Cartopping an Old Town AutoPilot 120 Kayak

[@sporkcrx]

Great vid. I saw you on old towns cold water vid and was admiring the way the kayak was strapped in on the car. Glad I was able to hunt down more info

[@kayakangler7683]

I like your setup. I used to cartop an older Hobie Outback and the holds on that kayak were horrible for cartopping! I used a piece of rubber Yoga mat under the stern so that the kayak didn't slip on wet pavement and so that the plastic was protected from gravel and pavement rash. Now I use an aluminum trailer and that works much better for me with a vehicle with a tall roof.

[@walkrshaw7244]

Just received a showboat. Looking forward to using it

[@johnnypea43]

Great video! I found this today while looking for options to cartop a PDL132. The weight is also a concern for me with the showboat, but guessing that 80#(?) will be ok, since I will always be carrying part of the weight of the kayak. One trick I have adopted for rear loading a heavy kayak, was to clip a line from the stern of the boat to the hitch (or some part of the car) which will keep the stern from sliding out when lifting the bow. This has been very handy! I also put a small foam mat under the stern to help with slipping and for some pivot protection when lifting. I currently have a Yakima hitch mount T-loader bar which works, but it's a lot of hardware and kind of a hassle because it doesn't hinge, so I can't open the hatch with it on (Subaru Outback). I just found a Showboat on marketplace 5 minutes ago that I'm hoping to give a try. Side note: I like your fishing videos and just got some Redi-Rig instant downriggers that I plan to try TONIGHT!

[@ninjarider84]

Man I just bought a crosstrek and having to sell my catch 130 because I put a Torqeedo troller on the back adding 8lbs to it and it's simply to much to try and load at that height and weight, I have a 10.5 ft kayak that is lighter than I'm thinking of buying this for though and make life easier, that catch 130 is 12.5 feet lol this thing looks great and functional.

[@broda805]

Great vid I have the same setup minus waiting on the yak. Ordered 5 months ago 😂

[@kevinj.kelleyattorneycouns2141]

Nicely done. Thank you.

[@tolgakaya2825]

Nice. I was expecting this video 😊 Thank you.

[@blaircox1589]

I eneded up having to get a trailer for my 136. At least I don't need to strip it bare to load it.

[@MPane15]

Thanks for this! I know you said the 120 is probably the heaviest kayak you would use for this setup. But do you think this same setup could accommodate the 136 model? The hull weight is only a 10lb difference, my only concern would be whether or not the bar on the showboat could handle it. Think it’s only rated for 80lbs max and the 120 alone I think is pushing it. Wonder if you had any alternate solutions?

[@fredriksarnblad4441]

I am wondering the same thing as I am thinking about getting the 136 model.

[@Chopbreaka]

Great video thanks. Can this roller be used with two kayaks ? I have two 34 " wide crescent kayaks I car top with a lot of effort and cussing. I'm wondering if I could use this system 🤔.

[@spiltmilt]

Yes kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHjUoniblrZnkMk

[@Chopbreaka]

Great thanks!

[@gameopsdk]

Apparently the showboat is out of stock till February, oh well.. lol

[@RolandBraswell]

Great video. Can you tell me the part name and number for that rack product? Thanks!

[@spiltmilt]

Its all linked in the bio

[@jglnyc6999]

Great Video. Very informative. I also have the AutoPilot 120 Kayak and I was wondering what you think of the Rhino Rack T-Load Mount RTL002 lifting system. Do you think that would work well with the AutoPilot 120?

[@spiltmilt]

Never used it before but I don't like the idea of having something in my way to unload and load items into the back of the vehicle.

[@jglnyc6999]

@@spiltmilt Ok thanks for your input. By the way, the advice you gave me awhile back regarding the ReBelPO4 lithium battery with blue tooth was spot on! I love that thang!!! Thanks again for all you do.....

[@brehry5958]

Any changes or improvements to this setup since publishing this video? I’m getting a topper for my Tacoma, so I’m going to haul my AP120 upstairs instead of using my truck bed/extender. From what I’ve seen so far, this looks like one of the most viable solutions for solo loading. I’m also considering the big catch saddles in combo with the Rhino Rack T-Loader. I’m hoping maybe your experience will break the tie.

[@spiltmilt]

Still using the exact setup. Working flawlessly.

[@jender7]

Thanks for the video! I was eyeing the same Load Assist option but saw that it only had an 88lb max weight. As the Autopilot 120 is around 125lbs.(minus motor and seat), are you at all concerned?

