Best way to get kayak on/off of car roof rack?

So I just picked up a Trident 15, and I can already see that it's going to be a bear to get on and off of the roof rack by myself. I don't have the pickup truck or trailer option. Can anyone offer any insight and/or gadgets to help?

Some racks have an option to extend out. Then you put the front end up and pivot it into place. I didn't have that option with my t13. I just had to muscle in into place. The dents and scratches on my car were a testimony to how tired I was at the end of the day. So now I have a trailer.

Yakima boat loader.  If you do a search for it on this site you'll probably find a few threads in which I have recommended this product and talked about it.  It is for round, Yakima bars.  ~$60 well spent.

After building up your arm and chest muscles paddling your kayak for miles dead lifting your kayak will become much easier to do.  If it is just on top of a car and not up onto an SUV you'll get there. 

Yakima boat loader.  If you do a search for it on this site you'll probably find a few threads in which I have recommended this product and talked about it.  It is for round, Yakima bars.  ~$60 well spent.

+1

I find that I'm a bit stronger when attractive females are in the vicinity. So, until you build up your muscles, try kayaking in a public place. If nothing else you could get an attractive onlooker to give you a hand.

After building up your arm and chest muscles paddling your kayak for miles dead lifting your kayak will become much easier to do.  If it is just on top of a car and not up onto an SUV you'll get there.

But until then your car will get the sort of scratches mine has... 

Here is the Yakima "boat loader" from the Kayak Shed web page   http://www.kayakshed.com/yakima-racks/boatloader
I added the Yakima "Show Boat" kit on my rack to load/unload my Hobie Outback.....it protected the rear spoiler from damage    http://www.kayakshed.com/yakima-racks/showboat-kayak-loader

The mako saddles are rigid and thus allow you to lift just the bow up and brace it against the outside front saddle, then lift the stern over the rear saddles. Use a soft towel on the car's roof to prevent scratches when levering the kayak up.

Get a volkswagon Bug and just drive into the lake.

I usually open the passenger side door and lift the front onto it, the back onto the ground, and the front the rest of the way down. The best way is to have a helper.

Jump to 7:50 minutes, I am 5'10 at 180 lbs and can load my AI (80 lbs hull only) by myself.  I have a Chevy Tahoe with Thule bars and Glide and Set saddles.  I first wheel the AI out with a Hobie Heavy Wheel cart. 

Then load one side at a time. I always bring a step stool with me so I can reach higher. I cover the rear door with a piece of carpet. 

The Thule Hullavator works with my Outback.  No more lifting a dead weight over my head.  http://www.amazon.com/Thule-897XT-Hullavator-Kayak-Carrier/dp/B000QV1WSM/ref=sr_1_1/182-8825650-8181965?ie=UTF8&qid=1395769596&sr=8-1&keywords=thule+hullavator    http://www.rei.com/product/723901/thule-hullavator#reviewsTab.  Spendy but so is back surgery or downtime for allowing the old bod to repair itself.

Chuckle.  Vehicles are a waste of money unless they are used.  Get them dirty.  Get them scratched.   Get your money's worth.  I'm embarressed to be driving around in a clean car.