How to Make Loading a Kayak Easier

The greatest part of kayaking is being out on the water. But most paddlers have to deal with loading the boat onto a vehicle and traveling to the water first. With many sea kayaks and touring boats weighing as much as 70 pounds (see Reference 1), getting the boat on top of a vehicle can be daunting. However, loading systems such as hull rollers can take away the weight of the boat to make loading much easier. Hull rollers are a wheeled system that secure to the back of a roof rack and allow your boat to roll up onto the roof of your vehicle. Make sure you install the base roof rack system first on top of your vehicle to house the hull rollers according to manufacturer's instructions.

Things You'll Need

  • Roof rack system
  • Hull rollers
  • Boat straps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Position your kayak on the ground on one side of your vehicle at an angle with approximately two-thirds of the rear of the boat extending beyond the rear of the vehicle and the front third angled away from the vehicle.

    • 2

      Place a blanket or towel under the back of the boat to protect the hull surface and other features like the rudder blade.

    • 3

      Stand at the front of the kayak on the side away from the vehicle and grasp the front end of the boat with both hands.

    • 4

      Simultaneously lift the kayak, tucking your elbows in close to the body to get under the boat, and swivel it towards the vehicle to rest the front end on the hull rollers.

    • 5

      Keeping a hand on the kayak to prevent it from slipping backwards, move around to the rear of the boat.

    • 6

      Grasp the rear of the kayak with both hands and simultaneously lift and push. The kayak will slide along the hull rollers, and the front end will eventually tip down level with the roof of your vehicle. Continue to roll the kayak forward until it is centered on top of the vehicle.

    • 7

      Secure the front and the back of the kayak to the roof rack with straps.