Roof rack pads help protect you kayaks and boards from the knocks, scrapes and scratches they can pick up when moving kit on and off roof racks. The compression they give also allows straps to be tightened with less chance of damaging your kayak and give more contact area to stop your boat slipping. Pads are a really useful accessory, but with most only being the width of a surfboard kayakers often find themselves getting two sets. Luckily these Jet Greay roof rack pads from palm come in two sizes: 80cm for wide kit like kayaks and 50cm for the smaller stuff that you stick on your roof.

The pads are split down the length with generous length velcro straps to wrap around and hold the pads securely in place. As aero bar users, the generous proportions of the pads was really appreciated, allowing us to use them on the fatter aero dynamic roof bars.

Construction is foam core covered in what Palm describe as “tough ballistic fibre”. They certainly feel like a rugged product, as you would expect from Palm. They look sharp too, so you won’t feel the need to rip them off and tuck them away every time you take the kayak off your car.

Widely available, including here on Amazon

The post Palm 2017 Roof Rack Pads<input type="hidden" class="is-post-family-safe" value="true"> appeared first on Sitons.

A recent move made us take a long, hard look at our kayak collection. The back yard of our old office was a chaotic jumble of brightly coloured plastic that made is impossible to easily access the right kayak at any time. Something needed to be done… and we clearly weren’t going to get rid of any kayaks.
A decent rack seemed to be the answer, but we needed to find a solution:

Criteria

Scalable : We wanted to initially store at least six kayaks (preferably eight), but with the potential to expand if we decided to put more of “the fleet” into the rack.
Weather proof : The rack was to live outside and would need to survive our blustery coastal weather.
Simple : Building things isn’t our thing
Cost effective : We’d seen wooden racks for £1,000 but needed to find something cheaper

PVC plumbing fixtures to the rescue!

A little bit of googling brought up a number of people who had used PVC piping for kayak racks. Various designs, but nothing as ambitious as 6-8 kayaks. Being affordable, readily available and easy to construct we thought it worth a shot.
Looking at the options at the local B&Q I opted for 40mm ABS waste pipe. Possibly a little overkill, but I was hoping to go 4 layers high, so extra strength would give some rigidity. It also seemed to be cheap and readily available.
Here is the end(ish) result:

How I built it

I have to admit to doing one very nerdy thing.  I couldn’t quite figure out howmany fittings I would need, so I roughed the whole thing out in sketchup before I started so that I could count the joins.  Possibly an unneccessary step, but it helped me out.

With the rough design worked out I built one site of the rack first, a layer at a time, effectively making a cradle for each kayak. We get some quite broad kayaks from time to time, so I decided to make one half of the rack 5cm longer to accommodate those.

Adding additional layers I completed the left hand side..

Then added the right.  The top two layers only use the middle sections, so just two bars to support the kayak.  We often have smaller, ligher kayaks that will be fine on top like this and with no layer above the overall weight on the layer is less anyway.

Lessons I learned on the way

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, so  I’d just list some of the lessons I learned putting the rack together (there were more than I expected).
Forget the hardware shop: Hardware stores stock a lot less of this stuff, and replenish their stock less frequently that you would think. Way too many trips. Next time I would simply buy online from a plumbing supply specialist.
Cross pieces are hard to find: My original plan made use of a lot of X pieces. These don’t seem to be standard and none of the many stores I visited used them.  I did get some online, but resorted to using multiple T pieces in some cases.
Pipe is cheap. Fittings are expensive: Self explanatory
PVC pipe is really easy to cut: Even with my crappy hacksaw, each cut is only a few  seconds, so it does all come together quicker than you would think and makes you feel like a proper handy man.
Similar shape pieces are not similarly sized: If you do end up getting fittings from different stores then be prepared for the sizes to all differ (and really mess with your maths).  Another reason to order online from one store.
No adhesive required : I did buy some, but I ended up not using any.  Adhesive would probably have added strength, but it seems OK so far.
Build in sections: I found it easiest to build the rack in sections then fit those together.  I also then took it apart in the same way to move it.
Don’t get your kids to help : Seriously – it adds days

Potential drawbacks

Since we build the rack a few people have pointed out that it will probably go green and that I should have opted for black piping and fixtures. The rack also offers no security.  We can chain the kayaks to one another, but there would not be any point in locking them to the rack itself. Not an issue where this is heading, but might be for some.

The post DIY kayak storage : ABS pipe kayak rack<input type="hidden" class="is-post-family-safe" value="true"> appeared first on Sitons.

GoSea Extreme KTB – 80 Cradle Trolley

The post GoSea Cradle Trolley<input type="hidden" class="is-post-family-safe" value="true"> appeared first on Sitons.

