Easy one person method to load kayak on SUV without scratching

Kayak Hacks Fishing

SUVs have a high profile and some kayaks are pretty dang heavy. My fishing buddy, Dick, came up with this very simple way to load his kayak on top of his SUV by himself. All you need is a rubberized rug remnant. Follow on Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/103521207406221518268/+KayakhacksFishing High quality, low-cost spinning rods and reels from Cadence Fishing: http://tinyurl.com/cadencefishing 10% discount code for Cadence: kayakhacks-10off *Note - Cadence link is an affiliate link, and I told Cadence to take anything earned through that link and apply it to their mission of giving free rods/reels to kids charities. Let's get kids fishing! #GoFishingGiveBack Steve's CatchGuide series of fishing books available on Amazon: Wade and Shoreline Fishing the Potomac River for Smallmouth Bass - http://amzn.to/1FwhvjG Maryland Trout Fishing - http://amzn.to/1L0fAEb Wade Fishing the Rappahannock River of Virginia - http://amzn.to/1L0fFb8 Wade Fishing the Rapidan River of Virginia - http://amzn.to/1L0fH2z Wade Fishing the North Branch of the Potomac - http://amzn.to/1ViIzK7 Read Steve's columns in: Southern Trout Magazine - http://www.southerntrout.com/ Southern Kayak Fishing - http://www.sokayakfishing.com/ Liability Disclaimer and Warning: In short, you accept all risk of using any ideas presented in this video. Do not apply any suggestion if it will ruin the appearance, function or structural integrity of your kayak. You are solely responsible to determine if the ideas expressed are appropriate for your boat and we disclaim any responsibility for your actions and decisions. Nothing in this video creates any expressed or implied warranty or guarantees a result. You are responsible for the safe operation of tools and any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of those tools or from the information contained in this video is 100% your responsibility. We shall not be held liable in any way or manner for errors, misleading or incorrect information. If you find an error, please notify us right away using the contact form for the channel. It goes without saying that fishing is dangerous as a result of the fast water, slick rocks and other hazards that occur at random, unexpected places. You need to exercise caution, particularly in the spring when the water is high or during rapid changes in tide, before you fish anywhere. You should always wear a life vest when fishing. In addition, a wading staff will help you keep your balance as you walk on the shoreline or wade. The bottom line is that you must make your own judgment in terms of acceptable behavior and risk and not rely on the opinions expressed here. The regulations governing legal access to fishing locations may change at any time and it is your responsibility to understand the law. Nothing expressed should be construed as encouraging you to trespass on private property or violate a regulation.

Easy one person method to load kayak on SUV without scratching 564 23

Kayak 8 years ago 135,182 views

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shamanic1 - 6 years ago

Hey Hackster! I Love the idea...LOVE IT! May I suggest two "helpers"? OK. (Ouch! says the poor scuffed kayak...) 1) Place the kayak, lying flat, but skewed off, to the "lee" side of the bumper ("Push to breeze, Grasshopper - presenting gift. Breeze is smiling..."). Put a yoga mat ("sticky"), folded, x3, just touching the stern, where it meets the pavement. 2) put a microfiber cloth on each of the two sides of your kayak rack saddle (slippery). Walk the bow up, over your head. The stern will grab onto the yoga mat. Side-step, raising arms high, and the yak swings back , into squareness, and over the lip of the roof (with welcome mat). With a try, or two, you will decide how to guestimate the angle of the kayak, on the ground, such that your quick "lift and swing", lands the bow - just the right distance - overhanging the edge of the roof. Now rest the bow on the loader. Walk back to the stern and heave 'er up, and forward. The rack rollers "do their thing", BUT, when the kayak reaches the saddle(s), it slips over the cloths, like an omelet, over teflon! No wrestling, while standing on a step-stool! Once you like the kayak's placement, rock the kayak, to and fro, to get each cloth free. You do NOT want low-friction, at the contact points, as you drive down the highway! (You knew that, KHF, but each student is at his own place on the shining path...) "BONG-G-G-G!!" Now Go... ;-)

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

Great ideas. I pinned your comment to the top.

The Donald - 6 years ago

I pretend to have hurt my back fishing and ask the ladies to do it..works evertime...but im very handsome

davisdelo - 6 years ago

i just use a towel, works great

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

Great idea!

