I have not done that yet, but have a similar setup-only also have a third roof bar for long canoes
Roof bars and bed bars are different heights. Removed the front bed towers and bar. Without the roof rack boats hang out a little too far.
We have jbars on our grand cherokee, works fine for the 10’ kayaks but you still need a step stool to get them upthere.
If we are just taking the 10’ ones we put them in the back of the truck and tie them down by the carry handles.
My 13’ sea ghost fits with the tailgate down, and yes i have a flag for it.
It will be going on the racks when we take the camper, which should be interesting, it’s on the heavy side.
The truck is easier to load and unload for sure.
I use my 99 Prelude. Based on my limited experience I think that for urban solo kayaking it’s about the best vehicle. I has a very low roof height so yanking the boat up is easy. Just give a quick knee kick and up it goes. No fancy hardware is needed, just foam blocks and lashing straps. When done up properly the boat is very secure.
About everyone I see uses taller vehicles and racks. I always cringe at the thought of loading up on those vehicles. Coincidentally about everyone I paddle with will ask for help loading up. Sure, they would be able to do it solo but can’t pass up the chance to do it more easily with a second person. I usually refuse help since it’s just as easy to lift it on my own.
As far as getting getting to remote areas, even it I did that I wouldn’t want to play the offloading game. I have little trust in offloading abilities of most modern vehicles and a proper 4x4-ing is an expensive game to play.
Short roof long boat. The key a Yakima stretch kit for coupes. Really stable.
I take it on highways every weekend. Where there’s a will there’s a way.
@JohnGoldhurst said:
Short roof long boat. The key a Yakima stretch kit for coupes. Really stable.
I take it on highways every weekend. Where there’s a will there’s a way.
The Goodboy racks work good for short roofs long skinny boats.
http://goodboykayaks.com/
Not mine but lots of overhang
I suggest getting a 4wd vehicle with very high ground clearance. Then you can find your own personal parking and launches.
Ground near the water is frequently soft, and people only park there as a last resort.
Kings beach in Providence Rhode Island is a great place to launch, but it is packed and there is never any parking. Yet there is a torn up road going down to a boat launch. There is a 1 foot cliff like drop. And beyond that there is privacy, parking, a place to sun yourself, and easy access to the water.
I imagine that there are many, many inaccessible but legal places like that.
As a completely off topic comment, solas tape works great on bikes.
Yes 4x4 will get you stuck farther from the paved road where the wreckers don’t go. (Have 2)
Just don’t park on the big beach at low tide and come back to the now little beach after high tide.
@Overstreet said:
Yes 4x4 will get you stuck farther from the paved road where the wreckers don’t go. (Have 2)
This has actually become more of a consideration for me in my next vehicle purchase. Soon after I first got it, I went all sorts of places you’d never dream of going with most vehicles; even those with AWD. When I think of what would have happened, had I gotten really stuck in some of those places, I cringe at what it might have cost me to get unstuck.
I carry some self-rescue gear in the truck. Enough that I’d probably be able to get myself out eventually. But it would be a lot of time and effort to do it. A winch is an option, but it doesn’t help in many cases of electrical/mechanical failure. Not to mention the expense of a good one.
Maybe I’m just getting older and wiser, but I tend to stay more on the pavement these days than I used to. The good news is that vehicles meant for pavement (and occasional gravel) are a lot cheaper to purchase and maintain than true 4X4.
There was a video on YouTube - a wrangler and a horse off-road. The horse laughed at the jeep.
I think really you can get there in almost anything. It would certainly be easier to put a canoe on my wife’s Mazda 3 5-door’s bars (she has them for road trips) than it is 2 foot higher on my Xterra. I have put in at some bridges that I would have had to leave the Mazda on the road that I drove nearly into the water in 4wd. But I haven’t been to any place I couldn’t make it work with either vehicle.
@Overstreet said
Yes 4x4 will get you stuck farther from the paved road where the wreckers don’t go. (Have 2)Just don’t park on the big beach at low tide and come back to the now little beach after high tide.
The big beach small beach phenomena is on exhibit at the Cape Cod National Sea Shore Oversand Vehicle Area Ranger Headquarters.
But as far as Jeeps go, any thing done stupidly with a Jeep has already been attempted with a car…the Jeeps are usually salvageable.
My put in vehicle needed brakes.
Never felt them bad. Just looked before winter not something I like to do in cold.
Would have felt grinding in a day or two. It would still stop but not as good.
Rears next week. Probably didn’t need calipers but they’re in now anyway. Kayak trip next weekend. Glad I looked. Also want to go to river conn.com next week.