Tail Bone Saver

Since I live within 5 miles of several lakes, rivers and put-in sites I cartop my Outback right side up on foam blocks. I load it by dropping the stern keel on the ground and lifting the prow up onto a simple roller system that I built. I noticed however that due to rubbing the stern keel on gravel, concrete, asphalt, etc during loading that I was developing a bad case of "road rash". Farther, on several occasions the rear started to slide backwards as I was raising the front - puts quite a strain on an old back. I worked out what for me is an easy and effective solution. I went to the home improvement store and bought a cheap (about $5) pair of rubber knee pads. I then replaced the included elastic strap with a bungee. It works great - no rash and the yak tail stays where I put it. However, please remember to remove the pad before you put in. Believe me - leaving the knee pad in place does NOT improve your speed, your steering, or anything else. Following pics should explain.

Great Idea! Thanks for Posting.

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2010 Hibiscus Adventure Island

Excellent solution! I've been using a small carpet square, but occasionally put it too far away. With your idea, the cushion is always in the right spot.

+1 Clermont. Now I don't need to get that piece of carpet from a friend. Thanks.

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Tim
'09 Adventure, Golden Papaya, Turbo Fins, Large Sailing Rudder, Turquoise Sail, Grey Haired Kayaker, ...

EXCELLENT IDEA!

I have been using my PFD as recommended by Yakima Roof Racks in the instructions for the Boat Loader. The PFD slips occasionally and yes rough on the back loading a revo up onto roof of an Xterra.

I am going out to get me some knee pads!!!
KUDOS where due Clermont7.

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I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

Revo are you using the Yakima Hully Rollers? They really work. I use Mako mouts on the front.

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Tim
'09 Adventure, Golden Papaya, Turbo Fins, Large Sailing Rudder, Turquoise Sail, Grey Haired Kayaker, ...

I carry two kayaks on the side on top of my Xterra so the hulley roller was not an option. The Boat Loader was a good idea but the mounting brackets lifted the kayak too high off the rack to be stable. I could not use the conoe mount method (brackets under crossbar) due to the storage bin at front of rack. I use a yakima nissan kayak carrier (inverted "v" pipe) and the middle of the yaks lay between the crossbars.

I had to remove the boat loader and cannot use it.

I put a towel over the rear roof of the Xterra and put bow on towel stern on a pfd on the ground (to prevent slipping) lift stern and slide yaks up onto truck. In windy conditions a run a bow line rope through the front rack & back to me to keep the bow on the rack when doing a one man loading.

The knee pad is a far better idea than the pfd. I like it!!!!

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I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

Clermont7 said:


And trust me - neither does forgetting your wheels still in the scuppers.

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Roger
http://www.aldenofsunapee.com/
http://www.NEKF.com/