how do you transport your yak?

im planning on picking one up in the next few weeks and just trying to understand how ill do this. ill either be using a 4 door accord that doesnt have a roof rack , or a minivan.

i know there are the purpose built kayak racks that go for ~$200+ , but i was wondering if anyone has rigged something before that was highway safe.

also , what PFDs do you prefer? the high back type for support , or something with mesh shoulders/back for comfort.

I have a Yakima setup on my Suburban for my kayak and canoe, but I really only use it when we go camping. I typically toss it on the roof of my little Hyundai Accent with a couple precut foam blocks, a strap over the middle and thru the doors, two straps running from the yak's bow carry handle to my tow bar in the front, and another strap running from the stern handle to a point on the frame below the rear bumper.

I know it sounds like overkill, but with Atlanta-area drivers being as awful as they are, you never know when you'll have to do a full panic-stop @ 75 mph.

These are the blocks I use, but not the straps. The ones that come with the blocks are crap.

http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-Kayak-Car-Top-Carrier/dp/B0008DBP4E

As far as PFDs go, you'll want something with very little or no flotation in the lower back, mesh would be ideal. Make sure the arm openings are large enough to be comfortable when casting. You'll need to be able to cast in pretty much every direction, so this is very important. What might work fine paddling, could be a royal PITA after 30 minutes of fishing.

On my car:

i hear ya on the driving. i just moved to NC from miami , and it seems like im in a different country. people use turn signals up here!

anyways , those pads would be perfect. im not trying to spend $100+ on a roof rack for something that i may not do for long. i like Franchos rack   , but the price...eh. maybe if i get more into kayaking which im sure i will.

ill keep that in mind when i go PFD shopping. i was planning on ordering one from cabelas , but i really dont know what to look for , so ill shop in person.

btw , how do you like that little accent?

It definitely wouldn't be my first choice, but for the price (free) I really can't complain. My in-laws used it as tow vehicle behind their RV, but they sold the RV when the gas prices went thru the roof a couple years ago. They already had a couple nicer cars, so they gave us the little Accent so I wouldn't have to commute in my Suburban.

It's tiny, cramped with three kids in the back seat, gutless (especially with the AC on), and kinda homely, but it gets 37 mpg.

something that crossed my mind about those foam pads.

when youre loading it onto the roof , do they shift around alot? or are they those closed cell type that stay put when a little weight is put on them?

i just pictured myself trying to put a kayak back on the roof and those foam blocks sliding all over the place.

also , what length paddle do you use?

They're closed-cell and some even have a layer of rubber on the bottom to help them stay in place. I don't have a problem with them shifting around at all. Youmay need to adjust them a bit before you strap the yak in place, but that's really no big deal.

To be honest, I don't even remember what length paddle I use. It's a Carlisle Magic and I DON"T recommend it. It's a two-piece aluminum shaft model with a graphite ferrule. The shaft and ferrule expand at different rates so once it's together it won't come apart until it cools down. Pretty d**n irritating. Also, the point where the blade attaches to the shaft leaks, so the shaft will hold water and slowly leak it all out onto the floor in your garage/car/shop/apartment etc. Carlisle's fiberglass-shaft models ight be better, but I'll never know. I'll buy something different next time.

ah , that would make sense. when you load/unload it , do you put on one side at a time and adjust once its on there or just pick the whole thing up? im kinda smaller at 5'7 and 150lbs and lifting a 60lb kayak sounds like a mission.

someone recommended this paddle http://www.bendingbranches.com/whisper.php for something under $100 and didnt really have anything negative to say about it.

sorry for all the questions but im just trying to think of anything that may be an issue so i can save myself the headaches/embarrassment lol.

Mine (being a sit-in) only weighs 50 lbs, so I just pick the whole thing up and set it on the car and adjust it once it's there.

I'm not familiar with that paddle, but http://www.paddling.net has a pretty good review section for all manner of kayaks, canoes, paddle, PFD's, etc. That paddle only has 4 reviews on there, but they're all pretty positive...

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showAcc.html?cat=1

They're closed-cell and some even have a layer of rubber on the bottom to help them stay in place. I don't have a problem with them shifting around at all. Youmay need to adjust them a bit before you strap the yak in place, but that's really no big deal.

To be honest, I don't even remember what length paddle I use. It's a Carlisle Magic and I DON"T recommend it. It's a two-piece aluminum shaft model with a graphite ferrule. The shaft and ferrule expand at different rates so once it's together it won't come apart until it cools down. Pretty d**n irritating. Also, the point where the blade attaches to the shaft leaks, so the shaft will hold water and slowly leak it all out onto the floor in your garage/car/shop/apartment etc. Carlisle's fiberglass-shaft models ight be better, but I'll never know. I'll buy something different next time.

I assume you want to take it apart once your done kayaking.

Simple solution.  Plunge the joint into the water.  That will cool it down in a few seconds.

If it leaks into the shaft where the blade slides over the shaft, try some silicone sealer for tubs and showers.

A quicker, but more obvious fix is a few wraps of electrical tape stretched and wrapped around the joint.  Being underwater will not affect its integrity.

I know they're not difficult problems to remedy, I was just explaining to sqhertz why I wouldn't recommend that particular paddle.

Mine (being a sit-in) only weighs 50 lbs, so I just pick the whole thing up and set it on the car and adjust it once it's there.

the one im looking at is a used SOT pelican castaway that dicks sporting goods seems to always have specials on. from what ive read, it seems to be the heaviest in its size 'class' as well.

oh well , whats a few dents and scratches here and there?

Sqhertz, I've got an extra Pelican kayak carrier setup like I linked to above with the foam blocks and straps, NIB. It's yours if you want it. PM me your address and I'll get it out ASAP.

Sqhertz, I've got an extra Pelican kayak carrier setup like I linked to above with the foam blocks and straps, NIB. It's yours if you want it. PM me your address and I'll get it out ASAP.

hold onto it for now. im still cleaning out things trying to put funds together for the yak. when i get closer to getting it , ill let you know. thanks alot for the offer though.

No problem. I got a killer deal on them so I bought two so I'd have an extra set of blocks...but the second one has just been collecting dust down in the basement.

Anyway, it's yours when/if you want it. Let me know when you're ready and I'll put it in the mail.

so did you get a kayak yet? what kind?

I just bought a kayak for fishing in.  I got a Predator K111.   I am PUMPED and ready for warm water...I live in MD and we are getting blasted with snow.  I don't think Spring is ever going to come.  Anyone have advice on sonar?  I really don't know what I need to spend.  Any thoughts would be amazing.  And to the guy who is asking about putting on the roof, just get some foam, and strap it to the roof.  I put mine up on the roof of my civic, and it's just fine.

its not a kayak, it is a 14' fiberglass and alum canoe.. but this will be my primary transportation for it until I figure out some sort of mount for the roof of my 04 Durango

Smith, where did you get your K111 yak?