Carrying Adventure Island on Honda Element, tips?

Hi All!

I had many summers of enjoyment of my AI and now that I've changed cars to a Honda Element 2004
I'm looking for advise...The challenge is bringing the AI to the roof. And that's why I have not taken it
to the water this year.

I'm looking at the Thule Hullavator, but realistically the pricing is a bit out of my budget
The car doesn't have the roof racks so that adds to the numbers. I'm hopeful I will find something used online.

What do you guys owners of somewhat tall SUVs use for the AI?

Thanks a lot!

Marty

A trailer.

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

Lots of threads here on this subject, Marty.

Use the search function, and be sure to plug in "SUV from hell".

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

I car top because I mostly tow a Caravan.
I also had the advantage of being able to engineer and manufacture a good setup myself.
That means I was able to hide the cost of all the bits from the Mrs

I think you will be able to more easily find a second hand trailer.
And avoid having to lift the kayak some 70" onto the Honda Element will be easier.
If you can store the trailer.

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Cheers, Brian in South Australia
Tandem Island -

Thank you all!

Yes, the trailer would have been the best option, but I don't have too much space.
I found used Hullavators and the racks at a 3rd of the price today...just got lucky
Those would be the only ones useful to set the AI on top the Element.

Will post pictures once I get it all installed!

Marty

Huli-Vators (sic) are great ..




Getting the AI into them alone, not so much. This did work, but the tripod used was wayyyy to flimsy for the job .. and using this setup on a ramp trows off the tripod's balance.



I've headed the advice of Chekika and FusionEng - My usual "local" sails are all salt-water and unless your launch site has a hose, you WILL be giving your Huli-Vehicle a salt bath when you raise it up top (and this WILL cause rust issues ..).

This solves that problem



Yeah - they're not cheap .. and I probably wouldn't have gotten them except it turned out I had a friend who had a friend who worked for Thule so I got them @ like 60% off

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Alan W.

Papaya AI2 to replace my well worn V1
TheTwins - His/Hers 2007 Papaya Hobie Adventure Island's (v1.00.01)
.. and a Hobie Outback SUV

What is the make/model of that trailer? One of the SportsRig offerings?

_________________
2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]

If the Hullavators do not work out (mine did not for me, although they are just the ticket for my 40# surf ski), try a side-loader bar.

I dummied one up the other day and managed to get my AI up on the racks. Wasn't fun, and I wound up ordering a trailer... but it was doable and I'm in pretty poor physical shape - so it might be the ticket for somebody stronger.

_________________
2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]