Easy to inflate and attach to the roof of your car, these handy little racks are quite capable of carrying a big tandem sit on kayak or smaller surf orientated boat (we tried it with both) as well as surfboards, SUPs, windsurfing kit and any other type of saltwater toy you happen to own.

How it works

Webbing straps that are secured to each sponson slide through the passenger and driver doors and create a continuous loop through the interior of the vehicle before securing with an anti-slip locking system.

The fact that the straps enable the car doors to be closed adds to the security of the racks during use.

At first glance this may appear not ‘man enough’ for the job, but after travelling down the motorway with a kayak on the roof the proof is in the pudding.

It may be worth driving at a more conservative pace with a boat in transit but there’s no doubt that these racks will get you and your kayak safely to the beach.

HR20 roof rack features

The Handi Rack has a mini 12v pump included in the package which takes all the effort out of the inflation process and saves your lungs. A puncture repair kit is also included.

Each strut is made from durable high grade material fitted with super strong webbing straps that are up to coping with substantial loads.

One thing to note is that if you happen to get any type of sand or grit caught between the racks and the roof of your car then due to the slight play (movement or and flex) in the racks – which is inevitable with an inflatable product – it’s possible to put slight scratches in your car’s paint work. It may be worth putting an old towel in between your roof and the racks to prevent this from happening.

In use

Heading towards your favourite paddling spot with a kayak on top of your car supported by inflatable racks induces a slightly anxious feeling. After all, there’s something about solid metal that embeds more reassurance.

But, after a few journeys, all your fears will be laid to rest as the Handi Rack’s are more than up to the job.

The fact that you can easily detach, deflate and store these racks is a plus and will ultimately save on fuel costs as more traditional metal racking systems have a habit of staying put once fixed in place and do nothing for the aerodynamics of your vehicle – or your wallet!

Final thoughts

If you’re planning on taking up kayaking full time then you will definitely need to invest in a roof rack system of the metal kind as ultimately these will give a slightly more secure ride during transportation. But if quick sojourns to the beach or lake are going to be more your thing, or if storage is an issue, then these inflatable roof racks could be just the ticket – they also make a handy backup to their more rigid cousins – all in all they’re definitely worth getting hold of for an emergency or for a more cost effective option than the metal version.

More reviews / buy online at Amazon

The post HandiRack HR20 Inflatable roof rack<input type="hidden" class="is-post-family-safe" value="true"> appeared first on Sitons.

Whilst the idea of a brightly covered surfbus, stacked high with kayaks is a romantic one, the demands of my day job prescribe a more conservative set of wheels. (In fact, I drive a Volvo estate – possible THE most conservative set of wheels).  That means that, like most recreational kayakers, I rely on a roof rack to get kayaks from A to B(each).

A recent car upgrade meant the need for a new roof rack.  Although I’d always used Thule bars in the past, I had heard good things about Whispbar so decided to check them out.

Whispbar as not well known here in the UK, but that could be set to change.  They manufacture quality roof transport systems that keep style in mind.  Prices are on par with the big-brand too, so they are definitely worth checking out.

My criteria were fairly simple: Solid, quiet, not too ugly on my car and able to take a kayak carrier.  The obvious choice was the Thule WingBar, but some good reviews and favourable pricing let be towards the Whispbar Aero-X as an alternative.

FITTING

As always seems to be the case with roof bars, the foot pack is supplied in more parts that seems strictly necessary.  However clear instructions and supplied tools soon has the bars and feet assembled without too much bother.

My car has roof fails, although variants are available for those without, and fitting the bars to the car was simply done. Overall no more difficult than past Thule fits.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Aero-x is a good looking system and one that many won’t mind having atop their beloved motor. The bars feel solid and are chunkier than some other systems, but retain their elegance.  The first was good with less of the noisy air gaps that I had experienced with other systems.

The T slot on top of the bar is interesting. Rather than having a removable rubber strip, the strip is fixed beneath the lip. This allows you to fit accessories without removing the strip just by pushing it down.

IN USE

The bars slope inwards onto the roof. This helps with the look, but does mean that you end up with a narrower bar than if they were straight or “pass-through” style.  Not an issue if you are just moving a single kayak, but more challenging if you want to shift a kayak and a narrow roof box or two narrow hulls.

Because that innovative strip presses down with a kayak on it, you also are resting your kayak on metal rather than the higher traction of rubber, which can be a little disconcerting.

ON THE ROAD

Noise levels are good.  There isn’t much wind noise off of the bars at all, but you can pick up a whistle if the rubber strip doesn’t return flush with the metal bar.

