Best Suggestions for getting 12’ Eclipse onto SUV Roof

Hello,

I have a Hobie TI which I enjoy very much but due to the weight, it requires two people to get it in and out of the water. I’d like a way to be able to get out on the water by myself and am interested in the 12’ Mirage Eclipse. I am a petite female at 5’3” and with a board weight of 48 pounds, I am concerned about being able to lift the Eclipse above my head and onto the cross bars of my Honda CR-V without damaging the board or my car in the process. Does anyone have any suggestions of how I can make getting the Eclipse on and off the top of my SUV an easy / easier process? I thought the Yakima Showboat 66 which extends backwards and has a wide roller would do the trick, but they seem to be out of stock everywhere so I am not sure if it has been discontinued. I also watched some YouTube videos where people used a small roller that suctions onto the back windshield. Does anyone have experience with those (do they suction and roll well)? Any other suggestions for getting the Eclipse on top of an SUV would be welcome.

Thank you.

There are kits that add a bar to slide out to the side. You place the board on a pad next to he car. Lift one end onto the bar sticking out next to the car. Then lift the opposite end of the board ont the rack. Then slide the board off the extension and onto the rack.

Rhino side loader: Hobie SKU 72040011

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thank you for the suggestion, Matt. I am looking into whether that set up will work with my cross bars.

In the meantime, do you have any thoughts on a roller bar that suctions to the back windshield? Do they tend to work / stay adhered to assist with loading and unloading from a car / SUV’s roof?

I have not used on. Seems like they would. Question would be stress on the window. Risky maybe, but OK if careful.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thanks for your thoughts, Matt.