Kayak Carrying

[Tugowharf]

This may not technically be a technical issue for the technical forum, but it will probably get technical, so here goes: What's the best way to get 2 kayaks on and off my Ranger Tug? My wife and I are both fit and capable of heaving the things in and out of the water. That's pure speculation since we've never done it before. I'm planning 2 weeks in the San Juan Islands starting this Wednesday. I'd love to take my 2 plastic sea kayaks. I've done kayaking there before but always carried them on my camper. This will be different. I'd prefer not to heave them in and out of the water, straight up the side of the boat. It sounds like a recipe in frustration, with the kayaking bashing the side of the Teri May and the real Teri May wondering why she agreed to all this adventure while trying desperately to hang on the the bow of the kayak as we attempt to get it onto the roof. Any easy solutions out there? I'm not looking for a roof mounted crane. I do see these boats on top of these boats so I know there's some sharp Ranger Tug owner that has it all worked out. Thanks for staying with me this long.

 

[bradcarolR29S]

We have two Hobie Mirage Drive sport kayaks that we carried on our 25SC. To load and unload, I would climb up on the cabin roof, attach a line to the bow of the kayak. My wife would help guide the kayaks from the cockpit while I lifted them onto their respective rack and secured them. They are about three meters long and around 22 Kg. Not a particularly elegant procedure but it worked. With our new R29S, the rack is narrower than the 25, so I have added two short sections of stainless steel tubing on both sides of the stack to accommodate them forward of the solar panel. Loading and unloading will be similar to before.
Brad and Carol

 

[pleeson]

My wife and I attach a line to one end of the kayak and then I pull it up through the bow pulpit where she can also get involved and take one end while I walk the other aft till I can put it on the bow most cradle. I then shinny down the rail until I can use one hand to lift it further aft onto the stern most cradle, reposition, and then continue till we have it properly entered fore and aft. All this time my wife gets to work comfortably from the bow deck. Seems most energy efficient and as low risk as we can make it without a davit. We reverse the procedure to launch - don't forget to attach a line before you start lowering it from the bow pulpit.

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Agree with this approach. I put them on and off by myself by pulling them over the bow railing near the pulpit. Takes some getting used to, but once you have them up they are easy to slide onto your racks. I put a roller cradle (Yakima) on the forward rack to make this easier and a standard cradle on the rear rack. I climb up onto the cabin roof to tie them off. I put no-slip tape strips on the roof to keep from chewing myself up on the solar panel, which is pretty sharp.

 

[Tugowharf]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It seems that the most significant piece of equipment required for the procedure is a wife. It's a good thing I already have one of those. Along with a piece of rope and a good back, both of which I also have, I should be able to get the job done. Thanks again.

 

[bradcarolR29S]

For those interested I have posted some pics of my rack additions to carry our two Mirage Sport kayaks on our R29S. The pics can be viewed in our photo album.
Brad

 

[Hydraulicjump]

I was wondering how the kayaks we're going to fit onto that Starship Enterprise cabin roof. Well done.

great looking boat!!

 

[Boatagain]

It seems that the most significant piece of equipment required for the procedure is a wife.

Yes, they sell them at West Marine, online only. They come in many sizes, shapes, colors and dispositions. Only problem is they don't come with a warranty and I'm still looking for the instruction manual! :lol: