Hey y’all, I’ve noticed some problems on keeping my kayak on top of the car. How do you guys build your homeade kayak rollers for the top of the cars? Trailer isn’t an option and neither is buying the “real” ones right now. I’m thinkin 1.5" PVC or maybe a little bigger across the top and paint rollers for the kayak to slide on. How would you guys make a “stand” for the crossbar to connect to? And how would you connect that stand to the roof? I really like idea of driving without straps going down the font of my windshield and back window haha! Also I have questions on a cheap wang anchor. Like my budget is really cheap! I need a “stick it” of sorts on the yak also. Remember, duct tape isn’t out of the equation. Haha! Thanks yall
SEAFOX 185DC MERC 125
[MRS KAREN]
14’TARPON 100 paddlepower
[SALTY FLY]
I would use one of those foam block-and-strap roof kits before I tried to make something out of PVC…they are pretty inexpensive compared to the aftermarket racks you can get. Don’t overlook those bow and stern ropes - they keep your kayak from flying off when those other tiedowns (or homemade roof rack) fail - it happened to a guy I know - going down the interstate and his roof rack broke and both kayaks were destroyed.
-Lewis
Jackson Kayak Cuda
WS Ride 135
Hunter, what do you have for racks now? Are you looking for a complete rack system or just a way to get a roller of some kind on an existing rack?
I have nothing now. It sits right on top of the minivan. So a complete setup I guess
SEAFOX 185DC MERC 125
[MRS KAREN]
14’TARPON 100 paddlepower
[SALTY FLY]
Hunter, I’ve got a nice removable surf rack that I use for my 9 foot Steward longboard. The last time I had a yak to myself I used that rack and it worked perfectly. You can borrow it if you want, just text or call me bro.
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. -Wayne Gretsky
Hunter I used the foam block and strap on my Ford Escort before I got my truck and it works great you can pick them up Dicks & Sports Authority and I only used the bow tie down just to keep the bow from flying up in case of a big wind. To help slide the yak up on the van just use a towel laid on the back to rest the yak on. Had no problem on the highway going 60 mph. As for a cheap stake out pole I used a flag pole from one of the kits used to hang flags on the side of the house. Its made for the elements so it can handle the water. I just sharpened one end and put electrical tape on the ball end and 6" below that. 
sent you an e-mail about Sunday
Yakman, I’ve got a set of Yakima racks that you can have. They’re a little old, and show it, but still perfectly serviceable. They’re the type that mount to the rain gutters. I’ve got the mounting feet, and round crossbars. PM if interested.
Key West 1720
E-Tec 115
Jackson Cuda Kayak
That’s a nice offer. Yakima or Thule racks are about as good as it gets. You can probably get new bases for them if you need to (likely) to fit your vehicle. Maybe not cheap though.
I second (third?) the foam block idea too. They work ok and are cheap. And as said, you can pretty easily rig something like a carpet scrap or packing blanket to make a cushion to slide the yak on.
hunter…we have some extra pvc pipe in different sizes if you want some to make a couple stakes out of. Dont know if it will work for what you want it for but you are welcome to it. we live on james island…penn:smiley:
miss’n fish’n
212 SEAHUNT CC
Sea Squirt 16
Thanks, guys but I’m gettin a dowel rod and sharpening the end today. I’m gonna see how that works out. If I like it ill buy one from palmettokayakfishing.com . What are the foam block ones? I can’t picture those?
SEAFOX 185DC MERC 125
[MRS KAREN]
14’TARPON 100 paddlepower
[SALTY FLY]
I’ve hauled yaks on the minivan on pool noodles hundreds of times. They wear out, but a $1 pool noodle makes 4 kayak pads.
The fore and aft ropes are still important even with a roof rack. I’ve seen total loss kayaks on the side of the highway still attached to the roof racks that they’d ripped off the car. Sometimes a wind blast from a big truck makes a mess.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
The problem with the foam blocks is I don’t have the rack that they go. How would I go about building the rack for the foam blocks/pool noodle, to go on? I got the anchor pin today. Got a 4’, 1.25" dowel rod ffrom lowes, and hot glued a PVC tee handle to it. Then I glued a PVC section to outside of my yak for my anchor pin to inside of. So I don’t even have to tie it up!
SEAFOX 185DC MERC 125
[MRS KAREN]
14’TARPON 100 paddlepower
[SALTY FLY]
You might be asking a lot out of that hot glue but maybe it’ll work.
I think TooBusy’s idea with the pool noodles is the best idea for going on the cheap. Run a strap thru the noodle and hooks to rain gutters or all the way thru window openings.
With the foam blocks, you can strap the block to the yak and then set the yak on the roof and use whatever system you might have to tie it down. Does the minivan have no roof rack or track system at all?
You may have to run some big sheetrock screws or 16p nails in thru the sides of the van to fasten an attachment system to. [:0]
No nothing on the roof at all unfortunately. I would have to it throuh the windowns but I could only do 1 strap
SEAFOX 185DC MERC 125
[MRS KAREN]
14’TARPON 100 paddlepower
[SALTY FLY]
rain gutters?
Only one strap because the rear windows don’t open?
Run it through the front windows and up and over the yak, tie the Bow down to the front bumper and the stern to the rear bumper, cinch down good and roll…
Stop complicating it 
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
hmmm, I don’t think I’d call a second strap going across the kayak “complicating it”.
Advanced Auto Parts sells cheap roof racks that have load bars with ratchet straps. The load bars sit across the vehicles roof and the ratchet straps go through the windows and then pull the rack tight to the roof. It was only 45 dollars. The thing looked pretty cheap but i bet it would do the trick.
quote:
Originally posted by LocalHero
hmmm, I don’t think I’d call a second strap going across the kayak “complicating it”.
I use 2 straps on my yaks… you can get some big foam blocks to sit on top of the vehicle one around the belly and bow and stern… He said the back windows don’t open… two straps 3 inches form each other won’t do much good. For the first 2 years I kayak fished I used to run down I-26 at 70mph with a bow and stern strap to my bumpers and my yak stayed put.
There is a a trend on here of people over engineering everything… keep it simple and you’ll be fine other wise go ahead and head to home depot and buy $80 worth of PVC and use 12 straps to cinch it down… I have been doing this a while and made most of the mistakes people mention here… Just trying to help a fellow yakker out, save them some time and trouble…
But I guess I must yield to the more experienced folks here…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os