Kayak on top of R 25

[golftrek]

Hello, the 2008 R 25 we are purchasing does not have the sports rack on top nor does it have the small ladder that is used for access to the roof (and no holes to hook the ladder on to). We have a kayak which we would like to carry on the top. Can we purchase a sports rack and ladder from the factory or is there some other way we can carry our kayak? Has anyone rigged up a roller systems to use to load the kayak on the roof?

The kayak is a tandem about 15 feet long.

Thanks!

Jim and Jo Ann
Soon to be owners of Banjo 2008 R 25

 

[Zundels]

We have the 2009 R-25 that came with the racks and ladder. Every other feature we wanted to add on to or replace we start with Richard, wonderful and helpful contact at Ranger Tug in Kent, WA.

A good place to start for parts is: parts@rangertugs.com

Don

 

[swillmerchant]

Hi Jim and Jo Ann,
Did you ever resolve how to secure your kayak onto your R25? We're considering buying a 2010 R25 and have a tandem kayak as well. Considering ours will likely be on a mooring, our kayak will be our primary means to get to the tug. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Doug

 

[Stella Maris]

We carried an Tandem Ocean Kayak on top of Solitude (Our R-25) as well as Karma (Our R-29).

First thing you will need is the sports rack. You can buy it from the factory or, have a local company make you one.

We used Yakima Kayak support system to carry it in the rack. We simply strapped it down at that point and even towed Solitude with it on the roof. Figured people did on top of their cars! The straps came with the Yakima system. We used rollers in the back and paddles in the front allowing us to roll the kayak up to the roof.

As for the ladder, The 25 is easy to get up on the roof if you go from the front. When we bought Solitude, they had not come up with the ladder idea. Really though, I cannot imagine using that ladder on the side. Karma had a built in ladder on the hardtop.

You can see a picture of Karma with her kayak on the roof here:

http://www.rangertug25-solitude.com/our-karma.html

We are currently having racks made to go on the pilot house of Destiny where we will carry our current kayaks.

 

[doke01]

I went to the factory to get a sport rack but it would have cost more to ship it to the east coast then to make one locally so I did even better by making one myself using 1" stainless tubing and stainless elbows and T's from http://marinepartdepot.com/ (very inexpensive, high quality stainless hardware). It has turned out to be very durable. We have strapped kayaks to it and it holds our two solar panels quite nicely.