Hoist

I've been having some problems with my back and lifting a kayak on top of my truck cap is something I have been thinking about. I saw a game hoist and was wondering if anyone has considered this as an option. I figure with little or no modification you have something that can literally do the heavy lifting. Another option would be to build a sweet trailer rig as many of you have done to keep the kayak low, but I wanted to keep my equipment contained to one vehicle. Anyone have experience with hoists for loading kayaks?

http://www.discountramps.com/game-hoist.htm?CAWELAID=1642147583&catargetid=1389811204&cadevice=c&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CO2PzPXLoLkCFY9xQgodpxEAbw

This has got to be the best "cradle to grave loading system devised".
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=48233&p=218407&hilit=car+top+loader#p218407\

 

OK, I have to admit that the system which P14WD described on the Hobiecat forum is spectacularly creative, and deserves some kind of "Rube Goldberg" award.  But it is also fiendishly complicated.  It seems to me it would have been simpler to build a trailer for the cat, and then winch the trailer with the cat on it up to the roof of the garage above the vehicle.

I completely agree....I assume you viewed the video with the "A" frame 12 volt winch that also loaded the Hobie to the roof of the SUV.
Lord knows how much design time and money went into executing the hoist/loader/unloader system.....just shows how inventive some guys are!
For my simple mind, I went with a Trailex trailer to carry my PA-14.

Here is a low-tech way to erect a support for a block and tackle on the back of a vehicle.  I am now using a slightly improved version of this system in which the base of the derrick is made out of a round fence post covered with carpet.



Perhaps more inventive minds than mine can figure out a way to adapt this derrick idea for getting kayaks on top of vehicles.  If (when?) I get to the point where I can't get my kayak on top of my vehicle by myself by hand, if I'm still ambulatory and paddling, I'll probably get a kayak trailer.

What kind of bait were you using to catch that antelope? 

Here's an old video of my buddy Roy's kayak loader. Cheap 12 volt winch with a remote and a pool noodle...Simplicity at it's best!

Try this

Here's an old video of my buddy Roy's kayak loader. Cheap 12 volt winch with a remote and a pool noodle...Simplicity at it's best!

Roy's got a good idea there. Simple. Effective. Let's hope I don't mess up how I implement it.

 [/quote] Roy's got a good idea there. Simple. Effective. Let's hope I don't mess up how I implement it. [/quote]

Yes, let's hope you don't drag your kayak, covered with sand, up the side of your vehicle, scratching the crap out of the vehicle's paint.  Simplicity at its worst!

KenaiGuy's posting has a link to a YouTube video which shows a pretty nifty system for winching a kayak onto the top of a tall recreational vehicle.  Athough moderately complicated, it plops the kayak right into a set of cradles on top of the vehicle.  The postings in this thread have inspired me to look at more YouTube videos showing ways to get kayaks on top of vehicles.  I might find an idea which is low tech, cheap, and effective enough to be worth doing as I get older and more decrepit.  But for now, all I need is a towel on the back of my SUV.

I sent a link to the Hobie Cat storage system thread to a couple of my kayaking buddies. One of them responded, "Is this guy your secret twin?"

Roy's got a good idea there. Simple. Effective. Let's hope I don't mess up how I implement it. [/quote]

Yes, let's hope you don't drag your kayak, covered with sand, up the side of your vehicle, scratching the crap out of the vehicle's paint.  Simplicity at its worst!

[/quote]

Thats what the pool noodles are for. I would use two of the thick ones...