DIY kayak lift assist? Hullavator?

[Hunters Pa]

After loading a PA14 on top of my GMC Envoy (about 7 ft height on racks)and hurting my Achilles I carpeted a couple 2x4s and added a ladder hook to each so I could slide the kayak up easier by myself. It helps a lot, but I ended up getting a trailer for the PA.

I think the hitch-mounted Tbar would be a good bet. You could use the rollers to get the first yak loaded and then flip it into the J racks.

[oredith]

Now i just need to clear enough of the garage out to get my welder out, and then reclaim my CO^2 tank from my kegerator.

I will say this. it warms my heart to know that i'm not the only one that struggles with manhandling the kayaks..

[Hunters Pa]

Originally Posted by oredith

Now i just need to clear enough of the garage out to get my welder out, and then reclaim my CO^2 tank from my kegerator.

I will say this. it warms my heart to know that i'm not the only one that struggles with manhandling the kayaks..

Yeah, it may not seem that bad when you are loading up, excited about going out the next day. But when you get back and are tired from a day on the water it is a different story.

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by Hunters Pa

Yeah, it may not seem that bad when you are loading up, excited about going out the next day. But when you get back and are tired from a day on the water it is a different story.

Same with me. I NEVER have problems loading up to head out. It's always at the end of a long day, when I'm dog tired, and its breezy outside. LOL

This is the exact reason I tell every newbie to make sure you have comfortable handle the boat dry. It's a PITA to load after a day's worth of paddling....



OH, I absolutely HATED loading loading the Malibu yak. It was an absolute barge both on land and in the sea....

[oredith]

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

OH, I absolutely HATED loading loading the Malibu yak. It was an absolute barge both on land and in the sea....

are the Malibus more difficult than others? they seem to be "relatively" light compared to other comparable length kayaks?

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by oredith

are the Malibus more difficult than others? they seem to be "relatively" light compared to other comparable length kayaks?

I had a really hard time managing mine when I had it. I think it has a lot to do with the 14'+ length and the 33ish" width. Any boat that size is going to be awkward as heck to lift after a long and breezy day....

[Denis_Ruso]

I got the Hullivator last year and its has made loading up solo an option.

The system takes a number of trips to get used to but is really not meant for heavy kayaks.

I really love the system since my Revo is on the lighter side. One of the things I as always worried about is pulling my back due to the awkward size and weight of kayaks. So only lifting to waist level really prevents your back from getting into weird positions with all that weight. Works for me but it sure wasn't cheap.