alcoons Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 Before I go full out for a Hullavator, would love some suggestions for assist in loading my Original Cetus over the trunk of a Subaru Legacy to a horizontal Thule roof rack. I have been doing it for years by lifting the 65+ pounds and resting it on the rear window covered with a bath mat and the lip of the trunk . Then I lift the stern, slide the bow through the equivalent of the Thule Dockglide on the rear rack. The rear rack allows the kayak to slide through when you push from the rear. Then I lower the bow on the front rack which does not allow the kayak to slip. This has worked well but recent medical problems (pesky doctors) and aging suggest I should not lift as much. Rather then lifting the entire weight onto the window and trunk are there temporary rollers I can put on the trunk so I can slip the kayak up the back of the car into the position I mentioned? Other suggestions beside a Hullavator (not sure I can use one with my Subaru Legacy bars locations? Specs require the bars to be further apart then fits The Ru's roof. Thanks in advance. Al PS. Anyone have a used Hullavator? I will just add lots of duct tape if it does not fit specs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhabich Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 Al, Have a look at Seattle Sports Sherpak. It’s just about what you describe. I haven’t used, but have seen them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David M Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 Al, If we ever end up in the same hemisphere, I have two hullavators on my van. You're more than welcome to try loading your boat to see if they come close to fitting the bill. Cheers! David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcoons Posted April 22, 2019 Author Share Posted April 22, 2019 Thanks for the suggestion and the kind offer. Ironically, a couple of hours after posting my question, I searched the web using a different combination of key words and the Sherpak showed up. I also found some (old) complaints about its ability to stay attached on anything but a perfectly flat window and its relatively flimsiness for a heavy boat. I ordered one today from REI (more expensive but the return policy makes it worth it in this case). Will let you know about the outcome. David. I have tried the Hullavator before and it is wonderful. My concern would be whether it is safe on the short roof of my car. Thule specs say no, but my rack sure seems bomb proof. I will cross that bridge if the other options do not work out. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcoons Posted May 30, 2019 Author Share Posted May 30, 2019 Too Big Too Heavy a Boat? Poor paddlers Hullavator. Report on the Sherpak Boat Roller and tricks to save your boat and back. Overall this has been a wonderful solution to my problem. In fact, even though I am now well enough to load my boat without it, I wish I had purchased one years ago. It makes loading and unloading so much easier once you learn the easy tricks to use it safely. Published complaint: The suction cups do not work dependably and require perfectly clean surface: For the first couple of uses these complaints seem true and frustrating. However, they quickly went away with use. Now I don't even clean the trunk top and it works well. It is worth adding a bit of pressure on the cups with one hand as you throw the lever. The only failures I have had is once or twice I find one cup has lost pressure AFTER I am done loading or unloading. However, loading or unloading went well. Perhaps I should clean the dead sea animals off the trunk after all. Published complaint: How to easily drop your boat: As mentioned, don't place the front of your boat (near the bow) on the rollers. That area is not flat enough to keep the boat from rotating on its side and then slipping quickly off the rack. I though I could be careful enough to control the boat as I worked my way back to the stern to push the boat on the rack but don't even try it. Luckily, like a cat, my boat landed squarely on the driveway without damage. Easy Fix: Luckily I came across a video which provided an easy fix and reduced the effort needed overall. Unfortunately I just cannot relocate the video so here are my instructions for loading boat on a rack on driver's side of the roof: Place your boat on the ground with: the stern directly in-line with the roller and rack, but the boat at an angle so the bow is on the ground on the driver's side perhaps in line with the back of the rear door. Then pick up the bow, placing the keel between the narrow bow and broader area under the cockpit on the rollers. Then you can go to the stern with much less danger of the boat falling off the roller. Don't let go of your boat until you have these steps down and practiced. Remove the boat in reverse order. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prudenceb Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 I have the Malone suction cup thingie like yours. I do hope you can find the vid that helped you bc I am confused by your written instructions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcoons Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 Sorry. Easy to do, hard to describe. Ain't that always the case! Still cannot find the video but I can take a couple of still photos which will make it very clear. Will post them here. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prudenceb Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 11 hours ago, alcoons said: Sorry. Easy to do, hard to describe. Ain't that always the case! Still cannot find the video but I can take a couple of still photos which will make it very clear. Will post them here. Al Thanks, Al. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Snyder Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 On 5/30/2019 at 10:12 AM, alcoons said: Place your boat on the ground with: the stern directly in-line with the roller and rack, but the boat at an angle so the bow is on the ground on the driver's side perhaps in line with the back of the rear door. Then pick up the bow, placing the keel between the narrow bow and broader area under the cockpit on the rollers. Then you can go to the stern with much less danger of the boat falling off the roller. Don't let go of your boat until you have these steps down and practiced. Remove the boat in reverse order. I just used this method loading for the first time on my new used Thule Dock Glides on my Imprezza (who names these things?) Easiest load I've ever done with just a bath towel on the top of the hatch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcoons Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 Here are the photos. Let me know if there are questions. I do have a pad under the stern. A. Stern in line with rack, bow one side of car. B. Lift bow and put on trunk rack. C. Place flat part of hull on rack. Don't let go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prudenceb Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 Thanks. Your car is much easier to load on since it isn't an SUV... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deborah Zabor Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 Best investment i ever made was hullivator. Own 2 now. Kayaks, even my sitka xt at 55 pounds easy to get off and on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.