Ok coming back from a deployment and buying my first kayak. I'm pretty sure its going to be a Hobie PA 14! My question is how many actually put this on top of there vehicle because I don't have room for a trailer in the garage back home, so I was thinking of putting it on top of the mini van. how much trouble am I going to have moving this on and off the roof of the van?


Thanks,
Steven

You're talking at least 120 lbs empty weight of kayak. You can buy a folding trailer or one that stands up in the garage. Yakima has a pricey one that gets pretty compact. I have a Malone with a retractable tongue that stands on end for storage and still lets me get my truck in the garage.

That's actually brilliant! I've never thought of that.

Harbor freight has a folding trailer that can be adapted for a kayak and will take up very little room. I think it's about $200 and goes on sale fairly often.

Never thought of a folding trailer. Going to look into this. need to build a system for the kayak to hang from the ceiling too. so much to do when I get home.

ceiling system - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PEURIQ

I stripped off the hooks and mounted some wooden bars w/ straps to wrap around the kayaks - let me know if you want pics.

Yeah Pics would be great. I'm game for any Ideas at this point.

I had a PA 14. For my trailer, I decided to buy a harbor freight twi thousand pound limit trailer and trailer my PA 14 . By far, the PA 14 was definitely a trailer type of kayak. I even car topped my PA 14. But, realized the weight was just too much for me to lift alone.

You can definitely put the PA14 on the car roof with the right rail systems (Yakima/Thule). I watched numerous YouTube videos for guidance. The biggest problem I experienced (when I car topped my PA 14) was the amount of gas depletion with my vehicle. I literally had to fill up twice every fishing trip .

I do miss my PA 14 . Eventually, sold it for a Hobie outback. In my opinion , The outback was by far a better cartoping kayak is okay with PA14 but I'd recommend getting a foldable trailer. On a side note.... I do plan on buying another PA14 cause I really miss my "AirCraft Carrier" . It's the best stability platform for taking me to those darrrrrrn fishes! Good Luck

These are really good experiences/ideas being shared with you, what others have experienced.

The PA 14 is, arguably, the finest fishing kayak out there, but it is very heavy. So, the sentiment I'd share with you is what you don't want is anything in life that is desirable but has some sort of heavy toll associated with using it. Unless you can perfect car-topping a PA 14, no easy or inexpensive task, the net effect will likely be a subconscious tendency not to use it as often. Most people will end up using their kayaks less often, less time on the water. So, do what it takes to make the process of getting to the lake and off the lake as seamless as possible.

If you find yourself needing an hour to prep for a fishing trip, then 30 minutes getting on the water, another 30 minutes getting off the water, then another hour breaking down when you get home, that's 3 hours of non-fishing time.

I actually don't think that is an exaggeration of the time commitment for many people.

My suggestions? I might get a cheap Harbor Freight trailer (this is what I have) and leave your kayak trailered at all times if you have the space in a garage (this is what I do), then take a hard look at the Boonedox Landing Gear or another suitable kayak cart trolley to get you in and out of the water fast.

Then, since there is little fuss getting out, you'll use your kayak much more frequently.

It is all bliss out on the water.

Brad

I car top a 76 kayak and man does it get heavy. I wouldn't even begin to think about doing it with a Hobie. Get a trailer and be safe. Plus it will make you more inclined to get the kayak out more due to the ease.

What area will you be fishing?

I didn't realize that those things are so expensive, will you be 4K into it when its all said and done?
I fished from a kayak for years and it was awesome, but it was from an OK Scrambler, I may have never bought a boat if I had a 14ft PA,

but then again you caould get a really nice jon boat for that price

Though we've got customers who car top the PA14, most folks prefer a trailer for many of the reasons stated above. That said there are lots of techniques for getting a PA14 more easily that you would expect. Wherever you get your boat, you should be able to see options and get advice on the spot. We work with our customers when they get boats including proper transportation in our delivery procedures. A mini van can be WAY up there so you'll probably want to consider some aids to help lessen the awkwardness of the PAs size.

I agree that a trailer or truck bed is way better for hauling a PA. I carry mine on top of a 4WD suburban sometimes. Its not all that hard to load. I put a bathroom rug( rubber backing) on the rear side door and lean the PA against it. Then pick it up by the rear handle and slide it up and rotate it into place. That folding trailer is awesome by the way.

Rhino68W, I fish for the most part, lake Lewisville, Lake Texoma, and Lake Lavon. when I get home I am thinking of trying out Ray Roberts.

I have 5k to spend. on the PA. hope that I don't have to spend it all on that but that's what I have set aside. yes I relies I could get a small jon boat, or a used bass boat. But the whole reason for the Kayak is its less upkeep than a boat with a motor. And the couple of times I went out on a kayak to fish I had more fun than in a reg ol' bass boat.