Kayak mount?

[Aquinnah]

I'm looking to mount a kayak to the pilothouse roof of my 2520XL to keep on hand for flyfishing skinny water, getting to the beach, etc. I could probably just tie down on foam blocks and secure to rails but would like a cleaner, more permanent solution. I suspect I could modify car rack brackets ( a la Thule or Yakima) but don't want to reinvent the wheel if someone has done this before.

 

[Megabyte]

That will be a project for me this spring as well. :wink:
I need to find room for a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Angler.

Hopefully we can compare project notes.

 

[Themis]

Kevin,

Amazing. Even asthetically your kayak will complement your boat.

 

[Aquinnah]

Decided to go the easy route. Secured kayak on top of foam blocks to the roof rails with bungees and tie down straps. Topped off with locking kayak cable (not pictured.) Also added (post-picture) a piece of pipe insulation around the base of the VHF antenna in case any shifting causes the kayak to rub. It's been fun so far this summer for exploring when anchored. Might still look into a prefab kayak cradle but hate to drill into the roof if I can avoid it.

 

[dcunniff]

I just put mine in the cockpit and put the foam at the vertical back walll of the cabin to brace and soften it while going.

Not as big as other kayaks, my wife has a Heritage Dolphin, not even 10' long. I had her keep it short so it would not be bulky. Only gets used in coves, harbors, rivers, etc.

I don't have a good shot of it in the boat, but I'll get one sometime.

Dana

 

[Megabyte]

Pet duck Dana? :lol:

I don't have a shot on the boat either.
Thus far, I just set it in the cockpit with the nose tucked under the port helm seat (one advantage of having an open-back).
It's a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120, and this is how it gets stored at home.

 

[dcunniff]

Megabyte, two weeks ago when we took the kayak on the boat, the kayak was drifting behind the swim platform and we were rafting with three other boats, when two ducks decided they liked the kayak.

Here's another duck shot, two views.

I saw your garage setup before. She leans her kayak in the cellar against wood shelves. She likes her kayak, and as I said I like it because it is about as small as you can go.

Heritage was a RI company and she said this week a NC company bought them.

Dana