: I don't think anyone answered your question as I read it. I believe you want
: to know if you should put the kayak on the hull with the cockpits up, or
: put the kayak on the deck, with the cockpits down.

: I too have the same question, because I think it would be more aerodynamic to
: have the kayak upside down, plus I might be able to make it under the
: 7'6" height surcharge when taking it on a ferry. The only negative I
: can see is that it would be sitting on the deck instead of the hull.

: Why do I never see anyone put their kayaks on the roof upside-down?

: Thanks in advance, Dale

I tie kayaks on roof racs any way they fit. It's sometimes quite humourous how they stack up side and on top etc, etc. On long trips and at speeds to 100mph I've interchangably used upside or downside with equal results. No stacking under these possible conditions.

The downsides of downsides are: 1/deck easily deforms under tying pressure. 2/ aesthetically doesn't show off yer yak.(prob the biggest downside for everyone here!!)3/ doesn't do the upside below.

The downsides of upside are:1/ water penetration so a cockpit cover(I use spray skirt tied and inside out) is necessary, 2/ the bars of the rack don't hold the yak so well so cradles are helpful. Or harder to tie upright. The huge upside that I take advantage of is the yak as a roof top carrier. I load it down w/ all kinds of stuff to keep the wagon clear(for the beercases).The other is that you can show off yer yak better.

Whatever the situation, as others previously have responded and experienced as well as myself, the most important tie of all is the front. It's saved my yak for sure on one occasion(and a few other possibles) and keeps me at ease at speed.

And for the safety of others (hard braking or accident) put on a back one on too.

I tie the yak body fairly loosely, but a superior method is the use of up, sideways or down cradles and use web clamps. I always resolve one tie around the rack post to minimize catastrophic sideways slippage.

Anyway some thoughts, the carrier is the best for me.

-mick