SonomaGary

Once I get my roof rack crossbars replaced, I want to buy a 13 foot Ocean Kayak Trident Angler and wondered if any of you have had any experiences with cross bar attachments to hold a kayak to the RX? Thank you.

Rainbird

Do a "search this forum" using the keyword kayak. There has been prior discussion and solutions for this. I also recall that you can't open the rear hatch with a kayak on the roof.

DennisR

I got the Thule Hull-a-Port PRO model 835PRO to carry my 17.5' kayak. It attaches to the factory aero crossbars. However, during a recent trip into Montana with some gusty crosswinds the forward rack slid towards the outside of the crossbar. There is quite a aerodynamic load on a kayak at 70 mph. I think I should have bought the Thule cross bars with a similar rack.

A good thing about this rack is that instead of carrying the boat flat, it tilts the boat on its side. This allows a reasonable rear hatch opening (I did hit my head a few times, but you learn). And the spoiler was a scratched a bit.

SonomaGary

Multiple kayak dealers have advised me to carry a kayak flat, bottom side up because it, 1) provides less aerodynamic drag and actually pushes the kayak down toward the roof instead of lifting it, 2) gets less crosswinds that will want to push kayak to the side like yours did, 3) the bottom is the toughest against road rocks, etc, 4) exposes topside of kayak to less UV exposure which it gets plenty of while in use on the water. I wish you had put in a front end pic too to see how you approached tie down there. But again thanks. BTW I'm leaning towards a 13' 5" Hobie Revolution so I have full options of paddle, peddle and/or sail.