[@spiltmilt]

Rarely am I putting the entirety of the kayaks weight on the roller bar. I'm not concerned

[@martins.7175]

@@spiltmilt I also have the showboat…. Do you think if you had a Hobie pro angler 12/14 it would be comparable? This is the only thing that had been limiting me on pulling the trigger on a Hobie pro angler. Thanks in advance

[@bambarbia]

@@spiltmilt "Rarely am I putting the entirety of the kayaks weight on the roller bar." - what do you mean? Noone does that, and Yakima instructions say never do that, it is just so obvious. Yes, at the initial step you put 50% of the weight on Yakima bar, and another 50% on the ground, the same distribution while lifting it up, but starting at 3:11 till 3:15 it is 100% of the weight (122Lb!!!) put on Yakima. Here is the chart from Yakima: Weight: 50 lb/22.7 kg to 80 lb/36.3 kg Crossbar Spread: 30” to 38”/76 to 97cm Maximum roller extension: 24“/61 cm I plan similar load to Lexus RX 350; not sure between 106 and 120, and how easy is it to remove motor. Can you please confirm spread, extension, Yakima model which you use? Thank you!

[@mrb401]

Do you think you could still load it this way if a transducer was mounted? I know you use a portable in-water system but was wondering if this method could potentially move or damage the transducer. I can see it would be in the clear when initially resting the bow on the roller. But I’m wondering about clearing the crossbars while positioning, as well as the unloading process. Thoughts? Thanks

[@spiltmilt]

No I do not. At some point the transducer would get snapped off.

[@Thomas-tt6lf]

@@spiltmiltis there anyway to use a fish finder with this set up?

[@billvyse8847]

good day, i have just purchased a Autopilot 120 (have yet to pick it up), plus getting a 2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD crew cab SB 4x4, no roof rack installed yet but dealer info says 100 lb limit on roof rack? so am i screwed or is there a different rack system to use on Tacoma, thanks a ton

[@spiltmilt]

My vehicles rack limit is 120 lbs but I am over that limit. I've never had any issues.

[@mikesaki]

Nice video on the car topping. I’m debating between the autopilot 12 foot version of this kayak and the smaller 10 foot “powered by Minn Kota” version and because I have a small SUV like yours, I’m hesitant on the 12 foot because where I fish most often is a 5 hour drive. I’m assuming in Washington, most of the destinations you go are much closer. Do you find any issues transporting such a large kayak long distances?

[@spiltmilt]

I've taken it over the Cascades a few times 3-4 hour drives. No issues

[@mikesaki]

Thanks for the quick reply! You’ve convinced me. So I’ll probably go with the Autopilot! Sorry I don’t know your first name....otherwise, I’d be a bit more personal on my reply. I assume your first name might be Milt? :-).

[@SpicyAngler]

Thanks for this. It can be good solution for me. I have used to tow my Pescador pilot 12 on a trailer but I’ll go back to roof solution. My Pilot is 85lbs and 34” wide. Would the showboat 66 do the job? Also can I use this system on any crossbars roof ruck or do I need a compatible Yakima crossbars? Thanks David

[@spiltmilt]

You don't need Yakima factory bard. The showboat is compatible with a variety of rack systems and would be find in a truck as well

[@SpicyAngler]

@@spiltmilt thanks for the reply. So from the size weight point of my boat the showboat 66 will do. Should I use also the sweetroll of Yakima to support the kayak? What do you use? I saw they also have the deckhand ones and also the combination of handroll

[@AnimeNfish]

Hi i noticed the yakima showboat 66 is rated for 80lbs max and the autopilot 120 weighs much more and was wondering if you had any breakage? Do you car top the autopilot 120 with the showboat 66 often?

[@spiltmilt]

I have hundreds of times with no issues

[@AnimeNfish]

@@spiltmilt thank you!

[@elliotthiessen7492]

Do you think it's still doable without the roller?

[@spiltmilt]

Would be tough

[@globaltraveler2381]

How are you able to slide the kayak across the saddles? The issue I am having is that the kayak gets stuck on the anti skid pads on the rear saddles. Any tricks or techniques to overcome that?

[@spiltmilt]

The anti-skid saddles are supposed to be in the front. The sliding saddles are supposed to be in the back.

[@gerard2620]

Thanks, good video !! I have a couple questions....1. How far back is the roller bar extended from your rear cross bar (when it's fully extended out) ? 2. Is there a limit as to how 'far' the roller bar can be extended out towards the rear, and still be usable ? I ask because I have a Highlander with 'fixed' cross bar locations, that might be too far forward....Thanks !!

[@spiltmilt]

The bar stretches back to just about the same distance as my spoiler. They is a limit on how far back it can stretch but it will largely depend on where you place or have pre-installed cross bars.

[@gerard2620]

@@spiltmilt Thanks. My Toyota Highlander has pre-installed 'fixed location' cross bars. From my rear 'fixed location' cross bar to get back to the spoiler is about 42 inches (which is probably beyond the limit for the roller bar to extend out). I'm not sure this Showboat 66 would work for me, given that distance.......Thanks again !!

