddling.
The saddles from Spring Creek
Cooldoctor
:)… Well I followed your advice and ordered the Saddles with the straps. $89 + $10 + $9 shipping. Mainly because I am tired of shpping already… it’s exhausting. I hope they are as nice as you say they are!..
I need two more basic items: a spray skirt and the nice rain/wind jacket for my weather (VA) from Spring to late fall. Any ideas?
Also, you do like your rack don’t you :)… Do I take it you have been kayaking for a while? What kind? whiter water, touring?
http://www.canoegear.com/catalog/product.php?productid=359&cat=46&page=1