Kayak and dingy racks?

J

JMacLeod

New member
I've seen photos here and there, but haven't found any discussions yet on installing/making roof racks for the C-Dory.

The simplest idea I had so far was to install a couple of 12" grab handles on the edge of the roof to act as a kayak stop and attachment point for retaining straps.

I'd love to know what everyone's best solution has been for kayak and dingy roof holders?
Bonus points for links to photos in your album. :thup :mrgreen:
 
I have an inflatable Sea Eagle Fastrack 385ft tandem kayak. It is ~12' long and weighs only 32 pounds. Being so light allowed me to build a rack out of PVC piping bought from Lowe's. Because I have a solar panel on the cabin top located just behind a radar dome, I had to elevate the kayak over both. You can see photos of the rack in my photo album, I believe in the Projects sub-album. The rack works wonderfully. It's easy to put on when we take the kayak with us and the boat doesn't move an inch. I use 2 rachet straps across the kayak to hold it down, plus a line from the bow to the bow cleat on the boat. The cross bar on the rack rolls which makes it easier to load and unload the boat since otherwise the material of the kayak sticks to the PVC and easily won't slide. The cross bar is one piece of tubing inside another and I just put a small screw hole thru one side of both that I can put a screw into to prevent rolling when loaded. By the way, I highly recommend the Fastrack 385ft. It is a wonderful kayak for 1 or 2 people. It's fast and stable, carrys a good load, and tracks quite well.

Rob
 
We bought an inexpensive roof rack (universal fit) at Walmart and connected the cross beams to the hand-rails on the roof...

WB1e.jpg

WB2e.jpg

I use J-hook racks, but found the one for the Hobie kayak wasn't a good fit; so, we used one set of J-hooks and put pool noodles on the cross beams for the Hobie to sit on. This kept the kayks off the roof (no scratches).

With an inflatable dinghy, we just set it on the roof and ran quick rachet straps over the dinghy and connected to the hand-rails.

Anything that takes a lot of set up or fuss won't get used as often.

Hope that helps.
 
RobMcClain":33irf6gg said:
I use 2 ratchet straps across the kayak to hold it down,
Click to expand...

I don't have a dinghy, but I do use ratchet straps. They are available in stainless steel (mechanism) if you are in saltwater. The hooks may still be rubber coated steel, which can wear through and rust depending on how rough of use they get. The SS ones will last years, although the nylon straps may have to be replaced. Nothing more frustrating than a corroded ratchet that won't spin while you are balancing on the side of the boat.

Mark
 
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