Best Inflatable Kayak Rack CW30?

[Shano]

I would like to store our Aquaglide Inflatable Tandem kayak on our roof rack. I have spoken to Rack Attack here in Vancouver and they are telling me that the Yakima Jayhook is probably the best one though I would have to modify the railings to make them a bigger diameter (they are 1” and the rack needs 1.5” apparently). I am thinking that strengthening the rack by adding a crossbar or two might be a good idea also - the kayak is 35 pounds but with wave action etc... Anybody else storing their kayak on their CW30? Thanks for any comments. Also, with the VHF antenna on the starboard side I guess I will just have to live with loosening the VHF antenna and bring it down to parallel and then lever the kayak up one end at a time.

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

I don't have a C30, but I did replace the original sportsrack on a R27-OB when it did not allow me to install a cargo basket. I upgraded the stainless steel bars to 1" diameter with 1/8" walls, using a "post and beam" configuration, I not only raised the system to clear the faux smoke stack, but I also extended the horizontal bars 6" on either side for 12" more width.

I was able to install my Yakima cargo basket on the starboard (trying to offset the Ranger port list), kept the solar panel at the center of the boat, and added Yakima Jay-Low kayak rack on the port. I have a Sea Eagle 385 FT, weighs 38# and is a 12'-6" long, 2-person kayak.

Knowing Yakima's rack clamp is too big for 1" diameter bars, I first wrapped bars with silicone strips. They rotated under load. Then I went to silicone self-fusing tape (fuses to itself but not to the bar), pulling it tight and wrapping enough to make clamps tight. It's been over 6 months and no slippage.

It wasn't a quick solution or a cheap solution, but I feel it was the best solution for my purposes. I've gotten a number of compliments on how it turned out.

If you PM me your email I'll send you some pics.

 

[Godspeed]

We store a 14, sea kayak with rudder on our C30. We used Thule saddles instead of J racks to keep the bridge height down as well as windage. I bought 1” clear tubing, sliced it and put it over the factory tubing. This works great as a “spacer” for the Thule and Yakama accessories. We use it for coastal trips but I would not feel comfortable on a longer open water crossing in the event waves were to exceed 4’. Anyway, it works out very well for us.

 

[Shano]

Thanks for the ideas, Doghouse and Godspeed. Food for thought. I’ll post what I eventually decide upon.

 

[Shano]

I added a photo of our kayak on the Yakima J-Hook Rack. I will see how easy it is to load when anchored!