Kayak transport advice needed

Going to take my 13’ amigo down to Galveston on my wife’s SUV. Only problem is that the factory crossbars are only 24” apart and cannot be adjusted. Was going to try adding support with foam blocks or one of those soft rack systems but I can’t seem to find anything thick enough to absorb the weight yet add support with the kayak resting on the crossbars.

Anyone else ever have a similar situation and find a solution? Am I pushing my luck with the factory crossbars?

Thanks,

Doug

Check out Malone's Foam Blocks, they have thicker foam blocks.

Whichever solution you come up with you'll need to run bow and stern straps to secure the kayak.

I wish I had a picture (but I don't) with it mounted on the rack/Jeep but I made this support rack which helped a lot.



I used a 2" piece of Aluminum block which slides in the reciever hitch and drilled and bolted a piece of 3/4" galvanized pipe on the other end. Then I made the saddle for the yak to sit in which also helps when loading/unloading to keep the yak from falling from side-to-side. I welded mine but you could use threaded fittings if needed.

Note the 1/2" PVC pieces with the rope running through it. These are tied to the side of my roof rack/support pole to give it some front to back stability and some side-to-side stability.

It takes me all of 5 minutes to install/remove when not using the yak and took a lot of the weight off the carrier racks. I can cinch the yak down good on the support rack for piece of mind when hauling it.

The foam blocks Neumie mentioned should work fine. You'll also want to buy a rubber suction bathtub mat to put between your roof and foam blocks. Without mat, sand and grit will get between foam blocks and your roof and grind the paint off quick.

Thanks for all the tips. I think I’ll just take my truck instead. The wife’s car was just not built for water sports

Smart move. She would have been mad if it started rusting when you got home.