Jimmy Flex - 6 years ago

Just a suggestion. I noticed you have a front strap on your kayak. You can put some rope on that front strap before the kayak is placed so it can make it easier to pull the kayak forward when adjusting the kayak on the roof of your SUV. Awesome video! Thanks for sharing!

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

Good idea! Thanks

Anton Bouchette - 6 years ago

I have slid my girlfriend across the carpet more than once.

Chantell Kenny - 6 years ago

What type or kayak rack is used for holding it? I have the same vehicle in the video. I can't lift my kayak by myself. Excellent idea, I scratch the roof every time, and I always have help.

shannon k - 6 years ago

if this is a height problem, maybe keep a little folding step stool in the back of your suv.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

You are welcome. Thanks for the kind words.

Chantell Kenny - 6 years ago

See what happens when you actually read all threads... found the answer and love that you added the link. Thank you so much for making this video. Will be trying it out this weekend. I watched a ton of videos and yours hands down is the simplelest, cheapest and works from what I've read! Thanks again.

Kevin Albers - 6 years ago

I picked up a 6 pack of the interlocking exercise mats from Walmart for about $10. I put two on the trunk of my car and one on the ground for the tail end. Worth every bit of $10 and I still have a whole spare set!

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

That is a great idea, thanks!

David Ryder - 6 years ago

Been doing it this way for years with my poly boat...but this week I'm picking up a nice new Eddyline Fathom and I'll need a better way. This method scratches the crap out of the end of the boat that remains on the ground when you lift. If you watch, from about 0:36 - 0:40, the front of his boat is being scraped against the concrete with a fair amount of force due to the lifting angle.

Maybe I'll try coming up with something that can be placed under that end to protect it. It needs to be something that won't allow the boat to slide off, obviously.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

Great idea!

OldWhitebelly - 6 years ago

With my wooden boats, I put a large floppy plastic bucket over the end of the boat that is going to be touching the ground. As long as the bucket itself isn't hard enough to damage your boat, you'll be fine.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

The simple things always work best.

wisenber - 6 years ago

I've been loading my kayaks using a bath mat on the vehicle and a square piece of closed cell foam under the stern for years. I place the square piece of foam where I think my stern will need to be behind the SUV, walk the bow onto the bathmat, then rest the stern on the foam. Once there, the weight pins the kayak (unless it's really windy) to the foam on the ground.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

I love the sleeve idea!

David Ryder - 6 years ago

I have several rubbery floor tiles leftover from a room build and I grabbed one yesterday and tested it with my recreational boat. It worked okay but, as expected, didn't offer enough friction to prop the boat against the back of the car and take my hands off. The boat started sliding out and I had to grab it. I'll come up with something. Your yoga mat idea has merit, especially since I plan to make a kind of 'sleeve' into which I can insert the stern of my boat, so I don't have to worry about the boat moving off the pad while I'm wrassling the other end.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

Maybe get one of those $7 yoga mats from Walmart?

Keith L - 6 years ago

Good demonstration, good idea, simple and easy!!! Good job!!

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

It works!

10. comment for Easy one person method to load kayak on SUV without scratching

McCall Web Design - 6 years ago

Thank you! I've been shopping for loading gadgets and found this video. Trying this first :)

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

It's quick!

ArbitraryLifestyle - 6 years ago

Ugh, I wish my kayak only weighed 70lbs.

wisenber - 6 years ago

If the stern is sitting on a piece of foam on the ground and you lift the bow onto the bath mat, you only have to lift half the weight. Once the kayak is balance on the back of the SUV, just walk it up. You won't need to lift the entire weight.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

That's the key reason I do not want one of those pedal hobies

Jay Oliver - 6 years ago

Just installed the kayak rack and looked for ideas on how to load and unload the kayak. There are so many "loading systems" out there. This is so simple. I tried it and it worked great. As long as my wife don't miss the welcome mat, I should be ok. LOL. Thanks

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

Just tell folks not to visit!

Greg S - 6 years ago

What type of kayak rack do you have on top there? I need one of those. Please advise!

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

This is my fishing buddy. He told me his rack was made by Malone.

Freedom Talk Media - 6 years ago

This is by far, the simplest idea I have seen. So many contraptions out there.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

Rug remnants are cheap!

Jared Hughett - 6 years ago

Ah yes great minds think alike. Been loading this way for years.

retrodog63 - 6 years ago

Then why the hell didn't you make a video? :p

Marianne Leavitt - 6 years ago

This LITERALLY saved me at least $75.00..... Tyty

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 6 years ago

Hooray! More money to spend on things you really need!

