Kayak Owners Advice

Hi Gary,

I have a tandem that weighs about the same. I am also early 60's. I can't carry it solo as its awkward but my wife and I can carry it to get it to and from the vehicle. I also have a trolley if any distance is involved. I prefer to load it onto my camper trailer for a single destination but for a multi stop trip I load it onto the roof of my Pajero using one of these - Rhinorack Side Loader. Sometimes I rear load it by placing a towel on the car to protect it and straight onto the roof bars. Another option if you haven't already purchased is a good inflatable or two single kayaks. The singles maybe be more difficult to fit on the racks but easier to load. I also prefer paddling single than double but that's simply a preference.

Hope that helps, Ron

HI Gary,
I am a keen paddler and whilst mine is lighter than yours at 19kg, it is probably more cumbersome as it is 5.6m long. However I have to try to get it onto my roof racks by myself (lifted 80 series cruiser) and I am only 5'2 so have learned a technique that is what you would also use as it avoids lifting.

You simply stand at the rear of your vehicle and position the nose of the kayak onto the roof behind the first rack - put a towel across the rear roof edge so it doesn't scratch the paint. You can then push it up onto the racks - I can do it solo, but its much easier with two people.

We have a Hobie Odyssey tandem, 37kg

I use a Rhino T-Bar loader , I don't have any trouble loading on my own , onto the ladder racks on my Dmax , my Ute is not as hight as a lot of 4WD's .
I'm 64

Hi Gary

If you want to make the job easy, then you can not go past the Thule Hullavator Pro.

They are not cheap, but worth their weight in gold and we have had one for a very long time (at least 10 Years) and it has been into some remote locations just to get a paddle in, eg the Simpson Desert, yes that is right, when the Simpson waterways were in flood..

We have 2 Kayaks, a single Dagger, and a double Wilderness Pamlico 145T that weighs in at 33 kgs. if you have a look here and see just how easy it is to load a kayak onto the roof of your four wheel drive with the Thule Hullavator


Cheers


Stephen

Look up ‘diy kayak loader’ on YouTube.

Or these are cheap enough.

https://youtu.be/-NE_lWaCSDQ

Gary...

Something you might want to consider is an inflatable kayak.

In my “fleet” of kayaks, which includes a sit-in for long range touring, two surf ski’s for the ocean, a K1 for racing, I also have an inflatable which can either be used as a single or a double.

There are very good quality inflatables that come in around the $1,000/$1,200 mark and that weigh in around the 15kg range. I have one because it is easy to store when touring and because it offers flexibility between single and double.

Mrs Landy likes to be out on the water, but not as much as me (which is usually a 10klm paddle most days…)

Our roof racks sit at around 2.2 meters off the ground and whilst I am accustomed to putting the kayaks on and off, it does take some effort. A double "plastic" kayak is going to weigh in at 30kg+ as you have indicated. Don't overlook the effort involved even with some of the assistance loaders available.

Take a look into an inflatable if you are thinking having a kayak would be a good addition to your touring equipment. You want to make it easy to handle and launch otherwise you might find you don’t use it.

As a footnote, we can have the inflatable on the water in less than 10 minutes maximum...

Cheers, Baz – The Landy

Friend has similar. He and I can get it on the roof OK but his wife cannot handle the weight. Large diameter runners on the rear of the roof rack are in his future plus a small capacity electric winch on the bullbar.

An additional use for the winch is to recover the kayak up many of the steep banks you are likely to encounter on outback waterways.

Whereabouts are you Gary?

There’s a kayak builder in NSW near Newcastle, specialises in very lightweight fibreglass yaks. I bought my first one from him 20 years ago and six different models later and after a few years serious paddling, I use my original one more than any of my four boats now. Why? Because it’s jst so much easier to carry and load. Make it easy on yourself and you’ll use it more. Only thing is, they are not very broad and stable plodders that you see in the camping shops, which weigh a ton. These are quite sleek and weigh 24/25 kg for a double.

(Ron) Elliott kayaks. He’s situated right on the Williams River near Dungog. He’ll let you test drive a boat.

One thing to bear in mind: if the missus doesn’t take a liking to it or doesn’t fancy a paddle on the day, you’re grounded. Not advisable to paddle a double on your own. My single is 15 kts so have a think about getting two singles. Costs a bit more but more flexibility with trips and two much lighter ones are easier to load than one big un. The big, heavy, plastic camping shop ones are very slow for exploring but more stable for fishing etc. Don’t underestimate this, because there are places you’ll easily reach in a touring kayak that you wouldn’t attempt in a broader/heavier one, although you might like the stability if you don’t want to learn to balance in a more “tippy” boat. Doesn’t take to much practice, though.

If you look at the youtube channel of Scott Lovig he does a comparison of most of the loading systems. I'm a bit vertically challenged myself so some type of step is virtually essential for 4wd.
The rhino T loader is very good except it might limit access to your tail gate,the way the strap provides just the right amount of friction to push the bar up is quite ingenious,my home built version didn't quite work..

G'day Gary.

People say I am too old to paddle! But.... We purchased a double approx 35 kg, it is difficult by myself but with wife no trouble. Rope on front over to the bull bar, put the kayak nose first on the back of roof rack, push it up to almost the point of balance, run round to the bull bar, one person pulls it over balance point then keeps it coming while wife guides it straight, slide into a custom built (diy) cradle at the front and tie down. Simple.

However we may well have been better off buying two singles - more fun in lots of ways. Cheers, enjoy whatever you decide, David

Hi to all who have replied.
There is some excellent feedback and definite food for thought.
We had thought about an inflatable but were unsure of their 'credentials'. Most seem to think they are a realistic option these days.
We have 7 weeks before we leave on our trip - so will let you know what we ended up purchasing.
Can anyone recommend a reputable inflatable brand as there are several online.
Thank you to all.

Hi I have been travelling around Oz last 18months have been using an inflatable 2 or 1 man kayak. Weighs approx 16kg, stores away when not in use so can still run solar on the roof, paddles split into 4 pieces, takes about 5 minutes to set up and longer to pack up of course. Have had no issues can take 2 comfortably or 1 to do fishing. Works great for me . Mine is a Seaeagle Fastrack, goes well in the water. Many different brands out there now but stay clear of the elcheapo ones, like they say you get what you pay for
Good luck. Cheers Rod

We have one of these ..... Point 65n Tequila

As mentioned earlier we have the Advanced Elements tandem. The negatives are the weight at 25kg’s and the need to help the drying a little between the inflatable sections and the skin. The positives are the tough skin and an overall rigid kayak look and feel. It paddles well but if you want a better experience you can option a high pressure floor which has the sort of rigidity you get with an inflatable SUP.

We also have an inflatable, bought 2003, tandem, clip on seats, two air chambers, weighs 15kg plus paddles. Continue to have great fun with it all over Australia. Spent several days last week paddling Lake Jindabyne. Not for fast water. Packs down well.