Roof Rack for Heavy Fishing Kayaks: Yakima Big Catch Review

[@johnbruner9684]

Thanks Tyler for the review, just picked it up at my local yak store for my 120 PDL!

[@stewartmainville303]

Bought a friends old ‘05 RAV4 to rooftop my Radar 135. Bought a 10’ piece of 3” PVC, cut it in half and capped the ends. I had to cut slots for it to fit on the crossbars and another opening on top to fasten them down with 3” hose clamps. I also use bungee cord through holes to keep the spacing correct for the Radar. I like this method as it supports the kayak along more of its length.

[@wrmyers]

Can you send a picture of the pipe to crossbar mount?

[@flogonthier]

Hi, great video. Do you know roughly how wide spread your Yakima showboat bars are? Seems much wider than the recommended max of 32” (and at least wider than your topwater). Was that ever a problem for you?

[@Peter-zg3em]

purchased one to make sure i wasn't messing with any of the weight ratings with my 132 predator pdl. hoping the shape of the hull isn't an issue if i can get the saddles to spread out enough.

[@braydenpitcairn3843]

Excellent in-depth video! This helped tremendously and i'll be getting mine in the mail very soon!

[@everydayimagination3738]

Thank you so much that was big help I just purchase Old Town 106 PDL. Any tips would appreciated.

[@yomangi]

I believe if you move or stretch out the placement of the areo bars then the PDL should come into contact with the saddles.

[@johndalszysII]

I have the Big Catch for my Hobie Outback. It’s nice, however I wish the sides went up a big higher. If I’m on any kind of side incline I feel like the kayak is going to slide off the side of the vehicle.

[@hahmmo]

Great video, helped a lot! But isnt showboat rated up to 80 lbs? Any issue with loading?

[@spiltmilt]

Correct it is rated up to 80 lbs. With the drive removed the Topwater 120 is just a couple pounds over. I've not had any issues.

[@johndalszysII]

When you load onto the showboat, the full weight is never on the showboat. It shares the loss with the ground, then to the person, then to the roof rack.

[@czwest7845]

Thanks for such a very informative Video on yakima showboat and the Yakima Big Catch . Was looking at this for my 2021 Hobie Outback would this setup work?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes works great with an Outback

[@czwest7845]

@@spiltmilt Thanks!

[@kylesnyder8489]

Thanks for sending me this video, it was a big help

[@brucechin6900]

I have the same problem with my top water 120 pdl. How have the big catch saddles been working for you? Because of how flat the hull is, it seems like I can just load it on the cross bars themselves with some padding. What are your thoughts? .

[@spiltmilt]

They have been working great. If the Topwater was the only kayak I had I would do as you say and just use the crossbars but I have several other kayaks with more traditional hull designs. The Big Catch provides secure transport for both the Topwater and my Hobie Oasis and Old Town Predator.

[@brucechin6900]

@@spiltmilt Thank you for the feedback. It is appreciated.

[@chandlerschneider2067]

Hello! First off thanks for the great video! I do have two questions I’m hoping you can answer! Firstly, would this be a good kayak cradle for a Vibe Shearwater 125? Secondly, I drive a 2016 Toyota 4Runner with slightly curved crossbars. Would the cradle system still work even though they are slightly curved?

[@spiltmilt]

Should be great for the Vibe as it has a fairly flat bottom. As for the curved crossbars just center it up and it should be fine.

[@SpicyAngler]

Thanks for the video. I have couple of questions if I may. I have the Perception Pescador pilot 12 which is a bit on the bigger side- 85lbs and just shy of 34”. With the boat you have used on the showboat 66. I think some of them atleast the size and weight of my kayak. Showboat claims to up to 70cm boat and less to what I own in weight. Do you think with the big catch cradles I can work it fine with my boat? Thanks

[@spiltmilt]

It should handle it no problem. I use the same system for my Autopilot 120 that ways 120 lbs

[@686DMS]

Thanks for the very good and informative video. I have a Feel Free Moken 12.5 and I’m trying to figure out if it will clear the top of my truck cab. Can you tell me how high above the cross bars your boats sit with the big catch saddles? The Moken 12.5 has a very flat hull.