Apollo Prospector - 7 years ago

Thank you so much for this. I've seen so many other complicated and expensive methods, but this is by far the simplest and probably cheapest solution I've seen. I'm going to try using a golf mat with astro turf.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Anything with a rubber base will work.

Jack McSwain - 7 years ago

Probably the best tip I've watched. At my age I need all the help I can get.
Thanks so much.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

As we get older, we need some help!

jethrowomber - 7 years ago

yep my astro van is tall a.f. this will be so much fun

20. comment for Easy one person method to load kayak on SUV without scratching

ArmadilloPepper.com - 7 years ago

Excellent, simple approach that works.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

My fishing buddy figured this out - I just did the video :-)

unrealhit88 - 7 years ago

There was a crab that was next to the kayak lol

boozled86 - 6 years ago

unrealhit88 LOL good spot

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

An escapee! We were fishing with fiddler crabs that day :-)

McScott76 - 7 years ago

I used to do this with my Trailblazer, and it was very easy. Unfortunately I just switched to a Durango that has the radio antenna directly in the middle of the back of the vehicle, right above the back hatch. I really liked my $30 foam block solution.... but looks like I'm going to have to resort to shelling out $150 for a j-hook setup.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Ouch!

rod22lt - 7 years ago

Thanks for the vid. I did that exact thing last summer on my equinox and it works well but watch out for side gusts of wind when bringing the kayak up...I've had my kayak nearly fall off. (Mine is 49lbs) and one time, I forgot the mat on the back and luckily, looked in the mirror as it blew off on the hwy :b

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Great tip! Thanks

Bepe Gabianni - 7 years ago

try that and see what happens to your back...FAIL

Get Off Your Bass And Lets Fish - 7 years ago

Does your kayak have a small wheel on it or is it a rudder? That's cheating lol

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

This is my friend's yak. It does have a small wheel and I am jealous of that feature!

Joe DiSantis - 7 years ago

Nice idea made easier with HIS cradle rack rooftop system though.His cradle allows it to steer straight ahead.My kayak system is a bit more flat /gradual curvature and more prone to get pushed over or off of it on one side.Not a crashing good result for my rack system.I ll try to raise one side and angle it to perhaps allow for this same loading result for 1 person.My kayak weighs 74 lbs.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

74 lbs is a lot. I hope you can make it work

Fred Fable - 7 years ago

Bad Ass trick!!!
Excellent!!!

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Simple stuff works best!

Jay TheBLade - 7 years ago

Thanks for the video!! I've never car topped before, now I have to as I just bought a Toyota RAV4. I got the factory roof rack with cross bars,,,what sort of cradling system is that in the video? I like this idea, just cover the back edge and slide it up.

Laura Bowman - 6 years ago

is your antenna in the center on the back?

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Thanks for the idea!

McScott76 - 7 years ago

I use $15 foam blocks that have slits cut into them for carrying canoes on your car top. Those slits allow me to position the blocks over my factory luggage cross bars on my Trailblazer. Trailblazers have weird shaped factory cross bars (kind of rounded and at slight angle). So it's difficult to find a mounting system that works. I had originally planned to upgrade to a more permanent solution, but none of the ones at Cabelas, Field & Stream or Dick's would attach to my cross bars correctly. The foam blocks are easy to place onto my rack and can be easily removed after each use. once everything is strapped down, they're not going anywhere. The whole thing cost me about $40 including the straps, and I'm perfectly content to keep transporting this way.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

+Jay TheBLade Same to you!

Jay TheBLade - 7 years ago

Ok, thanks for that!! I wasn't sure how people are able to get them loaded on top of a roof and then turn them on their sides and lift them into a J bracket. That seems like.....work. lol. I like the looks of this. Happy Paddling!

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

The video shows my buddy loading his SUV. I put my yak on a truck. He told me his system was made by a company called "Malone." He has a truck now and no longer has the rack. But... I think it is this system: http://amzn.to/2btGta5

Santiago Zamora - 7 years ago

good method, I'll try it the next time

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Simple stuff is best.

30. comment for Easy one person method to load kayak on SUV without scratching

Ender Bean - 7 years ago

What kayak rack system are you using in the video? Thanks!

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

+Ender Bean He still has it and needs to get rid of it if you live near Wilmington, NC :-)

Ender Bean - 7 years ago

Great. Thanks!

