Are there any other kayakers in here?

[NightWatcher]

I'm a sea kayaker and I have a 14' necky zoar sport.
Here's my problem, I also have a Toyota Corolla and I live in a duplex. Does anyone here use any rack that is not a permanent yakima or thule system? I am having trouble finding a temp rack that I can remove that will work for such a long boat. I also need to come up with some way to store the boats outside or suspend from the side of my house.

[benEzra]

1. Yes!

My wife and I have an Old Towne Dirigo 140. We hang it from the ceiling of our garage when it's not in use. I put two eyebolts in the ceiling (into the ceiling joists), about 7 or 8 feet apart. The kayak is suspended sideways from the eyebolts by two cargo tiedown straps. One strap for each eyebolt, both ends hook into the eyebolt and I just lift the kayak and tighten the strap to hold it at the desired height. It is high enough to walk under. To keep the hull from sagging, we alternate bow/stern each time we hang it. You could probably do something like that under your eaves (or make a frame), but you'd need some padding and another strap to keep it from swinging in the wind and banging your house if it's outdoors.

Cartopping is a problem, as you say. We're lucky to have a medium-sized utility trailer; I just made some cushy supports at the front and rear of the trailer, and strap the kayak face-down atop the supports with cargo straps.

I don't know how much you're looking to spend, but you can get a lightweight kayak trailer suitable for towing by a Corolla, install a receiver hitch (Reese type, either from the Toyota dealer or aftermarket) on your car (the ball and extension pull out when you're not using it, so it doesn't look tacky), and tow the boat instead of cartopping it. Be sure to get a trailer designed for kayaks, though; most non-kayak trailers are sprung too stiffly and would bounce it too much. Most of the single-kayak trailers are light enough to be used as launch dollies, once you get there. There are some really cool kayak trailers advertised in Canoe and Kayak, I think.

If you got a trailer and don't have a garage, you could always put some tiedowns in your back yard and store the boat upside down on the trailer, with a tarp over it on spacers, and the trailer tied/chained down to prevent wind damage and theft.

[riverwalker]

2. my Necky arrives tuesday

A blue Manitou Sport. My first kayak, total newbie, but it's now or never. My biggest obstacle will be getting it on and off the top of my Forester alone. It's 44# but the lightest I could afford without going composite.
I am a 5'2" woman and of a certain age. ;) But I did alot of research and with a kayak cart, and Thule rollar rack systems, and a step stool, I think I have it figured out.
If no one hears from me after tuesday, I'll be lying in my yard behind my car crushed under a blue kayak.
:silly: