Storing Fishing Kayak w/o compromising Solar Panels

[slocdog]

Trying to decide on the best sit-on-top fishing kayak (<11') storage solution with a Promaster long wheel base (not sure if extended yet) and ride improvement kit.  3 options I see are:

• Top mounted (solar shading)
• Side mounted
• Hitch mounted (rear, vertical kayak)

Top mounted is problematic with planned 2 max fans and solar panels mounted on a rectangular roof box spanning the top width. Removing kayak just to not shade the solar panels seems PITA. In addition, roof box + solar panels + suspension/large tires + kayak height might exceed the 14' min bridge height. 

For the side mounted solution, I wonder about problems with:

• Drivability (parking, manuevering)
• Durability (not sure if the rack would hold up)
• Vibration

For the hitch solution, I'm not sure if the kayak can take the vibration in that position. If the weight hangs on the nose...and vibrates a lot....
Also, this blocks off the garage I plan to put in the back of the van (rear doors must open).
The best solution I saw was only for Sprinters but it had a hitch extension on passenger side and a hinge so the entire rack can swing out and you can access rear doors and the garage.
In addition there may be a height issue as a 10'7' kayak plus 2 feet of hitch clearance + suspension/large tires could come close to 14'.

Any help on this would be appreciated. Looking in particular for input on kayak durability in the hitch situation and side rack experience.

This site had the hitch-no-garage-access solutions.
[font=DDG_ProximaNova, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_0, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_1, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_2, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_3, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_4, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_5, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_6,][font=DDG_ProximaNova, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_0, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_1, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_2, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_3, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_4, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_5, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_6,]https://vertiyak.com[/font][/font]

[font=DDG_ProximaNova, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_0, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_1, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_2, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_3, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_4, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_5, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_6,]Here's the video with the swing-gate approach (garage/rear door access): [/font]
[size=small][font=DDG_ProximaNova, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_0, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_1, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_2, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_3, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_4, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_5, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_6,]

 

[Gypsyjoe#1]

Top mounted is problematic with planned 2 max fans and solar panels mounted on a rectangular roof box spanning the top width. Removing kayak just to not shade the solar panels seems PITA. In addition, roof box + solar panels + suspension/large tires + kayak height might exceed the 14' min bridge height. 

For the hitch solution, I'm not sure if the kayak can take the vibration in that position. If the weight hangs on the nose...and vibrates a lot....
Also, this blocks off the garage I plan to put in the back of the van (rear doors must open).
The best solution I saw was only for Sprinters but it had a hitch extension on passenger side and a hinge so the entire rack can swing out and you can access rear doors and the garage.
In addition there may be a height issue as a 10'7' kayak plus 2 feet of hitch clearance + suspension/large tires could come close to 14'.

I was a truck driver for most of my adult life, and I can tell you, if you are worried about 14' you better rethink. Without special permit 13'6" is the legal limit for a semi and I have been pulled over in Colorado by the DOT for being over height with my trailer. I don't know the law for a personal vehicle, but I don't believe it would be any different than for a tractor trailer. from the sounds of it your best solution is the side mount. If you go with that measure that first as you are only allowed 102" before you have to be considered a wide load where you would have to placard front and rear and possibly have to have a escort.

 

[abnorm]

One 'yak ?.......my vote High on the Driver SIDE of the van

 

[bullfrog]

First of all have you purchased or used a kayak for fishing much and have you picked one up loaded to transport to the water. I would suggest you look at a round fishing skiff like the Ultraskiff. They are made to be carried in a hitch rack which could be made to swing away pretty easily. Some have a raised ridge around the diameter that allows you to roll them easily on their side to the water. I have had several kayaks and presently have a 14’ X-Factor that has been modified slightly. Even it is not as stable as I would like although out riggers are possible it still wouldn’t be as stable as an Ultraskiff. Most fishing kayaks are wide for stability that makes them heavy. Most end up being trailered as a result. Even then getting from the trailer to the water isn’t easy. I have a dolly strapped on top rear of mine so I can simply flip it over once in the water. One person built out a storage compartment under his bed that was lengthwise inside his that was open when he opened the rear doors so he could slide it out but again we are talking more than 30” wide. Anything on the side or top is asking to be damaged. The round skiffs solve all the problems for most fishing situations. You might even mount a swing up solar panel on the skiff! Hope this helps.

 

[highdesertranger]

if you ever plan to do off highway driving anything mounted on the sides is going to be a problem. highdesertranger

 

[stimpy17]

After thinking about the same problem I started looking at inflatables (kayak, dingy). There are several out there of good quality and price. I like the thought of not having to worry about hefting , worrying about theft, advertising I have money to spend on toys and that pesky storage problem. I guess that being stealthy isn't a consideration for you as it will be for me.
That being said I plan on using it for fishing and screwing around so I won't be shooting rapids or touring anymore. Hope this helps a little.

 

[bullfrog]

There are not many good solutions especially if you don’t like inflatables (the ones I would all have frames that take up a lot of space). There is on the Teardrops and Tiny Trailers site on the “foamies” forum a single seat folding catamaran that is light weight and fits on an ATV rear rack that could probably be mounted on a rear door spare tire rack or hitch mount swing away carrier. I had a custom car top rack that held 2 kayaks which converted into a deck that the kayaks could be ratchet strapped to that made it a stable catamaran I could stand up on that worked great. I guess you could make a raised rack that you could mount solar panels above but I stopped using mine because of physical and setup issues. I can’t imagine anyone doing that for long.

