I do three sometimes on my Toyota-Matrix-like Pontiac Vibe. I use two regular J racks (one on each side), and put the 3rd kayak between them. Orientation of the 3rd is upside up, upside down, or on its side, have done all three. Picture here. The pink thing over the bars is a pool noodle, slit down one side and squeezed onto the crossbar. If I'm worried about one of the kayaks rubbing on the metal part of the J-bars, I slip a piece of pipe insulation over the offending bar.
If the kayak is on its deck or its hull, I tie a rope or webbing under the crossbar, then over the center kayak, then under the other side of the crossbar, then back over the same kayak. Like that on both crossbars. If the center kayak is on its side, I tie it to the back of one of the J-bars.
Since one of my J-bars folds down, two people can put the center kayak up from that side pretty easily if the side kayak has not been loaded yet - in fact I've done it by myself easily enough. Alternatively, I sometimes put a blanket up on the windshield and slide the boat up from the front. Can't do it from the back because my car is much narrower in back than in front.
It's a tight squeeze and a bit of a production but it's not that bad once you get the hang of it. Recently I swapped out the pool noodle for one of these things, (I didn't pay anywhere near that for them though) forcing the oval channel over my square crossbars, but it's not really any better than the pool noodle, and the foam tends to rotate and fall off when sliding the boat onto it.
The usable part of my crossbars (the part between the towers) is 40" in the front and 34.5" in the back.
Hope that helps,
Lisa
Hi Lisa, not sure if you are still on here, but could you post another picture. the link doesn't work. I need a visual to try this! lol thanks!
Rack system for 3 kayaks
in General Message Board
Posted
Hi Lisa, not sure if you are still on here, but could you post another picture. the link doesn't work. I need a visual to try this! lol thanks!