Buyers Guide for Kayak Roof Racks and Cradles

Step One: Choose the style of cross bars and "feet" that are best for your vehicle and the crossbar length appropriate for the number of kayaks you plan to carry (hopefully you plan to share rides so allow for at least two kayaks). If your car came with factory racks, you may be able to use the factory crossbars to support your kayak cradles. However, many factory racks have crossbars that are barely wide enough to fit one kayak on them. If your factory crossbars are too narrow, you can usually move them out of the way or remove them so you can install your own aftermarket crossbars. There are two main styles of aftermarket crossbars for kayakers to choose from, round or rectangular by Yakima or Thule respectively. Others come and go but these two are available in the widest range of sizes and with the greatest selection of "feet" to adapt them to fit onto most vehicles. If your car roof is highly curved like a Beetle or Prius, then round crossbars are the best choice because round bars will let you rotate the kayak cradles so as to square them up with your kayak's hull. If your car has a nearly flat roof, we recommend Thule's rectangular crossbars because they will keep your kayak cradles from spinning when you shove your kayak back and forth in order to center it etc. Fortunately most kayak cradles and rack accessories are not brand specific, so you can put a Thule kayak cradle on a Yakima crossbar or visa versa.

Step Two: Decide how you are going to get your kayak on and off the roof of your vehicle. The simplest method is to lift the kayak in and out of the cradles. This method isn't bad when there are two people lifting the kayak and the roof is low, but this method presents some obvious problems if the height of your vehicle plus crossbars and cradles is higher than you can easily reach or if you need to be able to load and unload your kayak by yourself. Depending on the vehicle, your strength, etc. there are ways to deal with this loading a kayak alone, but it can get complicated and sometimes risky for your back and your kayak. Kayak rack manufacturers have come out with a variety of ways to make loading and unloading kayaks easier and safer, these roof rack accessories aren't cheap, but in the long run they may be a good investment compared to the cost of visiting a chiropractor or paying to have your kayak repaired because you dropped it while loading.... Generally the easiest solutions of all are the side loading systems such as the Thule Hullavator (which combines an upright kayak cradle with a lift assisting system) and the Malone Telus (which is an add on accessory for Malone brand kayak "J" cradles).

A related question is whether you plan to carry your kayak on it's side (use a "J" cradle) of right side up. Right side up is the simplest when it come to strapping the kayak down safely, and it allows you to clear lower garages etc. However, in the area where a kayak sits on the cradles, the sides of a kayak are generally stiffer and stronger than its bottom. So a roto-molded sea kayak is less likely to warp and a fiberglass kayak is less likely to get cracked while on your vehicle if you use "J" cradles rather than saddles for carrying the kayak upright. "J" cradles also take up less lateral space on your car's roof so the leave more space for a second kayak or bike etc.

Step Three: Tie down straps to lash your kayak to the cradles and ropes for attaching the ends of your kayak to the front and rear of your car are generally included with each set of kayak cradles. However, the straps etc. that are included with the kayak cradles are often annoying to use, so you may want to upgrade, have spares, etc.