Transporting a Kayak....

[PaulyB]

So I bought a 10 foot kayak for my girlfriend so she could take it out and paddle around. We are going into DC tomorrow and she would like to take it so when we are docked and I am hanging out with friends, she can take it and paddle around. We wont be going far from where I launch to the Docking area and it is mostly a no wake zone. Has anyone ever strapped a Kayak to the top of their tower to transport it? I am also thinking about putting some PVC pipe on the two top forks of my Wakeboard mount and making it a little longer and just strapping the kayak on that way. Anyone have any recommendations on a better way to do it or whether or not either of these are a terrible idea and I shouldnt do it? Thanks.

 

[Julian]

We transported 2 kayaks in the boat, wrapped in moving blankets....drove them 600 miles to MILs cabin in Sioux Narrows ONT. No issues.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

As Julian says, easiest way is to put on the floor and wrap with something so it doesn't damage your Yamaha. It might be awkward walking in the boat but doable.

You could hang one end from under the tower and rest the other end on the rear seat backs. Hang it so that one end hangs in free air. Tie the rear to the left and right stern cleats to prevent side to side movement.

 

[GTBRMC]

So I bought a 10 foot kayak for my girlfriend so she could take it out and paddle around. We are going into DC tomorrow and she would like to take it so when we are docked and I am hanging out with friends, she can take it and paddle around. We wont be going far from where I launch to the Docking area and it is mostly a no wake zone. Has anyone ever strapped a Kayak to the top of their tower to transport it? I am also thinking about putting some PVC pipe on the two top forks of my Wakeboard mount and making it a little longer and just strapping the kayak on that way. Anyone have any recommendations on a better way to do it or whether or not either of these are a terrible idea and I shouldnt do it? Thanks.

I was able to move a water logged sailboard 500+ miles a couple years ago by lashing it to trailer frame aft of the bow stop post and forward of the forward axle & fender on the starboard side. It was a bit of a PIA figuring how to get it lashed down, but once I did it rode quite well. I don't know if you could fit a kayak there, but am tossing that idea in as a thought starter.

Good luck.

 

[PaulyB]

I was able to move a water logged sailboard 500+ miles a couple years ago by lashing it to trailer frame aft of the bow stop post and forward of the forward axle & fender on the starboard side. It was a bit of a PIA figuring how to get it lashed down, but once I did it rode quite well. I don't know if you could fit a kayak there, but am tossing that idea in as a thought starter.

Good luck.

I have no issue transporting it on land I dont think, just when I get on the water is what I am worried about. I'm sure I will figure it out and it will be fine, just trying to see if anyone else had experience prior to me doing this. I may be able to put it in the boat, it just depends on how many people I am taking out with me that could be the concern. Thanks everyone for the replies.

 

[BobJohnson]

Silly question, since it is no wake on the way there, can't you tow it behind you? Depending on lake, this might not be legal.

 

[ToddW850]

We have a kayak and my wife has expressed more than once that we should bring it. Ours is a 3 person and kinda large. I asked her where are we putting it and she tells me on top of the wakeboard tower. 2 things with that. Mine is awfully heavy to be lifting and putting up there and I have no idea how it would balance up there and not fall.

After reading this thread, I just came up with an idea. Not sure it will work, but what about putting one end of the kayak on the swim deck and then lean the kayak forward and rest against the wakeboard tower? The kayak would obviously need to be secured at the top and bottom so it doesn't slip.

I don't know, just a thought.

 

[Julian]

I have no issue transporting it on land I dont think, just when I get on the water is what I am worried about. I'm sure I will figure it out and it will be fine, just trying to see if anyone else had experience prior to me doing this. I may be able to put it in the boat, it just depends on how many people I am taking out with me that could be the concern. Thanks everyone for the replies.

Ahhhh....I didn't catch that part! We bought an inflatable kayak for this purpose....

 

[Gym]

We have a kayak and my wife has expressed more than once that we should bring it. Ours is a 3 person and kinda large. I asked her where are we putting it and she tells me on top of the wakeboard tower. 2 things with that. Mine is awfully heavy to be lifting and putting up there and I have no idea how it would balance up there and not fall.

After reading this thread, I just came up with an idea. Not sure it will work, but what about putting one end of the kayak on the swim deck and then lean the kayak forward and rest against the wakeboard tower? The kayak would obviously need to be secured at the top and bottom so it doesn't slip.

I don't know, just a thought.

Two things concern me about this approach @ToddW850. first is the portion of the kayak above the boat could become a wind foil and create control problems for the boat depending on wind, speed and wave action. The second is gouging your anti skid decking on your swim platform.

I also have been trying to think of safe ways to transport my tandem kayak but have not come up with a solution yet. I'm thinking towing would be the safest/easiest method but on a fast deceleration the kayak could crash or come aboard the boat so I believe a ridged tow harness of some type would be the only solution.

 

[ToddW850]

Two things concern me about this approach @ToddW850. first is the portion of the kayak above the boat could become a wind foil and create control problems for the boat depending on wind, speed and wave action. The second is gouging your anti skid decking on your swim platform.

I also have been trying to think of safe ways to transport my tandem kayak but have not come up with a solution yet. I'm thinking towing would be the safest/easiest method but on a fast deceleration the kayak could crash or come aboard the boat so I believe a ridged tow harness of some type would be the only solution.

Yeah, good point. Might just be easier to tow behind then.

 

[KXCam22]

I have strapped surfboards to the tower with bungies. It worked very well. You could mount a couple of those J hook kayak holders to the tower the attach lines front and back. Cam.