big yak small car-- roofrak!?! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

socalyaker556 · 02-21-2014, 12:14 PM

whats up guys i dont post eneough on here its hard to get my yak on the water cuz i have a small car (civic-4dr) so i am tired of not eing able to fish every weekend so i was curious is anyone has put a big yak on there small car i have a malibu xtreme 15' and i believe it weighs around 60lbs but its longer then my whole car! i plan on getting a thule roof rack or similar just wanna see if any else does the same woth their small car??? thanks guys

Dannowar · 02-21-2014, 12:23 PM

I've had friends do soft surf racks and Thule racks. Wasn't too difficult either way. If money's an issue you could always check out play it again sports as well. Got a decent set of racks for less than 100 bucks

socalyaker556 · 02-21-2014, 12:39 PM

ok kool. i know that the rack itself can take the weight but it was just the overall size of it that has me questioning. im gunna look into getting the thule rack. i need to fish!!! thanks man

jorluivil · 02-21-2014, 12:42 PM

I used to carry a Outback on a 2 door civic, just add bow and stern lines and you're good to go.

Dave k · 02-21-2014, 01:16 PM

You'll be fine. I used to carry a trident 15 on a Mazda 3 and have a buddy with the same yak on a Prius. Like someone said, add bow and stern lines and you're set.

jaws197 · 02-21-2014, 01:22 PM

I carry my Hobie Outback on a rack on top of my Ford Focus, Like the others with a bow and stern tie down along with two straps in the center.

bassmanben · 02-21-2014, 01:29 PM

I don't anymore since I have a subaru, but when I had my old 2 door pontiac coupe I used the soft racks. I wouldn't have any specific fear of putting racks on a small car, the concern would be more about wind/air resistance and handling of the car with a 70lb yak on top. Some days i used to drive over the top of the hill and the wind would be blowing 40+ and that kayak on top would shake the cr*p out of my car. So it really depends on what you're doing, where you're driving, etc.

NEEFFF · 02-21-2014, 03:39 PM

I transport my kayak w/ my 1994 civic hatchback, So you should be fine w/ a sedan!!

socalyaker556 · 02-21-2014, 03:57 PM

awesome thanks guys for the photos helped alot i jave no doubt in my mind ill be just fine lol cant wait to het on the water

MrPatrick · 02-21-2014, 03:58 PM

The yak us as long as the car. I use front and rear tie downs to minimize yaw in crosswinds and unwanted upward pitch at freeway speeds.

MrPukaShell · 02-21-2014, 04:00 PM

I have a Stealth 14 that I slap on top on my 3 door Ford Focus. No issues at all and much better gas mileage than the V12 in the Van.

addicted2sp33d · 02-21-2014, 04:33 PM

This is our Tandem on my wife's Beetle... you will be fine.

incxalx · 02-21-2014, 04:52 PM

I also have a 4 door Honda civic09. I have Yakima roof racks with a loner boat loader. Its not the easiest especially by myself, but it does the job. My yak is also bigger than my car and it's 55 pounds.

CKallday71 · 02-21-2014, 06:01 PM

Big yak on a little car.... Big yak on a little car.... (Tomyboy reference)

alanw · 02-21-2014, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addicted2sp33d

This is our Tandem on my wife's Beetle... you will be fine.

Did you actually drill a hole in the Beetle for an I-Bolt, and if so why didn't you put it in the middle? I mean, what's to keep the yak from twisting a few feet towards and past the tie-down should the roof straps loosen?

sasha · 02-21-2014, 06:32 PM

He didn't drill a hole its there for towing if the car stuck in the snow or mud... Most European cars have it.

easyday · 02-21-2014, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socalyaker556

whats up guys i dont post eneough on here its hard to get my yak on the water cuz i have a small car (civic-4dr) so i am tired of not eing able to fish every weekend so i was curious is anyone has put a big yak on there small car i have a malibu xtreme 15' and i believe it weighs around 60lbs but its longer then my whole car! i plan on getting a thule roof rack or similar just wanna see if any else does the same woth their small car??? thanks guys

Big yak on a small car......dude as soon as I get my yak well get out.

addicted2sp33d · 02-21-2014, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanw

Did you actually drill a hole in the Beetle for an I-Bolt, and if so why didn't you put it in the middle? I mean, what's to keep the yak from twisting a few feet towards and past the tie-down should the roof straps loosen?

