Yesterday I brought the kayak home - it is a 2011 Tempest 170 mango - like new- I don't know that there was a scratch on it. I wrapped the kayak in pallet wrap to keep the road's salt and grit from ruining the surface. That worked really well. I am using the Malone Stax Pro kayak holders on my FJ. That setup works great and held the kayak solidly in place. I will probably have to take the rack off every time because there is not enough clearance on the garage opening but that is easy to do.
Bad News...so all went well till I got home and tried to take the kayak off the roof rack myself. Since the Stax kayak holder had the kayak up on edge I tried rotating the kayak from one end so that it would be flat so I could roll it off the back of the vehicle but when I did that it initiated a rolling action and because I was at the stern of the kayak there was no stopping it and it rolled right off the roof onto the cement. Ohh! that hurt. I tried so hard to baby the kayak and then have that happen was disheartening. Damage report: not sure - the only damage that is visible is a rough spot on the hull keel. I hope that is the extent of the damage - it was cold so I am hoping the plastic wasn't cold enough to cause hair line fractures.
I will certainly be positioning the kayak further to one side so there is no way that will happen again.
One surprise was that it looked shorter than 17 ft when out in the open or even on the vehicle - I was expecting it to extend further in front of the vehicle. However, once in the garage it looks very long.
I am using Seattle Sport cradles and screwed those into the studs of the garage - low to the ground so it is easy to place and is off the ground - this low hang makes it easier to walk by as well. There is just enough room to get into and out of our car.
Bad News...so all went well till I got home and tried to take the kayak off the roof rack myself. Since the Stax kayak holder had the kayak up on edge I tried rotating the kayak from one end so that it would be flat so I could roll it off the back of the vehicle but when I did that it initiated a rolling action and because I was at the stern of the kayak there was no stopping it and it rolled right off the roof onto the cement. Ohh! that hurt. I tried so hard to baby the kayak and then have that happen was disheartening. Damage report: not sure - the only damage that is visible is a rough spot on the hull keel. I hope that is the extent of the damage - it was cold so I am hoping the plastic wasn't cold enough to cause hair line fractures.
I will certainly be positioning the kayak further to one side so there is no way that will happen again.
One surprise was that it looked shorter than 17 ft when out in the open or even on the vehicle - I was expecting it to extend further in front of the vehicle. However, once in the garage it looks very long.
I am using Seattle Sport cradles and screwed those into the studs of the garage - low to the ground so it is easy to place and is off the ground - this low hang makes it easier to walk by as well. There is just enough room to get into and out of our car.