Outback roof rack help
 

I have Malone universal roof rack for Ford Fusion with square tubing and fat pool noodles for padding. When I picked up my new to me Outback I realize the bottom is not flat like my Vibe is. I did manage to use tie downs to secure it without flipping it over to sit on the gunnels. But transporting it without flipping is this ok? Do I have to flip it over or do I need to look into carriers such as Rhino-Rack or other saddles. Those Thule hella's are rather pricey and prefer not to go down that road. Thanks for the help.

Hobie recommends flipping it over.

Heck, that's what I did with all my kayaks from Widernesss to Malibus. My PA goes on a trailer though.

Flipping over works only if you don't have any item projecting above the side of the kayak.

Like a fish finder bracket, or a rod holder base.

The only problem I had with having the kayak in the "v" shape carrier, was the bolts of the carrier ding the roof.

For the new car I am getting the Thule Hullavator.

Thanks for late replies but I ended ordering me some saddles.

Saddles are your best best anyways. They give maximum support and hold for your kayak.

100+

BUT, for those that cant swing the cost of saddles or another kayak specific accessory, there is absolutely nothing wrong with transporting your boat upside down on a (basically) bare rack IF YOU STRAP IT DOWN CORRECTLY.

Two cinch straps in an upside down basket rig, and a safety strap for longer distances and I've never had a problem in my almost 10 years paddling...

Saddles are not the best option. They are the easiest option.

The best way is to have a roof rack extender (you can make your own) and having the kayak upside down on 3 or more padded crossbars. You can also add a T bar to your hitch if you have one. The top deck sides of a kayak are much stronger than the bottom.

I used to carry my Tarpon 140 upright on saddles. This is a kayak that is lighter and has thicker plastic on the bottom than the Hobies. On hot days where the kayak sat for a while on the saddles you could see indentations. They would mostly fix themselves but I started noticing that it would no longer track straight.

This probably wouldn't be noticeable on Hobies or other kayaks with rudders but that's my observation. Personally, if anything is going to get dented, I would rather it be the top instead of the bottom so it doesn't affect performance.

Btw. I even had a Hullavator at one point. Still carried my yaks upside down on it lol

I used to roll around in a 99 civic and a 2006 honda with roof racks and I always preferred to have it secured upside down, it's far more secure that way.

I use these on my Ford Focus with a Hobie Outback


https://www.thule.com/en-gb/au/sport...nd-set-_-13706


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