IN SUMMARY

I’m impressed and I think that I made a good choice with the Whispbars.  I’m already planning to invest in the J-cradle to increase my roof capacity further.

The post Whispbar Aero-X Roof Bars<input type="hidden" class="is-post-family-safe" value="true"> appeared first on Sitons.

If you’re not fortunate enough to own a van (or mode of transport that can fit a sit on kayak inside) then you’ll be vrooming round town with your pride and joy strapped to the roof. While this is a perfectly acceptable method of transporting your sit on top to and from each put in this method isn’t designed for peace of mind. Especially if you happen to stop off for a post session beverage. Some may guffaw at the thought of opportunist struggling to manoeuvre a rotomoulded plastic kayak into the back of their getaway vehicle. And yet, teefing paddle sleds has been known to happen on regular occasion. 

So how to secure your kayak while popping to the shops briefly or grabbing a bite to eat between paddling sessions. Step forward KanuLock roof straps. Kanu what? KanuLock’s unique roof straps offer the option of locking down your kayak and make it much harder to remove. The straps themselves are impossible to be sliced with a knife – reinforced with stainless steel cables prevent this and the locking mechanism prevents them being undone. The KanuLock website reckons it take less than 10 seconds to nab a kayak. The brand’s straps completely prohibit this with not allowing boats to be slid from their secure position – peace of mind retained.

In practice

There are different lengths of straps to accommodate a wide range of water craft. You’ll need to choose which size you need otherwise your boat won’t fit. If in doubt our advice is to go slightly longer – even though this will cost a little more.

KanuLock straps are pretty easy to use – similar to any other standard set. Once in place it’s simply a case of locking with provided keys and heading off. We recommend keeping one key set on your car fob while the other should be stashed somewhere inside your vehicle – the keys are easy to lose.

No worries

Having secured our kayak we were perfectly happy to leave it on display with a reduced risk of theft. It’s always annoying having to hump your boat and the less this happens the better. We were happy to leave our sit on kayaks on the roof and go about our business.

Conclusion

If you have to transport any type of water craft on roof bars – kayak or otherwise – a set of KanuLock straps is a good idea. Having locked them in place you’re free to carry on with your business and not have to worry about your gear being stolen.

Price:

From £47.95

Available from: Supdirect, Amazon, Cygnus Sails and other good retailers.

Info:

Sturdy, robust and perfectly applicable for the job KanuLock locakable roof straps work a treat. If you need more keys then they can be purchased from dealers. Sitons was kindly supplied a set of KanuLock straps by Richard from Cygnus Sails – the UK importer – and Reuben May from Fatstick.

The post KanuLock Lockable Roofbar Straps<input type="hidden" class="is-post-family-safe" value="true"> appeared first on Sitons.

We love Railblaza’s C-Tug Kayak Trolley. It’s one of the most thought out kayak trolley’s we’ve used and as such gets a fair few outings.

You can read the original review here – C-Tug Kayak Trolley

With heaps of relish we were looking forward to trying Railblaza’s new C-Tug SandTrakz wheels – nifty trolley ad ons designed to make the whole kayak transportation exercise even more efficient.

Pimp your ride

It’s not uncommon to pimp your kayak ride. Those paddlers who like casting a line have been known to bolt a few ad ons to their sled. And even if you’re not into kayak fishing there’s always the opportunity to add bits and bobs to your boat, making it a more versatile craft in the process. What’s unusual is the option of switching up your kayak trolley. Most wheeled cradles come as standard, with little room to change things. We therefore doff our caps to C-Tug (Railblaza) who are trying to make such a (perceived) simple tool all the better.

Wheels go round

The first thing you notice when unpacking C-Tug’s SandTrakz wheels is how much bigger than their standard size siblings they are. And yet, they still fit through larger kayak hatches for simple storage while afloat.

With their extra girth alone transporting boats suddenly becomes a whole load (geddit?) easier. Weight is spread further apart and effort needed to haul craft is reduced. Not only that: SandTrakz wheels are designed to flex. Think in terms of standard air filled tyres warranting deflation when running over soft ground. With a pair of SandTrakz there’s no faffing with air valves having run into soft surfaces – such as sand and shingle. The squishy nature of the SandTrakz wheels, which mould to surfaces, makes for easy navigation across uneven soft ground. It’s surprising how well they work when Terra Firma becomes porous and squishy – domains usually non-conducive to kayak transport.

Well thought out

As we’ve already said C-Tug products are incredibly well thought out – the SandTrakz design is no different. Made from anticorrosive materials they’ll never rust and it’s a simple exercise of attaching them to the C-Tug’s chassis. We were a little sceptical whether there’d be enough clearance between the trolley’s cradle and the large diameter wheels when folded right down. While it’s certainly close there’s no catching and the SandTrakz are free to rotate thereby putting that anxiety to bed.

