Rooftop Kayak Rack

I know there has been a lot of discussion regarding carrying a kayak on the cabin top. I’ve done several searches but haven’t found the info I’m looking for. While I have a Cutwater 30 Sedan, my question pertains to most Cutwaters and Ranger Tugs since most of us have a solar panel on the cabin top that is mounted on 2 stainless steel rails of 1” diameter. I want to put a kayak up on the rails but I want to mount it horizontally, not vertically. I’ve found several different types of roof racks, but often they require mounting to rectangular bars, sometimes proprietary ones, as opposed to being able to mount on round bars. I’ve found one rack that mounts on a round bar, but the customer reviews indicate the individual cradles are prone to movement on a round bar - and on a boat there is going to be a lot of movement!

I know many folks mount kayaks up on the roof and I’d appreciate any feedback on the type of carrier used. Comments regarding pros & cons in style, manufacturer, etc…, and particular recommendations, would all be most appreciated. Thanks!

Rob

I have inflatable kayaks that I stack horizontal directly to the factory bars. To make tying easier, I am using the Yakima BigStacker to run my webbing from center of Tug to outside rail. If your kayaks are hard shell, this should work as long as you don’t crank the straps down. Use the shape of the hull to avoid movement fore and aft.

I should clarify, my kayak is also an inflatable, a Sea Eagle FastTrack. It is roughly 12’ long and weighs ~34 pounds. I had thought about putting it directly on the stainless bars but my concern is the kayak will stick to the bars, thereby making it difficult to move. My plan is to launch (and retrieve) the kayak from the bow of my Cutwater so that means it will need to slide over both bars. Perhaps my assumption of sticking is wrong?

Rob

I’ve never experienced it sticking. Not a problem.

Just slice a pool noodle down it's length and cut sections of it as wide as you want coverage of the rails. Snap it over and a couple wraps of duct tape keep them attached

Hi I have a Ranger 25OB and previously R23OB. We originally had 11'6" hard paddle boards. I had the yakima sweetroll kayak saddles and roller on one side of the boat. On the other side I had the hand roll kayak mounts and the same saddles as the sweetroll uses. On both styles of mounts, I had the rollers mounted on the stern bar and the saddles forward. Only issue with the sweetroll mounts. The rollers are made to go off the back of a vehicle, so the board/kayak would be at a 15 degree angle coming on or off of the back of the vehicle for the rollers to engage. This makes them limited use on the tugs, as you cannot get the angle when the board comes off the stern due to the canvass cover and frame at the stern.The hand roll mounts solve this issue. I love the hand roll mounts and the saddles as it makes loading way easier. The hard body paddle boards we have are heavier and cumbersome. Due to the smaller diameter of the stainless bars on the ranger tug. i purchased 1" heater hose to go over the bar and the mounts fit over the heater hose and clamp on normally. Any automotive store carries the 1" heater hose Running this system for the last 3 years. would recommend the yakima hand roll and saddles. We are currently using inflatable paddle boards. But use the same mounts. If you need pictures PM me.

Cheers
Glenn

We have two Hobie Revolution 11 that we put upside down on top of the sport rack. One is to starboard of the solar panel and the other to Port. We modified the sport rack to keep the rear of the kayaks from resting on the bimini top ( see attached photo). Not been in any rough conditions yet, but it seems sturdy.

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This is helpful - where did you buy parts and supplies for the 1-inch stainless system? Is there a brand that is recommended or that Ranger uses?

Does anyone know the strength of the factory stainless roof rack? I have a 21-foot surfski - it's carbon fiber and only weighs 30 lbs. Its long and rigid and the torsional stress on the factory rack worries me.

Any thoughts or ideas?

thanks.

I purchased the stainless steel elbows and rail parts from Fisheries supply. We put 3,000 miles on the boat last year with both kayaks on top. Most of this was from Anacortes to Glacier Bay Alaska and back. We had some rough water for sure, but they rode well. They each weigh~60lbs

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Fishmagnet":2numjwet said:

I purchased the stainless steel elbows and rail parts from Fisheries supply. We put 3,000 miles on the boat last year with both kayaks on top. Most of this was from Anacortes to Glacier Bay Alaska and back. We had some rough water for sure, but they rode well. They each weigh~60lbs

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Super helpful! I appreciate the first-hand experience and knowledge!