3 kayaks one roof rack

Guys, looking for imput from guys that have done this before.
What do you think is the most secure way of holding down three kayaks on my roof rack?
I have one set of Mako Saddles that I may or may not use. Currently I am debating between laying one flat and the other two on edge. Like this:

Or laying two flat and stacking the third on top like this:

I have done the stacking method for caring a surf board and two kayaks.

The three boats will be a Prowler 13, Trident 13 and a Hobie Adventure. The bars are 58" Yakima round bar.

Yes I know I'm over the recommended weight limt. It will be fine.
Yes I will be using bow and stern straps.

Thoughts? Spot ... I'm looking at you =)

Man you put 3 j bars on and ride all 3 on the side? Build an aluminum rack in the center to hold one on saddles above the other 2 upside down? I would think the 3tied together in contact might distort the hulls. My $0.02

This is a one time thing so I'm not going to be buying any more mounts. Worst case I'll take the Tacoma and put one in the bed, trying to avoid that though.

This is a one time thing so I'm not going to be buying any more mounts. Worst case I'll take the Tacoma and put one in the bed, trying to avoid that though.

Gotcha put a foam pad (Fred Mayer sells them) that's used as an RV seat cushion 2 upside down foam pad in the middle 1 on top in the center

2 upside with the third rightside up in the middle works just fine.  Strap them all down individually.

When whitewater kayaking, we often carry ridiculous numbers of kayaks on top of vehicles.  I have a couple of general suggestions about carrying multiple kayaks on top of a vehicle:

1.  Strap them down separately.  Kayaks are slippery and tapered, roads can be bumpy and shake kayaks around, and straps can get wet and loosen.  If you put a single pair of straps around a whole bunch of kayaks, one of the kayaks is going to move, the straps are going to get lose, and the next thing you know there will be a whole pile of kayaks cartwheeling down the road behind you.  I've seen it happen way too many times.  Try to strap each kayak down separately to the roof rack as much as is possible.  For example, in the picture shown above of three kayaks on top of a pickup, the upper kayak looks like it nests nicely on top of the two lower kayaks, and the pyramid looks pretty stable.  But don't try to strap all three kayaks to the bar with a single pair of straps.  That would be begging for trouble.  Strap each of the bottom two kayaks to the bar with a separate pair of straps.  Then run a third pair of straps over all three kayaks to hold down the top kayak.

2. Strap the bows and sterns together.  When you get all the kayaks strapped to the roof rack, run a strap through the handles on the bows of the kayaks to strap them all together.  If you're feeling paranoid, strap the sterns together as well.  This will prevent a kayak from sliding forwards or backwards and slipping out of the pile.

3.  Use bow lines.  Tie a rope to the bows of the kayaks, or to the strap which runs between the bows of all the kayaks, and tie it to something in the front bumper area of the vehicle.  This will keep the kayaks from creeping backwards as a result of wind pressure.  If the kayaks extend a long distance in front of and in back of the roof rack, it will also reduce the tendency of the kayaks to rock on the roof rack.

4. Twist the straps.  Whenever a strap is running between kayaks, give it a couple of twists to prevent it from buzzing, which can drive you crazy.

5.  Pad abrasion points.  Fishing kayaks usually have a lot of outfitting, and the outfitting may have sharp corners.  These sharp corners can grind gouges in the hull of the adjoining kayak, which will irritate the owner of that kayak.  Check for abrasion points and pad them if necessary.  You many need to duct tape the padding in place to prevent if from sliding out from between the kayaks and blowing away.

As long as everything works out ok today Spot should have an impressive example of three kayaks on top of a car. And I really do hope everything works out ok because one of those three is mine.

Put at least one strap through scupper holes on all three.  Just in case.

2 upside with the third rightside up in the middle works just fine.  Strap them all down individually.

+1 I did this a bunch on my forester, andl now when loading 5 boats on the trailer. I also lay a couple strips of pipe insulation across the pocket created by the two inverted boats. This adds a little grip to keep the upright boat from wiggling as much. Pair all this with snug bow and stern lines on all 3 and they ride nicely.