Yeah, the front bolt is a stock tow hook. That's why it's there.

If you look at the photos, you'll see yellow straps that run laterally. Those keep the kayak from sliding side to side.

The red straps at the front and the back are there to keep it from sliding forward and backward.

This rig is completely stable at 80mph.

dbrogdon5 · 02-21-2014, 08:09 PM

i carry my pro angler on top of my civic 4 door. yakima rack with Hully rollers and the saddle on the front

LakersFan · 02-21-2014, 08:50 PM

My kayak is several feet longer than my Jeep.

No problems with the tie downs but then again the little 4-banger does not allow me to go fast enough to truly test it.

The extra length of the kayak actually makes it easier to load. I just pad the hood with an old PFD and slide it on up.

02-21-2014, 12:14 PM	#1
socalyaker556 Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: socal Posts: 67	big yak small car-- roofrak!?! whats up guys i dont post eneough on here its hard to get my yak on the water cuz i have a small car (civic-4dr) so i am tired of not eing able to fish every weekend so i was curious is anyone has put a big yak on there small car i have a malibu xtreme 15' and i believe it weighs around 60lbs but its longer then my whole car! i plan on getting a thule roof rack or similar just wanna see if any else does the same woth their small car??? thanks guys

02-21-2014, 12:23 PM	#2
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	I've had friends do soft surf racks and Thule racks. Wasn't too difficult either way. If money's an issue you could always check out play it again sports as well. Got a decent set of racks for less than 100 bucks __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

02-21-2014, 12:42 PM	#4
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,855	I used to carry a Outback on a 2 door civic, just add bow and stern lines and you're good to go. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

02-21-2014, 08:09 PM	#19
dbrogdon5 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Yucaipa Posts: 192	hobie PA i carry my pro angler on top of my civic 4 door. yakima rack with Hully rollers and the saddle on the front

02-21-2014, 12:39 PM	#3
socalyaker556 Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: socal Posts: 67	ok kool. i know that the rack itself can take the weight but it was just the overall size of it that has me questioning. im gunna look into getting the thule rack. i need to fish!!! thanks man

02-21-2014, 01:16 PM	#5
Dave k Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 110	You'll be fine. I used to carry a trident 15 on a Mazda 3 and have a buddy with the same yak on a Prius. Like someone said, add bow and stern lines and you're set.

02-21-2014, 01:29 PM	#7
bassmanben Junior Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 19	I don't anymore since I have a subaru, but when I had my old 2 door pontiac coupe I used the soft racks. I wouldn't have any specific fear of putting racks on a small car, the concern would be more about wind/air resistance and handling of the car with a 70lb yak on top. Some days i used to drive over the top of the hill and the wind would be blowing 40+ and that kayak on top would shake the cr*p out of my car. So it really depends on what you're doing, where you're driving, etc.

02-21-2014, 03:57 PM	#9
socalyaker556 Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: socal Posts: 67	awesome thanks guys for the photos helped alot i jave no doubt in my mind ill be just fine lol cant wait to het on the water

02-21-2014, 03:58 PM	#10
MrPatrick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waiting to launch Posts: 1,381	The yak us as long as the car. I use front and rear tie downs to minimize yaw in crosswinds and unwanted upward pitch at freeway speeds.

02-21-2014, 04:33 PM	#12
addicted2sp33d Here fishy fishy fishy... Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 774	This is our Tandem on my wife's Beetle... you will be fine.

02-21-2014, 04:52 PM	#13
incxalx Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 47	I also have a 4 door Honda civic09. I have Yakima roof racks with a loner boat loader. Its not the easiest especially by myself, but it does the job. My yak is also bigger than my car and it's 55 pounds.

02-21-2014, 06:32 PM	#16
sasha Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 275	He didn't drill a hole its there for towing if the car stuck in the snow or mud... Most European cars have it.

02-21-2014, 08:50 PM	#20
LakersFan Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 92	My kayak is several feet longer than my Jeep. No problems with the tie downs but then again the little 4-banger does not allow me to go fast enough to truly test it. The extra length of the kayak actually makes it easier to load. I just pad the hood with an old PFD and slide it on up.