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Just heard back... the rack was made by Malone.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

This was my fishing buddy, not me. I do not know what he used - he sold the car and got a truck. I'll see if can find out

XxsanityxX - 7 years ago

Thank you very much, I feel that this video needs way more likes and views.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Thanks... simple is always best

lyn perk - 7 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwFxPcPT-9M

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Did you make a video on how you made it? Depending on the complexity of the construction, I might be able to fit it into my Kayak Hacks column in Southern Kayak Fishing.... I only get 1,000 words per issue.

lyn perk - 7 years ago

thanks

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Whoa! That is amazing!!

lyn perk - 7 years ago

homemade

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

This is pretty neat! Is that a commercial product? If so, can you reply with the link so people no where to get it? Thanks!

Poly Niki - 7 years ago

Hi, how heavy is the kayak in this video?

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Glad to help, I just did the video, this is my fishing buddy in the vid and he came up with the solution. I'll pass your compliment on to him.

McScott76 - 7 years ago

I've used this same process on my kayak since I bought it. Mine is a 65 lb 11' boat with a skeg wheel on the back. My biggest issue is getting the boat upright to be able to slide up the back. The boat constantly wants to run away from me on the wheel. It didn't occur to me until watching this video that I could just turn the boat around and stand it up on its nose. I might try that next time. Thanks for the informative video.

Poly Niki - 7 years ago

Thank you for the info. Very useful video. The video gave me the impression that the Kayak is much lighter than that, so the method seems to be very effective indeed!

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

It is a Native Manta Ray and weighs 69 pounds. My buddy rests the back of the kayak on the ground and lifts the front to put on the carpet, then lifts the back to push it onto the top of his SUV. So... I guess you are lifting maybe 40 lbs at a time.

Mary Ann Miller-Mackey - 7 years ago

You arre quite tall. Any tips for short people?

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Wow! Great solution1

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

Not sure. This is my buddy doing this on his SUV. He seems to keep a grip on everything. Maybe you shoudl hold onto a strap attached to the tail?

Adrian Jacobs - 7 years ago

I've tried this technique but I found that, once I've got the nose of the kayak up on to the car roof, the tail wants to slip away on the ground. How can I stop that happening? I'm about to buy a new taller suv and am worried that I won't get my hobie outback on to it.

McScott76 - 7 years ago

I've used this rug trick ever since I brought my kayak home from the store. I still use just foam blocks and straps attached to my factory roof rack on a Chevy Trailblazer. I'm only 5'8" but can get my 60 lb, 11' kayak onto my roof with minimal effort. All I do is run the boat up the back of the SUV, sliding it over the rug. When it gets to a high enough point, the weight of the front of the boat starts to tip it forward. I just align it so it's centered on the first foam block. I then lift up on the back of the boat until it's over my head and slide it forward over the first block to the second. Lastly, I step up on the back bumper and make any final adjustments before strapping down. The whole process takes less than five minutes and I'm on my way.

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

+Christina Miller That's what I call 'using your head!" :-)

Christina Miller - 7 years ago

I haven't tried this yet, but I use an old exercise stepper and balance the boat on my head before pushing forward. :)

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

+Mary Ann Miller Ouch!

Mary Ann Miller-Mackey - 7 years ago

Yes, the Thule side loader is about $600

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

+Mary Ann Miller I have seen other solutions that cost a bit of money that allow you to load from the side... kind of like winches.

Mary Ann Miller-Mackey - 7 years ago

My boats are less than 12 ft and I'm less than 5 ft. with a Chevy Tahoe. I have to climb on top to load. Not so much fun anymore. Even with my arms over my head, that won't work :(

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 7 years ago

+Mary Ann Miller This should work for shorts, but if too short, just take one of those very small plastic collapsable one-step step stools and put that near the bumper. Step up to complete the load. :-)

Go Outside - 8 years ago

smart!

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 8 years ago

+Joycee B I will let him know you like it.

Go Outside - 8 years ago

+Kayak Hacks Fishing it really is! I just bought a kayak and searched youtube for all the ideas. there's so many complicated expensive systems out there, and this idea seems so logical and easy!

Kayak Hacks Fishing - 8 years ago

+Joycee B Dick (pictured) is a retired Army Sergeant Major from the 82nd Airborne... not much gets by him :-) It is a great, simple way to do it!

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