Mazda CX5 wagon with the 6-speed manual transmission. I get 36 mpg highway without the boats and 32 to 34 with them, depending on headwinds. I suspect (no proof, of course) that carrying the boats inverted is slightly more aerodynamic. It also keeps rain out of the cockpits and protects the hull of the plastic boat from oil-canning on the rack. In the case of my short roof and narrow rack spacing, my coamings fit precisely between the racks and further prevent the boats from shifting from inertia and this also helps in solo loading.
The only drawback to the car is that you can’t open the tailgate with the boats on the roof (I hate those stupid tailgate mount “fins” they put on most cars) and I have to slide my 213 cm one piece Greenland paddle between the passenger seats and door to carry it inside.
I wish more car makers would design them with longer and flatter roofs. And stop putting stupidly useless lateral roof bars on them and either place transverse factory racks on them or go back to sturdy rain gutters. I loved my older Volvo wagons for kayak hauling – lower roof was easier to load and I could mount racks with substantial spacing between them. My 1992 740 wagon was by far the best boat hauling car I ever owned, though the '95 850 was more plush inside. Newer Volvo wagons are just as useless for boat hauling and indistinguishably “swoopy”, jacked up and impractical as any Asian or US marque.
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.
@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.
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.
@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.
