Kayaking For Seniors - Transporting Your Kayak - Episode 5

You are not going to do any kayaking for seniors if you cannot get that best kayak for seniors to the water! I show the easy way to transport a kayak by yourself on an SUV and a truck bed. You need a roof rack for the SUV and there are a few tips on how to load kayaks on a car and truck. Senior citizens can handle all the approaches to loading I show.
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The bottom line is that you must make your own judgment and not rely on the opinions expressed here.

[@loustoneberger8921]

I’m 70. I FULLY support getting a trailer. A used trailer can be modified. I don’t think anysenior would regret the purchase. My wife appreciates it because she was my helper

[@RogerFordTheSmilingBassHole]

I haven't invested in a trailer yet. But I'm 70 too, and if I DID get a trailer, I could even go to the Hobie Pro Angler 14 -- bigger, more room, but really heavy! And my PA 12 is heavy enough!

[@jimwhite1557]

I remember being impressed the first time you aired these videos. Launching ramps are always good places to hang out if you want to laugh. At my street end I get to see some very ingenious ways to transport kayaks with cars as well as SUVs and trucks. It is nice having the larger roofs of SUVs, though. Most of our visitors have two or more kayaks and people to help with them. Watching them get in and out is a hoot, too.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I watch a youtube channel that shows the nutty things at Florida ramps. Soooo many trucks pulled into the water!

[@rioseventytwo1121]

These are brilliant tips. I am a senior woman and was worried about how I would load, transport and unload my kayak when I purchase it. You have completely relieved my mind. TYSM! I was about to buy an inflatable, which really wouldn't serve my purposes.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Great to hear!

[@BobBohner4851]

Super ideas Steve

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Glad you like them!

[@retnav92]

I've used the steep ramp tip, and it worked great. 👍

[@RogerFordTheSmilingBassHole]

Me too! Great suggesting!

[@beverlyc.8175]

Thanks, Steve. You convinced me to get a trailer!

[@garyscott982]

This came t the exact perfect time. I am 78 and have a Topwater pdl 106. Putting it into my Ram1500 was darn near impossible for me. These tips especially the 2x4’s in the bed to level the kayak are going to keep me fishing longer. Thank you.

[@glennrobbins2372]

I have a Ford Taurus with a roof rack and J racks mounted. Since there is a bow in the roof, I took pipe insulation and put it on the J racks so there's more padding for the kayak. Luckily my Tamarack is only about 60 pounds at most so I grab it by the middle handles and put one end and then the other or if my friend comes along we help each other unload.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Great tip! Thanks

[@ronski50]

Great idea about the paracord thru the scupper hole to load the yak on the truck 5:19. Since it's supporting only a partial weight of the kayak, there's little chance of damaging the scupper hole. I usually grab the hatch strap held by only a rivet all the while worrying that the rivet will eventually come off.

[@vladlock]

great

[@pohukai3216]

Nice video. At 64 I had similar challenges with my 17ft sea kayak and my SUV that has a fiberglass lip over the rear window preventing me from using your 'rug' method. So, I modified a bike rack that fits into my towing receiver (I see you had one as well). It fits into the receiver and is basically a 'Y'. The vertical piece is about 4 feet. Then, I lift the bow of the boat into the 'v' and hold a stern line to keep the boat from sliding off. Then, walk back to the stern and lift up (like you did with the rug'). It works well and allows me to load/unload by myself. I wish I had done this when I was younger anf not as wise.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

thanks for that tip!

[@electriceye683]

Great ideas

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thank you! 😊

[@davesorenson6401]

Hey Steve, I have the harbor freight bed extender for 12 ft tarpon 120 and my 5 ft Tacoma bed. It's another option especially when you get the 20% off coupon.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Great point!

[@FrankLadd]

I love the rug or bath matt method but it often blows off in heavy winds, before I can get the kayak up on it. I feel like a need a heavier rug or may I should glue some weights to it.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

My buddy used a rug with heavy rubber backing... maybe that will help

[@2reelyakrz481]

Wow!!! Where do you get those pixilated plates? 😂🤣😂

[@KayakhacksFishing]

lol! Back when I was trying different things with editing software

[@jons5898]

Some great ideas but who can afford two 2 by 4’s ? 😂😅

[@KayakhacksFishing]

True!

[@amyfreeze9772]

Have you done a vid on getting in/out of yak? Especially for sit in's and at docks where the dock is more than 18" above the yak?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

lol! The challenge of getting out of a sit in is the key reason to avoid them. I discuss this at around 2:20 in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWnahpSjodN0obcsi=GYAvwH1m1gH-I0aE

[@retnav92]

I use a BooneDox T-Bone extender, and it now runs around $260. I recall it being [slightly] cheaper when I bought it back around 2016-2017 time frame. I'm guessing that two 2"x4"'s (right up there with eggs) these days might be as expensive as the T-bone. 😳

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Probably right! Before BooneDox came out with theirs, I got one from Harbor Freight

[@retnav92]

@@KayakhacksFishing Harbor Freight has some good deals on occasion. I went with the BooneDox T-bone due to its curved design. My driveway entrance has an incline to it, and the curve keeps the extender from dragging the concrete. I can also break-down the T-bone and safely stow it inside my truck while I'm on the water.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

@@retnav92 Great points! Something people should consider.

[@RogerFordTheSmilingBassHole]

Love all the tips! I frequently use the tip regarding a steep incline -- it works! I have a Boonedox bed extender for my kayak. I do love it! It's make of aluminum (the first one I had was steel) and so much lighter. And I use the strapping method that ensures the kayak cannot slip off the bed. Love all the ideas with the 2x4s. You have great engineering skills! Here's the tiedown method: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKbcZ4SwaJZ6lZo

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for the link!

[@RogerFordTheSmilingBassHole]

@@KayakhacksFishing Thanks for another excellent video!

[@jelly_fishing]

Nice video. I carry 2 kayaks on my bed mounted sideways - any suggestions to make this easier ? I have a bed extender to help with the length. Please let me know thanks

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Unfortunately, no. My buddy and I put ours on top of each other. - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqKoh5xpe6qsqrM

[@tinalovio4290]

Thank you so much. I paddle board, but want a kayak that is at least 10’. I have a big ol’ Expedition and my family tease me about not being able to lift a 40# bag of chicken feed so how will I lift a kayak 😕.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

lol! In terms of length, be sure to get a kayak that is around 12 feet. The 10 footers do not track well.

[@judymitchell9863]

Did you DIY those “boon docker” wheels for transport?????

[@KayakhacksFishing]

No, it was a commercial product. I do not recommend it after using it for 7 years. The mounting requirement puts it too far back from the center of gravity. You do need some kind of kayak cart, not that one.

[@MrOzzy281]

What would you say is an acceptable overhang off your tailgate?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

My opinion, based on nothing but instinct, is that the center of gravity of the kayak should be at least a foot away from the end of the tailgate. There should be a rachet pulling on each side of the kayak to pull the center of the kayak firmly to the front.

[@aaronwism]

#1 use a trailer for heavy kayaks PERIOD!!!Yeah a piece of carpet is going to make it simple??? How about lifting it?? Ehhh wrong!! Not simple it sucks!!! Hard as hell to lift !!!! Who wants to paddle for hours and come back and lift it up on the roof again??? Nit me… Second keep your kayak off the ramp unless you got a trailer!! This is why boaters hate kayaks!!!..

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good points!