[@bambarbia]

Hi, thank you for the video! However, where is Minn Kota motor? Note that Old Town AutoPilot 120 weighs 122 Lb without seat and motor console, but Yakima ShowBoat 66 is rated up to 80 Lb *if crossbar spread 30”-38”*. Could you please explain that, is it easy to remove motor? And what is crossbar spread on your car? Video really looks very dangerous…

[@spiltmilt]

The motor is easily removable and stored in your vehicle. The crossbar spread is 36”. The full load of the kayak is only on the roller bar for less than a second. I’ve loaded and unloaded this kayak 200+ times with no issues. It’s not dangerous.

[@paulkuzia9236]

So when you strap the kayak to the suv are you attaching it to the rack or opening doors and running the straps under the roof? The 2 SUV’s I’ve owned with factory roof racks I believe are only rated at 75lbs. I wouldn’t want to over stress the attachment points and lose the kayak at 65mph!

[@spiltmilt]

Strapping it it the rack. The rack system on my RAV 4 is rated to 150+ lbs

[@sprmario123]

Any issues keeping your seat on while loaded?

[@spiltmilt]

Nope. Not a problem

[@MamboB]

Could you fit 2 of these on your cartop if they was offset on each side?

[@spiltmilt]

No it cannot accomodate two AP120's.

[@Orangei135]

Is there any setup that could cartop the 120 and a smaller kayak?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHjUoniblrZnkMk

[@savsongs1306]

Can I use this to mount an Olde Towne Camper 16 foot canoe?

[@spiltmilt]

You can absolutely use the assist bar. I wouldn't recommend saddles for a canoe. Get some bar warps and strap it directly to the crossbar.

[@brianmumford6468]

I see your kayak is registered. I didn’t know kayaks have to be registered. I just read the rules and if a boat is under 16’ with less than 10 hp it doesn’t have to registered in the state of Washington UNLESS it is operated on federal waters. Thanks for the great video. I have a pickup which I am going to outfit with a rack, but I still have to get the kayak up on it. I’m 99% sure the Old Town autopilot is going to be the kayak I buy when they become available.

[@spiltmilt]

I use it on the Columbia River and Lake Chelan (both of which are federal waters)

[@brianmumford6468]

Spilt Milt Productions I edited my comment too many times and left out the part that I fish at fisheries in the National Forest so I would have to register a motorized kayak as well. Didn’t know that (and probably wouldn’t have) until I saw the registration numbers on your kayak.

[@walkrshaw7244]

Always better to register the boat

[@SVaya2018]

I ❤️ fat girls🐟. Hahahaha, love that!! Nice video Tyler!!

[@tightlinesbassfishing]

Thanks for the video. After considering all the items it looks like your spending around $600 for the setup. Did you consider a trailer instead since the cost will be about the same?

[@spiltmilt]

$600 is still half what you pay for a decent trailer and hitch. Additionally trailer significantly reduce your gas mileage and the miles of gravel road I drive to reach my fishing access points would destroy a trailer in a heartbeat.

[@tightlinesbassfishing]

@@spiltmilt makes sense. Thanks for the reply

[@thomassteele8150]

Tyler, do you have any thoughts or opinions on how cumbersome or difficult it would be to haul the autopilot up steep boat ramps or over unimproved places on a kayak cart?

[@spiltmilt]

As long you get the cart center near the chair it's easy to pull up boat ramps. Would be a challenge on cobble or over logs and such. I pulled it 50 yards the other day no issue.

[@thomassteele8150]

@@spiltmilt awesome, thanks Tyler!

[@johnthehammer7702]

Nice video. I try to buy 136 and try to car top it. what is the hull weight of your 120? old town web says 128 lb, and other places list 85lb. not sure who is right.

[@spiltmilt]

It is 128 lbs.

[@johnthehammer7702]

@@spiltmilt checked earlier comments, i saw you replied 85lb to Dan M's question. What do you feel about the weight regardless what specs say (minus battery, chair, etc)? If it is really 128 lb, i guess i will give up autopilot and choose Hobie outback. Thanks for your time.

[@profereyes4465]

Do you leave your seat on when you load the kayak? Do you have any problems with it on the road?

[@spiltmilt]

I leave it on but cinch it closed. No issues

[@randomstuff53078]

what Suv is that

[@spiltmilt]

Rav 4

[@robertraudenbush8458]

I have a Pelican Catch Power 100, does anyone know if the Showboat 66 will work with the bottom of my boat ?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes it will work.

[@danm1319]

How much does the kayak weigh?

[@spiltmilt]

85 lbs

[@damkayaker]

Registering a "kayak" because it is motorized. hahaha.