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> What does every one use for Kayak carriers?

What makes it possible for me (5'4") to get a kayak on the rack on top of my pickup (Ford Ranger w/'topper') is a load extender bar (I got it from Thule.. it does fit on the round Yakima bars... if you're handy, you could probably make one yourself...). I set the yak at the side of the vehicle, slide the extender bar out from the rack crossbar, lift the bow of the boat onto the bar (it has a little upright post at the end of the bar to keep the boat from sliding off & crashing to the ground), and then I can lift the stern and pivot it onto the saddle, then pivot the bow onto the saddle, and retract the extender bar, tie it down, and off I go! (unloading reverses the process) I have a little stepstool that makes it possible to reach the tie downs. I can easily maneuver my 65 pound plastic Prijon Yukon Expedition (a 14 foot river touring kayak) on and off by myself, without worrying about getting hurt in the process. My wooden sea kayak is even easier.

A set of hully rollers wouldn't work for me, because my rack not close enough to the ends of the pickup -- and it requires loading the boat from the end of the vehicle... depending on your parking set up, that might be inconvenient.

But Yakima is now selling their saddles & hully rollers in sets of two (not four)- so you can mix & match & not end up with extra pieces.

Julie Kanarr