[@spiltmilt]

2"

[@686DMS]

@@spiltmilt Thanks! I appreciate it!

[@curtisg.8671]

Perfect video for my oasis. These look to be much better then the mako saddles.

[@samuelstrickland3678]

Are you leaving your big catch saddles on your rack when not hauling a kayak? If so do they add a lot of noise verses naked luggage rack?Thanks.

[@spiltmilt]

They add no additional noise. I leave them on

[@samuelstrickland3678]

@@spiltmilt Thank you for the quick feedback.Just got mine yesterday and directions made it sound as though they should be removed.Looking forward to using them with my WS Recon 120.

[@joshkliniske6766]

How do you like the Malone Airflow 2? I'm trying to decide between the Thule and these. Bought a set of Harbor freight ones and man do they howl!

[@spiltmilt]

I didn't like the Airflow. They were loud! So I flipped them backwards and that actually helped but eventually moved onto cheap square bars that make no noise at all.

[@WilldaBeast999909]

What square bars did you buy?@@spiltmilt

[@patrickdevereaux4735]

We have two Mayflys (35 inches wide). Have you used the Showboat 66 to load two kayaks on your roof at once ? Is it wide enough? Plan is to put them flat on the bars with pads and tie down. Would you agree ? Thanks and such a great video !

[@spiltmilt]

I've not loaded two. It will really depend on how wide your bars are and positioning of the saddles and rails on your vehicle. It will not work for two kayaks on my vehicle.

[@teop7887]

Awesome job! I've been thinking about buying these, your video helped immensely Cheers and Happy Easter!

[@ryanvanhoffen9723]

Thanks for the video. Would these clamp well to malone versarail? They are quite skinny

[@spiltmilt]

Yes should not be a problem

[@thereelaccountant9246]

What piece do you have in the back for leading?

[@johnnypea43]

Do you remove your transducer each time you fish?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes because it’s over the rail. Takes about 5 seconds

[@johnnypea43]

@@spiltmilt Ah, ok.

[@jfalbo]

Thanks so much for the video. My current challenge is that I have two Hobee's that I need to mount on top of a pickup truck camper. The only way that I can see to do that is to angle the kayaks. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

[@spiltmilt]

Two J-racks facing opposing directions ought to do it.

[@503SteelKill]

Can the Big catch be locked so someone cant just unscrew and walk away with them?

[@spiltmilt]

It has tamper proof hex bolts that lock the larger plastic hand bolts in place.

[@joncalvo3591]

How about putting the kayak top side down ?

[@spiltmilt]

Why?

[@josepharndt6061]

How do you deal with long antennas on top of your car and u got a wide Kayak

[@spiltmilt]

My antenna is short

[@josepharndt6061]

@@spiltmilt I got a new 2020 Dodge Journey

[@AnimeNfish]

Will this work for old town autolilot 120?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes.

[@robertraudenbush8458]

Does anyone know what I will have to have for a Pelican Catch Power 100 ???

[@spiltmilt]

The Pelican Catch weighs only 70 lbs these saddles will easily handle it.

[@lbccflytying9498]

Your cross bars are on backwards.

[@spiltmilt]

I know. I found they whistle less that way.

[@lbccflytying9498]

@@spiltmilt good. to know.

[@rapidsplash9339]

say thanks to so much for your internet video it aids a whole lot.

[@MrAcuta73]

I find it amusing....I have an Overlander rigged Ford Ranger...no Kayaks, but I suffer from the same issue of weight on the roof (water, fuel, and recovery). I can't connect with your specific issues, but I know the problem of weight and distribution. Unfortunately for me, no pre-made commercial answer.