Car top rack upside down or right side up

I searched a bit and couldn't find an answer I have a Thule rack on an 08 outback with adjustable saddles on the front but they are denting my 2013 Jackson  big tuna I can't keep the paddles in an upright position they keep "hopping " the plastic threads on the rack even though the wing nuts are tight . With such a heave yak should I carry it upside down or build my own rails with marine carpet to run the better portion of the hull? Any input is greatly appreciated.

I always just flip my yaks upside down on my Yakima racks, no saddles.

I transport them upside down on the bar, or in J cradles.  If you leave a plastic yak on those saddles, the hull will be dented in, especially when it is hot out. It can be fixed fairly easily, though.  I used to carry mine like that with the hully rollers on the rear bar for easy loading.  When it sat for long periods of time, I would slide a 2 foot by 4-6 inch wide piece of plywood between the hull and the rollers to spread the load.  I had no problem with denting when I did that.  Of course, that probably won't work with the saddles due to their curves.

Some kayaks can't be easily put on a rack upside down.  The Predatar is one such kayak.  Having had similar denting issue previously as others have stated, I looked for a different solution.  I had come across some Malone Sea Wings.



All I can say is WOW.  With the wide footprint and the way they flex down to spread the load, I've had zero denting issues.

That being said, if I don't need to run them upright, I always run them upside down.

-Allen

The drawing has a capacity of 70 lbs my yak empty is almost 100 not sur if that's a good idea ?

Is that 70 # per cradle or for both?  I couldn't tell. I would call Rack Attack or some other retailer before ordering.  My guess is that it is per cradle, because few yaks made are 70# or lighter unless they are SINK.  But, then again, I have known to be wrong before...according to my wife.

Seawing not drawing " stupid smart phone " not sure it didn't say if that was per cradle or total. I was thinkin about custom shaping some 1x4 or 1x6 to hug the hull then put some marine carpet on that, just a thought?

I have re adjusted my front saddles and loaded the yak for an early am bay run I might have had them sitting wrong as a neighbor pointed out so I will see if it's a rokie mistake or too much yak for the Thule adjustable saddles.

Carry your kayaks upside down.  The gunwales of the sit-on-top kayaks I’m familiar with are a lot stronger and less likely to deform than the bottoms.  I carry my whitewater kayaks upside down as well whenever possible.

If you carry your kayaks on bare rooftop carrier bars, the bars are so narrow that they’re likely to dent your kayak, and may also leave black marks on your kayak’s hull.  To spread out the pressure, I made roof racks out of 1’ x 4” oak, sealed well with spar urethane, with two layers of closed cell foam on top, covered with heavy duty cordura nylon.  If you can’t find cordura, go to a business which makes awnings and buy some nylon from it, but cordura is stonger and longer-lasting.

Carry your kayaks upside down.  The gunwales of the sit-on-top kayaks I’m familiar with are a lot stronger and less likely to deform than the bottoms.  I carry my whitewater kayaks upside down as well whenever possible.

If you carry your kayaks on bare rooftop carrier bars, the bars are so narrow that they’re likely to dent your kayak, and may also leave black marks on your kayak’s hull.  To spread out the pressure, I made roof racks out of 1’ x 4” oak, sealed well with spar urethane, with two layers of closed cell foam on top, covered with heavy duty cordura nylon.  If you can’t find cordura, go to a business which makes awnings and buy some nylon from it, but cordura is stonger and longer-lasting.

That's what I've got to do on my trailer... I've been looking for a good solution after finding that pool noodles last about 1 good trip before disintegrating. I wonder if those cordura-covered surfboard protectors would do the trick? Do you know if the foam inside of this is tough enough to stand up to a heavy kayak?

I wonder if those cordura-covered surfboard protectors would do the trick? Do you know if the foam inside of this is tough enough to stand up to a heavy kayak?

I don't know.  Try it out and give us a report.  If the cordura attaches around the foam with Velcro, if the foam eventually poops out, you can easily replace it with new foam.

I've come to prefer mounting upside down fastened directly to the bars. Seems to me the load is spread out more evenly over a wider area than relying on how the saddles are mounted. Saddles also make the kayak stick up higher in the wind stream and a bit more difficult to load. The wind loading will tend to lift the kayak up when mounted right-side up and causes more stress on the roof rack and mounting hardware to potentially fail. I don't have the wind whistle of saddles up there anymore now either.

I think I would prefer a rubber pad covered with whatever (Cordura or even a marine grade vinyl) Just something a little firmer than foam.

I really wanted to carry my kayak upside down but the OK ultra 4.3 center pod hatch is higher than the sides of the kayak.  I can't spread the load bars far enough apart on my vehicle to straddle the pod.

I got the relatively cheap Thule top deck cradles and spread them out till they rest on the very outside edge of the bottom (chines would be the correct term I believe).  I have seen 0 denting issues with them in this position and my kayak often sits on them for 8+ hours when I load up the night before a trip.

I did see denting once when I left the kayak on the wheeleez cart in camp one night.  This rests in the middle of the the kayak though so it would seem that on mine the chines are well supported.

I use the surf rack pads, 2 up front and 2 in the back for my OC big game prowler. the back pads take a lot of abuse just because I use them as rollers. The foam is just the gray pipe insulation easy to remove and replace the covers are pretty tough,but I leave them on all the time because I surf and the sun does take its toll on them. They are starting to tear(the back ones) just aqua seal them and rotate to the front. Had them on now for 5 or 6 years now last 3 with putting the kayak on them.

I use the surf rack pads, 2 up front and 2 in the back for my OC big game prowler. the back pads take a lot of abuse just because I use them as rollers. The foam is just the gray pipe insulation easy to remove and replace the covers are pretty tough,but I leave them on all the time because I surf and the sun does take its toll on them. They are starting to tear(the back ones) just aqua seal them and rotate to the front. Had them on now for 5 or 6 years now last 3 with putting the kayak on them.

Good to know, thanks!