 

[skyl4rk]

The solution to your quest is a boat trailer.

 

[RoamerRV428]

rear vertical.
best bet.

you have a back of the van that 'has room' and strength for loading and more.  I would vertical that kayak.
inflate kayak will never be a sit on top solid    I kayak, get the KAYAK you want and make it fit the situation.

rear vertical is my call. just 'google rear vertical' kayak storage and you got tons of options.

 

[MrNoodly]

How big a part of your life is fishing/kayaking currently? Do you live to fish/kayak? Every day? Because if it's just something you do occasionally then hauling a kayak around gets old rather quickly. Any way you carry it will have drawbacks, and if those drawbacks aren't outweighed by your love -- your need -- to fish/kayak, you'll have this thing just taking up physical (and mental) space, inflicting its drawbacks. This is the case with any bulky item we want to have with us.

 

[bullfrog]

There are plenty of kayaks on Craigslist and cheap sales even free ones if you can use a heat gun. As I write this I know of several you could borrow or even repair and keep. Transporting one locally here only requires a cheap Harbor Freight dolly, a ratchet strap, a hole saw and a trailer ball on your vehicle. Several months of the year it would be too cold to use a sit on top for me. I would think if you were going to be in an area for a few months you could borrow or buy one then sell when it came time to travel on. Ask the locals in the area you are visiting about the possibilities. It doesn’t make sense to carry something you can’t use almost weekly with limited space.

 

[Ikigai]

I have the same issue...but more kayaks. My high roof van is just under 10', so even with kayaks on edge it will be well under 13', so double check your height. I was thinking either flexible panels on top of the kayaks or suitcase solar. I might do vertical for 9' boat, but I think that will be higher than roof mounted, so a longer boat I don't think would work well, but if your rig is that high maybe. I don't think it would hurt the boat, especially if you strap it down in 2 places like normal to take the load. No experience personally on that though. Let us know how it goes!!

 

[crofter]

You could use a trailer for the kayaks and the solar.
-crofter

 

[maki2]

There are usually places around to rent boats from if you are only going to go fishing now and again.

 

[slocdog]

First of all have you purchased or used a kayak for fishing much and have you picked one up loaded to transport to the water. I would suggest you look at a round fishing skiff like the Ultraskiff. They are made to be carried in a hitch rack which could be made to swing away pretty easily. Some have a raised ridge around the diameter that allows you to roll them easily on their side to the water. I have had several kayaks and presently have a 14’ X-Factor that has been modified slightly. Even it is not as stable as I would like although out riggers are possible it still wouldn’t be as stable as an Ultraskiff. Most fishing kayaks are wide for stability that makes them heavy. Most end up being trailered as a result. Even then getting from the trailer to the water isn’t easy. I have a dolly strapped on top rear of mine so I can simply flip it over once in the water. One person built out a storage compartment under his bed that was lengthwise inside his that was open when he opened the rear doors so he could slide it out but again we are talking more than 30” wide. Anything on the side or top is asking to be damaged. The round skiffs solve all the problems for most fishing situations. You might even mount a swing up solar panel on the skiff! Hope this helps.

I was thinking skiffs were more for motorized use and I'm looking to stretch my dollars by having the yak human powered and avoid the registration fee. Registration is pricy in CA.

 

[slocdog]

if you ever plan to do off highway driving anything mounted on the sides is going to be a problem.  highdesertranger

What kinds of problems have you been seeing?  Loose strap ends and vibration are obvious but are you saying that side racks don't secure well at highway speeds? Or is the problem you mention more to do with efficiency and gas mileage?

 

[bullfrog]

The UltraSkiff can be fitted with oar locks and rowed, in fact it is so stable you could probably rig up some type bicycle petal assembly.

 

[slocdog]

You could use a trailer for the kayaks and the solar.
-crofter

Yeah, but that brings in a bigger rig into the discussion. I really didn't see myself in a schoolie build or an RV.  It seems the larger you are, less parking opportunities and less free boondocking/stealth opportunities. Not sure how far to push that. On the other hand my tools could go in a trailer instead of the back of my van. I'll consider the trailer as plan B.

 

[slocdog]

There are usually places around to rent boats from if you are only going to go fishing now and again.

True, but I plan to retire and do this full time and hit disc golf courses and lakes, which seem to go together btw. Think I'd rather have my own rig and go out on the water when I find opportunities rather than wait/spend for a rental. Good to know, though.

 

[slocdog]

rear vertical.
best bet.

you have a back of the van that 'has room' and strength for loading and more.  I would vertical that kayak.
inflate kayak will never be a sit on top solid    I kayak, get the KAYAK you want and make it fit the situation.

rear vertical is my call.  just 'google rear vertical' kayak storage and you got tons of options.

I'm seeing rear vertical storage solutions with just a metal basket off the hitch and a veritical frame to hold the yak but the nose of the yak rests on a foam pad. Do fishing kayaks really stand up to that kind of abuse?  I know you can pop a scupper with a mud pole if you're not careful and I'm worried about the constant bumping around even if the yak stays in the rack.