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Roof-Rack & Kayak

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by john1701a, May 29, 2006.

  1. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Sweet !!!

    [​IMG]

    I've been to the Boundary Waters a half-dozen times now. Those canoe trips were fantastic. And all the other times I've went canoeing have been enjoyable too. So I've always wanted to buy one of my own, but sadly that doesn't work well for just one person. This weekend, I finally got desperate for an opportunity to play. And seeing the temperature at 99 F degrees, it was a darn good decision.

    With all my canoe experience and several members here sharing very positive stories (thank you!), I bought a kayak... without ever having used one. That was quite a risk, considering the investment (done properly) required a rather hefty additional cost for a roof-rack too.

    I am so glad that I took the chance. After 2.5 hours of driving around and many stops, on a day so windy the kayak was bouncing just parked in the driveway, I ended up digital capturing the moment over 300 times. The photo above is a sample.

    It was a beautiful day. The learning-curve for figuring out how to use the kayak was just a matter of minutes. I was in heaven. The lake I chose was an extremely shallow & weedy, with lots of areas to explore. And since only hand/foot powered boats are allowed, it was an ideal location.

    As for the way the Prius handled a 12-foot kayak on top, it was great. Though, my driving only got up to 50 MPH. In the suburbs, there are a ton of lakes to select from here in Minnesota. I may not need the highway much. But with winds over 40 MPH, it was probably a very good test anyway. The Yakima roof-rack performed really well, just like other Prius owners have praised. And with the temperature so hot, the A/C was obviously needed after my rather vigorous paddling adventure. Surprisingly, the MPG didn't even take that much of a hit. Even after 50 miles of having the kayak on top, the Multi-Display now shows a 51.6 MPG average at 323 miles.
     
    #1 john1701a, May 29, 2006
  2. eagle33199

    eagle33199 Platinum Member

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    hmmmm... Sounds like we need to start a Prius Kayaker's club!

    You'll notice that, with the kayak on top, city driving won't really take a hit, but highway driving with one takes a huge hit... driving up here from Ohio i only averaged 34!
     
    #2 eagle33199, May 30, 2006
  3. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

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    I'm looking for a roof rack for my Prius, primarily for kayaks (possibly skis as well)- I use a rear rack for bikes. I've had Thule racks on other cars, but does anyone have any other suggestions?
    While in the past, I've installed my load bars and just left them on; in the interest of fuel economy I'd probably take the rack off when not in use. I understand that some racks are easier to put on and take of than Thule?
     
    #3 larkinmj, May 30, 2006
  4. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ May 30 2006, 09:59 AM) [snapback]262793[/snapback]</div>
    Yup. Yakima and Saris.
    http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_racks.htm
     
    #4 darelldd, May 30, 2006
  5. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    Humid (clouds), "99 degrees . . . winds over 40 MPH . . . It was a beautiful day . . . I was in heaven."

    I don't know about you but, those conditions sound kind of hellish to me. :blink:
    . . . but then, I didn't just survive a Minnesota Winter either. :lol:
    I guess it all averages out. ;)

    Stick a boat in front of me and I'll make it go . . . everything from whitewater on the American to huge waves in the Pacific, but touring 10,000 lakes sounds like a blast, but please, keep the winds under 15.

    I don't kayak much any more, maybe once or twice a year – but your picture is stirring up some yearings. :mellow:

    About your boat: Kind of hard to tell with that low picture angle . . . definitely not a whitewater or sit on top . . . and with that skeg on the back, Touring boat?

    Does it have dry storage and a spray skirt?
    Those two items can open up a whole new world in kayaking . . . overnighting on some small islands in the area.

    If your boat is designed for a spray skirt, by all means get one and take lessons on how to roll, it will give you a whole 'nother level of comfort knowing you aren't going to get swamped out in the middle of nowhere.

    And the last words in safety if you go touring any distance . . . 2-way radio and GPS . . . never lost, but far enough away from it all. B)
     
    #5 Sufferin' Prius Envy, May 30, 2006
  6. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Yes, living in Minnesota does foster a desire to experience the full spectrum weather. Sunday was definitely an example of extreme heat... a far contrast from the temperatures 120F degrees colder in the winter.

    Anywho, my kayak is strictly recreational. It's a 12-foot with a fairly wide stance. There's no skirt, but it does provide 2 dry storage areas (a big one in back and a small one by the cupholder). Hopefully, I'll be able to capture digital gallery photos that I never dreamed of with the accessibility water routes can provide. Sadly, no trips are planned though.

    As for getting swamped, I'll do the same as I did with the canoe... just intentionally allow it take a drink while playing with friends. That does indeed build confidence quickly. Good thing too, because I'm sure they would want me all wet as fast as they can swamp the thing!
     
    #6 john1701a, May 30, 2006
  7. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ May 30 2006, 01:14 PM) [snapback]262807[/snapback]</div>
    I like the look of the Saris bars, and that's a good feature that the bars stay centered- I could never keep my Thule bars from sticking out on one side.
    I'm sure my Thule Evolution cargo box would fit on them with no problem, but I have a couple of sets of Thule saddles and hull-a-port racks. Are those Saris saddles that you have the kayaks on?
     
    #7 larkinmj, May 30, 2006
  8. eagle33199

    eagle33199 Platinum Member

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    If you're refering to the last pic on the page, then yes, those are Saris sadles (the pic is actually one i let darell borrow for his page after i first got my racks)
     
    #8 eagle33199, May 31, 2006
  9. David Armstrong

    David Armstrong New Member

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    I've had my '08 Prius Touring #5, since Oct '07, and love it. I appreciate its economy, performance and engineering. I own several collector cars including a custom street rod ('47 Ford) I built myself. Currently painting my '53 Chevy Pickup which I planned to use to haul a pair of kayaks. Now I'm thinking I want to travel some distance to some rivers out of my area, and so looking for a roof carrier for the Prius. I saw some posts recommending Yakima and Saris over Thule. Looking at the steeply falling roof line of the Prius it looks like it poses some challenges for carrying a pair of kayaks. I don't have a tow-bar on my Prius which I understand would allow a rear support bar. Yet I see on some of the posts that they are carrying two kayaks on what look like regular roof supports. Does anybody have recommendations here?
    David Armstrong :confused:
     
    #9 David Armstrong, May 2, 2008
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