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Yakima Rack-And-Roll + Hobie Cradles Implementation
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=57029		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  PeteCress [ Mon Mar 07, 2016 10:52 am ]
Post subject:  Yakima Rack-And-Roll + Hobie Cradles Implementation
Probably wretched excess, but here is a link to a bunch of pix that might be useful to somebody else setting out on this little venture: https://picasaweb.google.com/1081497986 ... ackAndRoll

It's obviously not rocket science.... but I did spend a couple of days fiddling around getting everything "Just So"....

Bill of Materials:

  • Three pressure-treated 2x4's,
    .
  • Two 4" galvanized hex bolts
    .
  • Two 5.5" galvanized hex bolts,
    .
  • Four galvanized right-angle brackets
    .
  • One set of pre-September 2015 Hobie cradles (the ones with the tapered fore cradle and not just two iterations of the rear cradle)
    .
  • One 66"/200# capacity Yakima Rack-And-Roll trailer.

The 2x4s just lay on top of the Yak's crossmembers, having been slid under the Yak's roof rack bars.

Fore-aft movement is constrained by a section of 2x4 at each end held in place by galvanized right-angle brackets.

If/when I want to revert the trailer, 4 bolts let me remove the roof rack bars and lift off the whole cradle/2x4 assembly.

If lateral movement becomes an issue, I will deal with it then, but I am not expecting it to be a big deal....and it's not that hard to push the unladen assembly left or right.

If racking of the cradle/2x4 assembly becomes and issue, I will screw a small sheet of 1/4" ply to the 2x4's...... I did this on my breadboard implementation, but thought I would get away without it on the final implementation.

My primary concern is rub wear by the wood against the trailer's alu....... Hopefully this will be mitigated by the rubber that Yak puts in the channels on the top of the cross members........ Time will tell....

Don't be distracted by the white PVC covering the Yak roof rack bars: that's just to facilitate carrying the hull upside down without the cradles...... has no function at all with the cradle implementation.



FWIW, I am not totally in love with the Yak trailer.

It was attractive to me for four reasons:
  • Basic elegance/cool-looking-ness
  • Turnpike-speed safety
  • Ease of moving around by hand on my lawn.
  • Compact storage

It delivers on all of the above, but, in retrospect, I think I might have been well served by Hobie's Trailex trailer for $500-$700 less (depending on model) - especially with it's lower loading height and dunk-tolerance.

OTOH, with the Rack-And-Roll, I can see the boat in my rear view mirror and it seems likely that it would not be visible if it were on the much-lower Trailex trailer.

OTOOH, to get turnpike-speed reliability, I think I would have had to replace the Trailex's 8" wheels with 12" wheels and that might have bought it up to where I could see it in the rearview mirror.
Author:  uspmd1 [ Wed Apr 13, 2016 6:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Yakima Rack-And-Roll + Hobie Cradles Implementation
Nice job Pete

I like the looks of this trailer as well as the motorcycle wheels and suspension with 4 in. of travel

My only concern is the Ti is so long, adapting it to that distance and still have it fold up to store
in the garage is a concern, I thought the Malone might be a better fit, I just don't like the suspension or 12 in wheels
As for the height of the trailer that's no concern as I have been SUV topping it solo for almost 2 years, Dont want
her to get hurt helping, (She has a weak back)

Image
Author:  PeteCress [ Thu Apr 14, 2016 5:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Yakima Rack-And-Roll + Hobie Cradles Implementation
uspmd1 wrote:
.. I have been SUV topping it solo for almost 2 years
Image
That is quite impressive.

Do you load the whole enchilada - i.e. main hull with amas/akas attached? ..... Or do you take it apart and load them separately.
Author:  uspmd1 [ Thu Apr 14, 2016 8:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Yakima Rack-And-Roll + Hobie Cradles Implementation
I did load the whole thing about three times, have been disassembling ever since, it takes me about 15 min longer than my friends who use trailers
Author:  uspmd1 [ Fri Apr 15, 2016 6:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Yakima Rack-And-Roll + Hobie Cradles Implementation
I justify loading atop because we travel to Tahoe (not very trailer friendly), Newport beach and other locations 4 to 5 times a year.
Once up on the Expedition I can forget about it, no wind or speed problems, its not going anywhere, However I do also see the benefits of a trailer(mush less effort to load after long day sailing or even 2 days) And I must admit I am getting older, 2 years away from 60 (yikes) Still seeking the perfect trailer!
Author:  PeteCress [ Fri Apr 15, 2016 6:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Yakima Rack-And-Roll + Hobie Cradles Implementation
uspmd1 wrote:
...And I must admit I am getting older, 2 years away from 60 (yikes)
That's a pretty good age to be: if you have kept yourself up half-decently, people are marvelling about how great you look for your age - and you still have most of your strength/endurance/flexibility.
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