Conclusion

Railblaza, who manufacture both the C-Tug kayak trolley and add on SandTrakz wheels, need a huge pat on the back. By adding a pair of SandTrakz a whole new world of put ins lies waiting to be discovered. Standard C-Tug wheels, while certainly being efficient enough in their own right, aren’t a patch on the SandTrakz. Along hard surfaces they spread the load much more efficiently and when it comes to shingle, sand, mud or other soft landscapes their performance becomes even more obvious. As a result we couldn’t recommend these babies enough. Do yourself a favour, kayaks aren’t exactly feather weight, and anything that helps with transportation is a good thing. We can’t recommend SandTrakz enough.

Prices:

[amazon_textlink asin=’B01ELJHZ6W’ text=’C-Tug SandTrakz kayak trolley’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’sitonsoko-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’85c1b0c9-1235-11e8-a2de-4b838fc92011′] £129.94
[amazon_textlink asin=’B01BKF1LOC’ text=’C-Tug SandTrakz wheels (pair)’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’sitonsoko-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’ada442c7-1235-11e8-bcb1-af2f915409ce’]  £69.95

Info:

SandTrakz

Thanks to smgeurope.com who helped with this article.

The post Railblaza C-tug Sandtrakz Wheels<input type="hidden" class="is-post-family-safe" value="true"> appeared first on Sitons.

Here at Sitons.com we’ve tried a number of sit on top kayaking trolleys over the last few years – many of which have left us a little underwhelmed. Although we’ve seen C-Tug’s trolley we’ve never actually laid hands on one – it was only after reading a forum post that we had our memories jogged.

It’s all in the detail

Most sit on kayak trolleys are foldable metal affairs with a cradle for your pride and joy to lie on. C-Tug’s, however, take a different route. Firstly it’s manufactured from heavy duty and corrosion resistant plastic and secondly it features an easy to assemble/snap together frame that ensures storage, when not in use, is hassle free.

Imagine an X shape and that’s pretty much the design of the C-Tug chassis. Locking together with a simple push it’s then simply a case of slotting heavy duty wheels on axles and locking down the quick release pegs. This is all completed in a matter of minutes and shows there’s been a lot of thought put into the design. Two large articulating cradles give a certain ‘tuning’ element to the trolley and allow a snug and easy fit with whatever sit on top kayak you’re looking to transport. Durable and heavy duty straps are supplied which make securing your boat a doddle. The adjustable stand gives versatility to the C-Tug and means it won’t tip over – whatever surface you happen to be on. C-Tug’s livery, featuring splashes of luminous green, give it a funky look and only adds to the quality look and overall feel of the trolley.

Give it a tug

With the stand locked in place it’s easy to manoeuvre your sit on kayak into position ready for the journey to the put in. As with any trolley loading is key to a smooth trip and the C-Tug is no different. Too far forward and you’ll need muscles like a gym bunny to drag it to the water, too far back and you’ll be scraping the tail, shaving plastic like nobody’s business. With your boat perfectly placed, however, moving your sit on is pretty easy. The oversize all terrain wheels make short work of most surfaces. At times you’ll need to put more effort in the dragging process – such as when moving across sand – but it’s easier with the C-Tug than many other trolleys we’ve tried. The articulating cradles, and straps, work in tandem ensuring your boat never slips, no matter how bad a driver you are. Focusing on the job in hand – getting to the put in – is almost a joy with the C-Tug trolley.

Sitons has a number of different sit on tops and all were happy being transported via C-Tug trolley. The biggest and heaviest was actually the easiest to manoeuvre, or maybe it felt this way as we didn’t have to physically carry or drag it over shingle any longer! Having had a fun paddling session you’re usually spent so having something to help alleviate the strain of getting your boat back to your vehicle is welcome. Even with spaghetti arms it’s a lot easy transporting your sit on kayak with the C-Tug. Once back on the roof (or if you’re lucky to own a van, inside) one of the niftiest tricks with the C-Tug is the collapsible nature ensuring storage when not in use is super easy.

Conclusion

Sit on kayak trolleys are available in abundance, however, not all do an efficient job carrying your boat. C-Tug’s offering is by far the best we’ve come across. It’s unique and clever design, individual looks and versatile performance make it a cracking product that every paddler will appreciate

Price:

£109.95

Info:

www.c-tug.com/products/ctug

Check out the brand’s assembly vid below

And here’s their set up vid for using the C-Tug straps correctly

The post C-Tug Kayak Trolley<input type="hidden" class="is-post-family-safe" value="true"> appeared first on Sitons.